Taking Off

aking Off
Does Electronic Documentation Make Air Cargo Fly High Again?
A systemic approach to understanding the complex dynamics of the air cargo system.

Air cargo carriers used to "own" the air cargo business. For over a decade though, the air cargo carriers' market share has been growing below air cargo market growth rates. Despite these difficulties and IATA's efforts to simplify air cargo processes and introduce electronic documentation, most shipments are still accompanied by printed documents - up to 30 documents and more per shipment.

It is Verena Ehrler purpose of the research Taking Off – Does Electronic Documentation Make Air Cargo Fly High Again? to analyse the dynamics of the air cargo system which lead to the challenges the air cargo industry is currently faced with and to reflect, in how far ICT, namely electronic documentation for air cargo, impact these dynamics and whether they can contribute to strengthen the air cargo industry again.

Based on a historic review the main players of the air cargo system are identified and described. Using the methodology of the systems theory and its New St. Gallen Management Model, the dynamics of the air cargo system are reflected. Therefore, in a second step, as empirical research, structured expert interviews with key players of the entire air cargo system were held. Based on these interviews, dynamics within the air cargo system are reflected and it the impact of electronic documentation on these structures is analysed. The research shows that electronic documentation and the use of ICT are a necessary but not sufficient step for rendering air cargo profitable again.