Description

The overall high cost of logistics, freight system imbalances and inefficiencies detract from South Africa’s competitiveness. Improved freight intermodalism has the potential to advance transport and logistics system performance. The objective of the study was to explore why the adoption of a systems thinking paradigm and the collective interactions between willing freight intermodal system actors, could contribute to the development of intermodalism for national outcomes. Data was collected for the qualitative study through multiple methods, viz. documentary analysis, SME interviews, and focus groups. Thematic analysis of data generated six themes, and with the application of systems thinking approaches, resulted in recommendations for possible application. The systemic and continuous fusion of technology, people and innovation are needed to promote effective interactions amongst actors to pursue opportunities and realise value. A novel contribution originated in conducting focus groups, as a proxy representation of actors in South Africa’s real world freight intermodal system, to illustrate the many benefits of applying collaborative approaches to improve the system for the benefit of all stakeholders, and the country. A key finding was that advancements could be leveraged by working collectively and directing interventions to the improvement of key interfaces between system parts. Focus group discussions reflected the willingness of key actors to collaborate, cooperate and coordinate to advance system purpose and performance to effect change as an outcome. Actor interactions should strive for co-creation of priority interventions, to be collectively implemented by actors, for the betterment of the country’s freight system. The study may have significance for application by freight intermodal industry and system actors, policy makers, academics, and lobbyists. It is in the interests of the country to advance freight intermodal practices to improve freight transport competitiveness, efficiency, supply chain resilience, transport infrastructure utilisation and condition maintenance. Freight intermodal system competitiveness could contribute to improvements in economic performance, environmental sustainability and the well-being of South Africa’s people.