As our worldwide transportation network becomes less and less able to support the demands of a global economy, we’re heading straight into a crisis.
A version of this article appeared in the July–August 2009 issue of Harvard Business Review.
The Threat of Global Gridlock
As our worldwide transportation network becomes less and less able to support the demands of a global economy, we’re heading straight into a crisis. A crisis? How can we be facing a critical shortage in transportation capacity when plummeting demand and rising protectionism have reduced the flow of goods around the world to a trickle? […]
Summary.
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As ports, highways, railways, and airports run out of room, the world faces a looming transportation crisis. The current meltdown masks the threat, but once the recovery begins, a lack of infrastructure capacity, combined with rising oil prices, will constrain growth. Congestion and delays will eat away business profits, forcing companies to rethink their long, complex supply chains. Smart organizations will use unorthodox methods to cut often-hidden transportation costs and outmaneuver rivals.
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New!
HBR Learning
HBR Learning
Crisis Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Crisis Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to manage uncertainty, dispel rumors, and help your team recover.