Compose 3.0

Transitions - Our current era is characterised by a number of simultaneous transitions. Examples are globalisation, digitization, labour market flexibility, urbanisation, pandemic preparedness and, pre-eminently important for this proposal, the transition to sustainable transport. In this project proposal, titled Compose 3.0, we investigate how human behaviour influences some of the most important transitions in the logistics systeem today. Through panel experiments, we try to understand how human behaviour, habits, preferences, and motivation impact the speed of transitions and how possible negative attitudes of people can be turned into action.

Importance of the research and relationship with government policy - We expect that by better understanding the motivations of logistics decision makers, the success rate of collaborative initiatives can be increased. (Horizontal) collaboration with a limited number of companies is a good first step, but ultimately it is about how the logistics system as a whole can be moved in a direction that is socially desirable and in line with the goals that the government has set. In Compose 3.0 we want to take the step from optimising collaboration between a defined group of logistics companies, to understanding and guiding the transition of the logistics system as a whole towards innovative, clean, and profitable logistics networks.

Consortium - Our consortium consists of Tilburg University, evofenedex, Smart Freight Centre and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. The majority of the research will be conducted by the Tilburg University team by means of two PhD tracks at the departments of Econometrics and Operations Research, and Social Psychology. In addition, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences will develop educational material and with evofenedex and Smart Freight Centre we have two strong organisations in our consortium that provide access to a large group of logistics companies. On top of this, evofenedex was co-founder of Compose 1.0 and contains a lot of practical knowledge in this field.

Activities and work packages - The project will cover a period of three years (October 2022 - September 2025) and is organised around the following six work packages: 1) Research on game theory, 2) Research on social psychology, 3) Business projects, 4) Experiments, 5) Knowledge sharing, and 6) Project management.

Innovation and expected results - In Compose 3.0 we will gain insights by using social psychology and game theory to conduct panel experiments around logistics collaboration. To this end, we are using the CentERdata LISS panel. For Tilburg University and the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, the unique value of the project lies in its multidisciplinary structure. For the business partners, the main results are of a different nature. Based on insights from the research and from the results of the MSc projects, they get a better grip on e.g., change management, strengthening the position of the sustainability officer within a company, the influence of risk aversion of people and companies, the role of personalities of decision makers in companies, chain responsibility for the total emissions of an economic activity, etc.

Valorisation and implementation strategy - The two business partners, evofenedex and Smart Freight Centre, are central to the valorisation and implementation strategy of Compose 3.0. On the one hand this takes place through concrete projects for their clients and members in the field of the transition to sustainable transport, and on the other hand through training and communication to their widespread network of companies in the Netherlands and Europe. Both organisations are of excellent value in eventually applying the knowledge developed in the project to a much wider group of companies than can realistically be included in a project consortium.