Coordinated development path of metropolitan logistics and economy in Belt and Road using DEMATEL–Bayesian analysis

The Belt and Road Initiative provides great opportunities for economic growth in the areas, it underlines the significance of the coordinated logistics support. This study identifies the influencing attributes of coordinated development between metropolitan economy and logistics, and aims to reveal the logical relationships among the various influence attributes based on the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. DEMATEL–Bayesian network model is used to obtain the key influence attributes and driving path of the coordinated development. The key driving paths are: (a) level of fiscal revenue logistics infrastructure investment logistics network accessibility development level of logistics industry-coordinated development between metropolitan economy and logistics; (b) there are two paths presented to develop the coordinated development of metropolitan logistics and economy. The first path is from ‘(1) practitioner’s entrepreneurial ability, (2) basic research and development investment level, (3) logistics equipment level,–(4) logistics speed/costs, and to (5) logistics industrial development’. And, the second path is from ‘(1) investment level technological development level to (2) metropolitan economic development’. The study assists to realise the coordinated development of metropolitan economy and logistics and provides a scientific basis and countermeasures.