Title: A review and a model for logistics clusters

Authors: Hui Han

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, Business Administration and Statistics, Technical University of Madrid (UPM), José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain

Abstract: While logistics clusters (LC) are developing rapidly, there is clearly a lack of consensus on term names and definitions within the field of logistics clusters, let alone a common model for the logistics regions hierarchy. This study systematically reviews and compares relevant terms, so that the subsequent issues can be answered: 1) What are key concepts about LC and related areas being described?; 2) What is the relationship between these terms?; 3) What are the limitations of current models for the logistics regions hierarchy? The paper first provides a content analysis of 153 carefully identified papers from books, edited volumes, conferences and journals. Then, based on the scope and the scale of logistics activities criteria, we propose a four-layer model for the logistics regions hierarchy. The proposed model is valuable in guiding scholars and practitioners to understand typology and hierarchy of logistics entities. Finally, this paper affords some guidelines on the direction of future research.

Keywords: logistics cluster; agglomeration; hierarchy model; literature review; content analysis; logistics centre; logistics hub.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2019.099662

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2019 Vol.33 No.1, pp.73 - 96

Received: 27 May 2017
Accepted: 19 Sep 2017
Published online: 20 May 2019 *

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