Purpose

Construction logistics centres (CLC) is one   possible solution to manage logistics flows in urban construction projects.   The aim of CLC’s are to decrease disturbances to the surrounding environment   and to improve logistics flows and the planning of the same to construction   sites. However, as CLC’s is a new phenomenon, there is a lack of research with   regards to how CLC’s are experienced by stakeholders utilising and/or running   them. Therefore, the paper answers two research questions relating to the   experiences of three different stakeholder groups of the use of a CLC in a   large development project and how these experiences provide directions in   developing CLC governance strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory single   case research design was chosen to explain how the utilisation and governance of a   CLC has been experienced by three main contractors, the CLC operator and the   municipality initiating the CLC. Case study   methodology is a valid choice when the context and experiences are critical   to understanding the phenomenon comprehensively. Data has been collected   through semi-structured interviews, site visits, observations and project   documentation.

Findings

There is potential in utilising   CLC’s in development projects, and positive aspects such as consolidation   effects and enhanced planning efforts were found. What is evident however, is   that the design and implementation of CLC’s must be based on comprehensive   stakeholder analysis and clear governance strategies to lay the foundation   for a good construction process for the main contractors. Major aspects to   consider when designing a CLC governance strategy identified were: clarifying   who the customers are, multi-stakeholder logistics analysis, and information   flows.

Research   implications

Problems and possibilities in utilising CLC’s are explored and future   research directions are presented. Further research is needed to verify the   findings from SRS. With the novelty of CLC’s, it would be useful to study   other CLC projects and different solutions as well.

Practical   implications

Contractors, TPL providers, and municipalities can find inspiration for   how to design and implement CLC governance strategies based on experiences   from the SRS case.

Originality/value

As the use of CLC’s is a new phenomenon, this paper contributes by   highlighting contextual aspects affecting the experiences of using and   operating CLC’s from different stakeholder perspectives.