Innovation management within the transport industry is a critical factor for its continued
evolution and competitiveness. Historically, innovation in this sector, encompassing
logistics, public transport, and freight, has often lagged compared to other industries,
despite its fundamental importance to economic development and societal well-being
(Szymanowska et al., 2023), (Wagner, 2008). Innovation in transport is defined as the
commercial exploitation of new ideas, products, or services derived from scientific
research, often forming through the development of "innovation ecosystems"
(Giannopoulos & Li, 2024). This dynamic field is constantly adapting to new challenges
and opportunities, driven by global societal, economic, and technological shifts (Zijm &
Klumpp, 2016).
Despite the high importance of innovation, the transport and logistics sectors often
dedicate relatively small expenditures to innovation and frequently lack sufficiently
implemented innovation management systems or structured innovation processes
(Göpfert & Wellbrock, 2016), (Wagner, 2008). This can be attributed to various barriers
that impede the transition to more innovative practices (Tsakalidis et al., 2020), (Orji et
al., 2019). For instance, transport businesses in Slovakia have identified primary
difficulties in implementing innovative activities (Lendel & Varmus, 2013). The industry
also faces an increasingly complex and dynamic environment, with intensifying
globalization, stronger competition, and higher customer demands (Gracht & Darkow,
2010). Furthermore, challenges such as adverse weather conditions, traffic congestion,
cargo safety concerns, and skilled labor shortages also complicate the pursuit and
implementation of innovative solutions within the logistics and transport domains (Yusof
& Othman, 2024).
Innovation in transport encompasses various forms, including product/service
innovations (e.g., new mobility services), process innovations (e.g., optimized logistics
flows), market novelties, and even incremental improvements (Wagner, 2008). Specific
areas witnessing significant innovation include intelligent transport systems for public
transport management, which are key components of smart mobility (Ambrosino et al.,
2015). Furthermore, passenger-centric innovations are gaining traction, aiming to
enhance the passenger experience in aviation, car industries, and urban rail transport
(Camacho et al., 2016). Cybersecurity innovation is also crucial, promoting a culture of
self-innovation within organizations to contribute directly to business value and strategic
goals (Alevizos et al., 2024).
Digital transformation stands as a major driver of innovation across the transport sector,
fundamentally reshaping traditional concepts of mobility (Tsakalidis et al., 2020).
Emerging technologies bundled within "smart mobility" represent a new transformation
of the mobility system, with the potential to disrupt existing market structures entirely
(Ydersbond et al., 2020). New business models are emerging, giving rise to innovative
mobility services, including new online platforms for car-pooling, car or bicycle sharing
services, freight operations, or smartphone applications offering real-time travel
information and other analytics (Tsakalidis et al., 2020). Digital technologies are also
transforming the automotive industry, disrupting traditional business models, and
creating new business opportunities, particularly in shared mobility networks (Llopis‐
Albert et al., 2020), (Grieger & Ludwig, 2018).
Sustainability is another powerful catalyst for innovation, particularly in freight transport.
The imperative to reduce carbon emissions and environmental burdens has led to the
exploration of eco-innovation practices (Neff & Bai, 2012), (Orji et al., 2019). This
includes promoting sustainable intermodal freight transport that considers not only
temporal and distance attributes but also cost, energy consumption, and various
emissions (Yu, 2016). Technologies like synchromodal transportation, which allows realtime switching between transport modes for more flexible and sustainable freight, are
emerging (Rentschler et al., 2022). Digitalization also plays a vital role in ensuring
quality and efficiency in less-than-truckload shipping while promoting sustainability
(Jarašūnienė et al., 2022).
In conclusion, while the transport industry faces unique challenges, the increasing
momentum for innovation is undeniable. To fully capitalize on the potential of new
technologies and address pressing issues like climate change, a more structured and
continuous approach to innovation management is required (Göpfert & Wellbrock,
2016), (Tsakalidis et al., 2020). This involves adopting comprehensive frameworks for
innovation, fostering internal capabilities for self-innovation, and strategically aligning
cybersecurity measures with business objectives (Alevizos et al., 2024). By embracing
these principles, the transport industry can continue to evolve, offering more efficient,
sustainable, and technologically advanced solutions for the future.