The changing strategic roles for warehousing in an emerging economy: case study in Ukraine

The increasing globalisation of the world economy is having a profound impact on logistics. Emerging economies are experiencing rapid developments that affect their warehousing facilities. The purpose of this study is to explore the strategic roles that warehousing plays and the changes therein. Based on a literature review, a new model has been developed in which changes in the strategic warehouse role depend on three primary location drivers and on site competence. Focusing on Ukraine, an emerging economy, data were collected through a desk study, questionnaires completed by international third-party logistics companies located in Ukraine and through in-depth expert interviews. The results show that the model developed is appropriate for use in the initial determination of a warehouse location and for its further development in an emerging economy.