The influence of power and trust on modal shift from road

In the research project AKTSAM (Actor collaboration to realise modal shift of freight transport), financed by the Swedish Energy Agency, SSPA’s Sustainable Maritime Logistics team together with Linköping University have set out to explain how actor collaboration can facilitate increased use of rail and sea freight transport.

SSPA’s Sustainable Maritime Logistics team has long experience in modal shift research including the perspective of transport-buying companies, actor collaboration, increased use of sea transportation, and also inland and urban waterway transportation. In the AKTSAM research project both transport providers and companies sending and receiving goods have been interviewed and specific relationships studied in-depth.

— From our interviews we clearly saw several aspects of power and trust influencing the possibilities for modal shift, says Sara Rogerson, senior researcher in SSPA’s Sustainable Maritime Logistics team.

Aspects of power (coercive, reward, legitimate, expert and referent) and trust (contractual, competence and goodwill) influencing modal shifts were identified from interviews with shippers and transport providers in Sweden. Power was seen as important to initiate modal shift, while trust was essential for the modal shift to last.

— Both transport providers and shippers need to understand the importance in building trust for realizing modal shift , we found that building trust, through time invested in understanding the other party, transparency about challenges and jointly seeking solutions, is key to establish long-term modal shifts, says Vendela Santén, research project manager for AKTSAM at SSPA.

With increased understanding of the use of power and trust in the interaction between transport providers and companies sending and receiving goods, they can create better conditions for modal shift.

— Transport providers should show the market what they have to offer in terms of modal shift solutions and take the initiative to suggest rail or sea, even when shippers have not asked for it. In this way, they can become well-known for their expertise, finishes Sara Rogerson.

A workshop in Swedish will take place on 17th June 2021. If you are interested in the workshop and/or further information about results, please contact vendela.santen@sspa.se