Strategic importance of logistics village in rural development "A study on Denizli-Kaklık Logistics Village"

Logistics is a crucial set of activities for ensuring the continuity of a country's production activities. Logistics villages and logistics centers are crucial facilities in logistics activities. In this study, a five-criteria scale was developed to measure the performance of logistics villages. A pilot study was conducted before developing the scale, and all necessary validity, reliability, exploratory, and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using the IBM SPSS 25 package program. The analyses determined that the scale was suitable for use. The resulting scale was answered by representatives of the five selected logistics centers, and interviews were conducted. The interview data was supplemented with secondary data, and conclusions and recommendations were made for each center. The study concluded that Kaklık Logistics Village remained idle due to the lack of warehouse and storage services and the lack of handling. Potential investors were drawn to other private enterprises or terminals due to both these shortcomings and the costs associated with high pricing policies. It has been determined that if the Kaklık Logistics Village operates effectively and is connected to the necessary production facilities, it will lead to socio-economic development in the region and rural areas, and it has been concluded that the Kaklık Logistics Village has an important strategic function in the rural development process.