Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Foreign Economic Activity: A Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Model

Abstract

Transport and logistics infrastructure has become a vital factor in the foreign economic activity of a country in the era of rapid globalisation and growing complexity of international trade. The efficiency of transport systems, logistics services, customs clearance and digital technologies has a direct impact on the export competitiveness and trade costs in developing and landlocked economies. This article examines these relationships in detail, theoretically. It discusses important concepts regarding transport and logistics infrastructure, introduces concepts from transport economics, logistics management and supply chain management, as well as international trade (comparative advantage and trade facilitation), and pulls out empirical results. A gap is found in the literature, as most of the studies performed are based on any single factor or secondary data are used, without an integrated analysis using primary data that is quantitative. The article suggests that a novel conceptual model with five independent variables (transport infrastructure, logistics efficiency, customs and trade facilitation, digital logistics technologies, logistics service quality) and one dependent variable (foreign economic activity) is created to overcome this. 5 hypotheses are formulated to test (H1–H5). This theory provides foundation for the further empirical testing and a repeatable framework to evaluate logistics-driven trade performance.