Unpacking the Drivers of Competitive Advantage: Enhancing Value Creation and Firm Profitability through Transportation and Strategic Innovation

Abstract In a time of digital disruption, changing consumer behavior, and shifting strategic priorities, competitive advantage is harder than ever to sustain. This research explores the drivers of value-creating sources of competitive advantage and proposes an actionable model for strengthening them to boost profitability. It also highlights the growing role of transportation systems as strategic enablers of competitive advantage, particularly in industries reliant on logistics, mobility, and infrastructure. Using a qualitative research design grounded in domain theory, the study conducts a thematic analysis of 161 highly cited Web of Science articles (2014–2024). Twelve strategic themes, including innovation, digital transformation, marketing, and sustainability, are identified as key drivers. These themes reflect current academic interest and offer long-term relevance for business strategy. The study introduces a three-step decision-making model incorporating these themes and financial metrics like ROIC and EBITDA. The model helps align competitive advantage sources with strategy and supports firms in navigating hypercompetitive and transportation-intensive environments while balancing stakeholder and shareholder value.