Strengthening small and medium-sized businesses' chain and network position at mainports

The Logistics lectureship of the Hogeschool van Amsterdam, University of Applied Sciences (HvA) has taken the initiative to apply for research programme funding from the Innovation Alliance Foundation (SIA). The application, submitted on behalf of a consortium of mainport-related companies, has been granted.

The purpose of the research programme is to generate knowledge and understanding of the chain and network strategies for SMEs at the country's mainports to help those businesses strengthen their position in the relevant chains and networks.

The programme was officially launched on Wednesday, 17 November. The consortium agreement was signed by Enno Osinga (Schiphol Group) on behalf of the business community and by Gerard van Haarlem (HvA) on behalf of the participating knowledge institutions.

What makes this research programme unique is the fact that both Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and both airports and seaports are participating. In addition to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Port of Amsterdam and Port of Rotterdam, participants include companies and organisations with links to these mainports such as sector association Air Cargo Netherlands, ORAM, Deltalinqs, EVO and Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN). Participating knowledge institutions besides HvA include Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), VU University Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.