Purpose: One ambition of organizations is to create and provide value to its stakeholders. As more and more customers are demanding environmentally sustainable freight transport, it is becoming a valuable service for a freight forwarder to provide. Some companies experience better success in offering this service to customers than others despite operating in the same infrastructure and regulatory circumstances. The aim of this paper is to describe different business practices utilized by the freight forwarder when providing value to its stakeholder by offering fossil-free transport. 

Research Approach: The research was conducted through a series of interviews including five actors representing the focal actor – freight forwarder – and its primary stakeholders. The analysis takes stance in stakeholder theory, which was used as a framework for understanding relationships, influence, and interactions with the freight forwarder as the focal organization.  

Findings and Originality: Analysis is ongoing, however preliminary findings can be shared. Four overarching business practices were identified: collaboration, pricing, workplace culture and pursuit of a circular economy. Primary stakeholders were identified as well as secondary, and their influence on the focal actor and its business practices is described. Once the analysis is completed results and discussion on value provision (if any exist) through these four business practices will be available. These findings reveal how a shift of technology – in this case the energy source – may shape future sustainable freight transport with consideration to multiple actors and their business practices.

Research Impact: This paper plans to build upon previously written stakeholder theory literature and its theory development. Additionally, the paper will explain the role of business practices and the subsequent stakeholder value development via offering fossil-free freight transport, which historically has been an overlooked topic within sustainable logistics.

Practical Impact: This paper allows organizations with various roles in freight transport to gain deeper knowledge of how to implement and provide fossil-free freight transport to their customers and stakeholders and which business practices may aid them in their endeavors. Furthermore, the paper’s results will provide guidance for how to understand the business environment particularly for freight forwarders.