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competitiveness, exports, foreign trade, infrastructure, logistics, supply chain.
This article examines the influence of elevated logistics expenses on the competitiveness of Colombian exports, a challenge that predominantly impacts small and medium-sized enterprises reliant on operational efficiency to thrive in global markets. The study aimed to ascertain the factors that elevate logistics costs and to comprehend their impact on the nation's export capacity. A qualitative research methodology employing a documentary framework was utilized, supplemented by semi-structured interviews with seven participants from the export sector, encompassing business proprietors, transport operators, and a customs official. The theoretical review encompassed recent publications from ECLAC, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Chamber of Commerce of Cúcuta, released between 2022 and 2025, facilitating the contextualization of the current logistics situation in Colombia. The findings indicate that the primary factors contributing to the increase in logistics costs are inadequate road infrastructure, congested ports, insufficient digitalization, elevated domestic transportation expenses, and protracted customs processes. Interviews revealed that these factors lead to significant delays, extended delivery periods, and increased final costs for exported goods, diminishing their competitiveness relative to countries with superior logistics systems. Additionally, it was discovered that they struggle to manage these expenses because they lack their own infrastructure, reliable logistics contracts, or cutting-edge technological tools. According to the report, Colombia needs to improve its infrastructure, modernize its customs processes, integrate technology throughout the logistics chain, and ensure that public and privates institutions collaborate more effectively. The is would accelerate operations, reduce logistics costs, and increase the competitiveness of Colombian exports. This article provides an updated analysis of the issue and makes recommendations that could serve as a springboard for additional study and the development of regulations to improve the nation's logistics.
Agredo-Hernández, E., Delgado-Niño, A. L., & Barrios Monsalve, E. J. (2020). Atraer inversionistas extranjeros o nacionales para estimular la economía y la generación de más empleo formal en Cúcuta. Revista Investigación & Gestión, 3(2), 6-12. https://doi.org/10.22463/26651408.3757
Arévalo-Vera, Y., & Cadena-Morales, J. J. (2020). La comunicación como acción de motivación-productividad en las organizaciones. Mundo FESC, 10(20), 182-192. https://doi.org/10.61799/2216-0388.77
Ballou, R. H. (2004). Logística: Administración de la cadena de suministro. Pearson Educación.
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. (2021). Infraestructura y competitividad en América Latina. BID.
Bastidas, E. (2023). Aportes de la logística verde en la gerencia emergente. CICAG: Revista Electrónica Arbitrada del Centro de Ciencias Administrativas y Gerenciales, 20(2), 42-63.
Cámara de Comercio de Cúcuta. (2024). Informe de competitividad regional 2024. Cámara de Comercio de Cúcuta.
Cely-Cely, V. M., Carrillo-Estrada, M. D., & Rolón-Rodríguez, B. M. (2024). La evolución logística en las empresas. Reflexiones Contables, 7(2), 8-14. https://doi.org/10.22463/26655543.4540
Christopher, M. (2022). Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson.
Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe. (2022). Costos logísticos y comercio en América Latina y el Caribe. Naciones Unidas.
Contreras, D., & Ballena-Pérez, Y. (2020). Impacto del coronavirus en el comercio internacional. Reflexiones Contables, 3(1), 120-127. https://doi.org/10.22463/26655543.2988
Cristofani, M. A., González-Mendoza, J. A., & Vergel-Ortega, M. (2021). Reorganización empresarial de la industria cerámica de Norte de Santander, ante el cierre de la frontera colombo-venezolana. Mundo FESC, 11(S4), 56-70. https://doi.org/10.61799/2216-0388.933
Domínguez-Rangel, J. F., Zambrano-Medina, N. A., & Prada-Núñez, R. (2021). Impacto socioeconómico y productivo de los micronegocios de la región andina (Colombia) en tiempos de pandemia por covid-19. Mundo FESC, 11(S6), 241-254. https://doi.org/10.61799/2216-0388.1177
Guerra-Naranjo, L. M. (2024). Evaluación de la influencia de la gestión de inventarios en el rendimiento empresarial: Un estudio de caso. Reflexiones Contables, 7(2), 15-28. https://doi.org/10.22463/26655543.4547
Hernández-Sampieri, R., & Mendoza, C. (2022). Metodología de la investigación: Las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta. McGraw-Hill.
Ibarra-Botello, N. F. (2019). Importancia de la logística de última milla como valor agregado en el comercio electrónico. Revista Investigación & Gestión, 2(2), 12-19. https://doi.org/10.22463/26651408.4309
Nakabashi, L. (2023). Logistics performance and export competitiveness in Latin America. Journal of Development Study, 59(4), 812-829.
Porter, M. E. (1990). The competitive advantage of nations. Free Press.
Tarazona-Quintero, A. P., & Gélvez-Corzo, S. A. (2020). La transformación del comercio internacional tras la desglobalización debido a la crisis del 2020. Revista Investigación & Gestión, 3(1), 6-15. https://doi.org/10.22463/26651408.4329
Torres, M., & Silva, D. (2022). Articulación institucional y eficiencia logística en América Latina. Revista Global de Comercio, 18(2), 45-61.
World Bank. (2023). Logistics performance index report 2023. World Bank.
This article examines the influence of elevated logistics expenses on the competitiveness of Colombian exports, a challenge that predominantly impacts small and medium-sized enterprises reliant on operational efficiency to thrive in global markets. The study aimed to ascertain the factors that elevate logistics costs and to comprehend their impact on the nation's export capacity. A qualitative research methodology employing a documentary framework was utilized, supplemented by semi-structured interviews with seven participants from the export sector, encompassing business proprietors, transport operators, and a customs official. The theoretical review encompassed recent publications from ECLAC, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Chamber of Commerce of Cúcuta, released between 2022 and 2025, facilitating the contextualization of the current logistics situation in Colombia. The findings indicate that the primary factors contributing to the increase in logistics costs are inadequate road infrastructure, congested ports, insufficient digitalization, elevated domestic transportation expenses, and protracted customs processes. Interviews revealed that these factors lead to significant delays, extended delivery periods, and increased final costs for exported goods, diminishing their competitiveness relative to countries with superior logistics systems. Additionally, it was discovered that they struggle to manage these expenses because they lack their own infrastructure, reliable logistics contracts, or cutting-edge technological tools. According to the report, Colombia needs to improve its infrastructure, modernize its customs processes, integrate technology throughout the logistics chain, and ensure that public and privates institutions collaborate more effectively. The is would accelerate operations, reduce logistics costs, and increase the competitiveness of Colombian exports. This article provides an updated analysis of the issue and makes recommendations that could serve as a springboard for additional study and the development of regulations to improve the nation's logistics.
Agredo-Hernández, E., Delgado-Niño, A. L., & Barrios Monsalve, E. J. (2020). Atraer inversionistas extranjeros o nacionales para estimular la economía y la generación de más empleo formal en Cúcuta. Revista Investigación & Gestión, 3(2), 6-12. https://doi.org/10.22463/26651408.3757
Arévalo-Vera, Y., & Cadena-Morales, J. J. (2020). La comunicación como acción de motivación-productividad en las organizaciones. Mundo FESC, 10(20), 182-192. https://doi.org/10.61799/2216-0388.77
Ballou, R. H. (2004). Logística: Administración de la cadena de suministro. Pearson Educación.
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. (2021). Infraestructura y competitividad en América Latina. BID.
Bastidas, E. (2023). Aportes de la logística verde en la gerencia emergente. CICAG: Revista Electrónica Arbitrada del Centro de Ciencias Administrativas y Gerenciales, 20(2), 42-63.
Cámara de Comercio de Cúcuta. (2024). Informe de competitividad regional 2024. Cámara de Comercio de Cúcuta.
Cely-Cely, V. M., Carrillo-Estrada, M. D., & Rolón-Rodríguez, B. M. (2024). La evolución logística en las empresas. Reflexiones Contables, 7(2), 8-14. https://doi.org/10.22463/26655543.4540
Christopher, M. (2022). Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson.
Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe. (2022). Costos logísticos y comercio en América Latina y el Caribe. Naciones Unidas.
Contreras, D., & Ballena-Pérez, Y. (2020). Impacto del coronavirus en el comercio internacional. Reflexiones Contables, 3(1), 120-127. https://doi.org/10.22463/26655543.2988
Cristofani, M. A., González-Mendoza, J. A., & Vergel-Ortega, M. (2021). Reorganización empresarial de la industria cerámica de Norte de Santander, ante el cierre de la frontera colombo-venezolana. Mundo FESC, 11(S4), 56-70. https://doi.org/10.61799/2216-0388.933
Domínguez-Rangel, J. F., Zambrano-Medina, N. A., & Prada-Núñez, R. (2021). Impacto socioeconómico y productivo de los micronegocios de la región andina (Colombia) en tiempos de pandemia por covid-19. Mundo FESC, 11(S6), 241-254. https://doi.org/10.61799/2216-0388.1177
Guerra-Naranjo, L. M. (2024). Evaluación de la influencia de la gestión de inventarios en el rendimiento empresarial: Un estudio de caso. Reflexiones Contables, 7(2), 15-28. https://doi.org/10.22463/26655543.4547
Hernández-Sampieri, R., & Mendoza, C. (2022). Metodología de la investigación: Las rutas cuantitativa, cualitativa y mixta. McGraw-Hill.
Ibarra-Botello, N. F. (2019). Importancia de la logística de última milla como valor agregado en el comercio electrónico. Revista Investigación & Gestión, 2(2), 12-19. https://doi.org/10.22463/26651408.4309
Nakabashi, L. (2023). Logistics performance and export competitiveness in Latin America. Journal of Development Study, 59(4), 812-829.
Porter, M. E. (1990). The competitive advantage of nations. Free Press.
Tarazona-Quintero, A. P., & Gélvez-Corzo, S. A. (2020). La transformación del comercio internacional tras la desglobalización debido a la crisis del 2020. Revista Investigación & Gestión, 3(1), 6-15. https://doi.org/10.22463/26651408.4329
Torres, M., & Silva, D. (2022). Articulación institucional y eficiencia logística en América Latina. Revista Global de Comercio, 18(2), 45-61.
World Bank. (2023). Logistics performance index report 2023. World Bank.
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