Logistics system as a factor of business development: The case of the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

Logistics is becoming one of the most important sectors of the economy and an indispensable element in the process of international trade and industrial development. The aim of this paper is to examine the role and importance of logistics system in improving the performance of companies in different industries and to identify its key dimensions that need to be improved in order to create a favorable business environment within a given economy. The logistics system is observed through two dimensions"hard", which refers to the elements of physical infrastructure, and "soft" which includes segments related to logistics services and customs procedures. The research was conducted on a sample of 298 companies in the Republic of Serbia. The research methodology includes factor analysis based on which, the positive impact of the logistics system on the selected performance of companies has been proven. In addition, the difference in the importance of certain elements of logistics system between manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies has been proven. The results of the research can be of particular use for policy makers, as an instrument for improving the overall business environment through the development of individual logistics subsystems. Also, this evidence allows better insight for individual companies into the effects of different segments of logistics on business development, according to the industry.

The Nexus Between Trade Infrastructure Development and Export: The Case of Central and Eastern European Countries

“…These findings also confirm the importance of different forms of trade infrastructure in periods of crisis (Guerrero et al, 2022), which can thus be singled out as one of the key elements of the development policies in the countries of the CEE region. This highlights the growing importance of the entire logistics system, and trade infrastructure as one of its most important elements, which have a direct impact on trade and the entire business development within a country (Aćimović, Mijušković & Bugarčić, 2022).…”

Innovation and New Technologies as Determinants of Logistics 4.0

“…Existing literature provides ample evidence of the importance of logistics for improving competitiveness and stimulating economic growth (D'Aleo and Sergi, 2017;Sergi et al, 2021), increasing the intensity of international trade (Hausman et al, 2013;Puertas et al, 2014;Marti et al, 2014;Gani, 2017;Bugarčić et al, 2020;Zaninović et al, 2020) and attracting investments (Luttermann et al, 2020;Bugarčić and Skvarciany, 2023). The importance of logistics is especially emphasized in crisis conditions, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic (Richey Jr. and Davis-Sramek, 2020), and as a factor of business development (Aćimović et al, 2022). The gap at the level of countries can be monitored through the Logistics Performance Index (LPI), created by the World Bank, which contains six key components of logistics quality, namely: customs, infrastructure, logistics services, timeliness, quality of international shipments and ability to track.…”

The Effects of International Logistics in Global Value Chain Trade

“…The aim of this paper is to empirically identify the potential contribution of logistics performance to increasing the domestic value-added share in exports. The motive for this assumption can be derived from previous findings that point to the positive impact of logistics on various segments of economic development, especially in terms of initiating overall international trade (Hausman et al, 2013;Gani, 2017;Çelebi, 2019;Bugarčić et al, 2020;Host et al, 2019), but also its contribution to improving global competitiveness and initiating economic growth and development (D' Aleo & Sergi, 2017), and as a factor of business development (Aćimović et al, 2022). For this reason, it is necessary to study the impact of logistics on the success of countries in participating in GVCs and creating DVA and initiating VA exports, since the flows of international trade depend significantly on different segments of international logistics.…”