What’s the Best Way to Launch Your Product?
Know the differences between direct sales and channel partnerships.
What’s the Best Way to Launch Your Product?
Why Shipping Oil by Rail Can Be More Expensive, Less Reliable—and Still Attractive
- August 06, 2018
- CBR - Strategy
Although big pipeline projects have attracted a lot of attention in recent years, shipping via rail has remained a popular option for those who move oil, with 10 percent of American crude production in 2014 transported by rail. But given that rail is often more expensive and less reliable than pipelines, why is it still shouldering a sizable portion of the job of moving America’s oil? Research from Chicago Booth’s Thomas R. Covert and Chicago Harris’ Ryan Kellogg suggests flexibility may be a big part of the answer—and that planners in other arenas can learn from how the oil industry balances low, fixed costs with high, more variable prices.
More from Chicago Booth Review
When Money is an Object, How to Motivate Your Workers
In this economic climate, even a little bit of increased productivity can be the thing that keeps the doors open.
When Money is an Object, How to Motivate Your Workers
How to Handle an Antagonistic Coworker
Our second Business Practice scenario offers insight for handling fragile new collegial relationships.
How to Handle an Antagonistic CoworkerMore from Chicago Booth
Your Privacy
We want to demonstrate our commitment to your privacy. Please review Chicago Booth's privacy notice, which provides information explaining how and why we collect particular information when you visit our website.