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When Collaboration Constrains Capability: Digitalization, Cold Chain Coverage, and Operational Sustainability in Urban-Rural Logistics
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DOI：10.3390/su18168288.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Rural logistics networks face the dual challenge of improving service reliability while maintaining long-term cost efficiency. Drawing on the resource-based view and transaction cost economics, this study examines how cold chain coverage and intelligent sorting contribute to the operational sustainability of urban–rural logistics and whether joint distribution conditions these relationships. Using monthly panel data from 150 outlets within a Chinese postal network from 2017–2023, we estimate outlet and time fixed-effects models with interaction terms. The results show that greater cold chain coverage and intelligent sorting penetration are associated with higher delivery success rates and lower unit delivery costs. However, joint distribution intensity weakens both the service-quality benefits and the cost-reduction effects of these investments, suggesting that cross-organizational coordination may constrain the conversion of specialized and technological resources into operational performance. Further heterogeneity analyses reveal that these performance improvements are concentrated in agricultural counties and geographically concentrated service areas, highlighting the importance of local demand characteristics and network conditions in determining the returns to logistics investment. The findings highlight the importance of aligning infrastructure investment, digital upgrading, and inter-organizational governance with local demand and network conditions.
Keywords:
urban–rural logistics
operational sustainability
cold chain coverage
intelligent sorting
joint distribution
organizational governance
Journal
IF:
3.3
Papers:
10.5W
Citations:
28.4W
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Cited Papers