JultikaUniversity of Oulu repository

This research provides insights into project deliveries in the Barents Region. The aim of this research is to describe the project delivery process and to examine the barriers and the opportunities of transport logistics that are involved in project logistics in the Barents Region. The research is conducted with qualitative research methods and it features two case examples of project deliveries. The literature review provides academic findings from transport logistics and project logistics sources. Theoretical framework is constructed of the project delivery process that encompasses a focus on barriers and opportunities of transport logistics. The data collection includes 8 interviews and observation. The project delivery process consists of several phases: manufacturing, project cargo, transport mode choice, loading/stowing, transportation and final destination. This research provides also essential information of barriers and opportunities that are involved in project deliveries in the Barents Region. The project delivery process includes barriers that are: infrastructure, border crossing issues, distance, regulation and challenges with all-year traffic. According to the research findings, the best opportunities for project deliveries are road- and maritime transport. This research reveals that there are also difficulties in cross-border logistics between the Nordic countries, unlike the earlier academic findings suggest. Clearly, this research provides both theoretical contribution and managerial implications. Earlier research of project deliveries is almost completely lacking, which means that new academic research is needed. Thus this research presents valuable and new theoretical contribution by describing and picturing the project delivery process in detailed fashion. The managerial implications are related to the findings of potential barriers and the best transport mode opportunities in project deliveries in the Barents Region. By clarifying the potential challenges of project deliveries, this research gives valuable information of what kinds of problems there might be, and most importantly this research gives instructions that are valuable for tackling those challenges. All in all, this research provides valuable findings of project logistics and cross-border logistics in the Barents Region.