**2.3. Porter's Five Forces**

necessary for the next generation of managers dealing for instance with tourism and logistics in this area. In that respect, suitable educational offers should be set up in a timely manner.

It seems as if the trend toward increasing networking and interlacing of spaces beyond the borders of countries, which appeared to be unstoppable a few years ago, is currently slowing down. The reasons for this are both economic (neo-protectionist tendencies) and political (destabilization of the EU). However, in specific cases, there are still considerable efforts to

The interests of the actors are manifold: from a political point of view, intensified international cooperation also means a peace guarantee. Economic interests arise on the one hand from the opening up of new markets and on the other hand from the generation of mutual benefits (classical theory of free trade). In this context, cross-border clusters of industries (Porter) or the targeted promotion of networking (e.g. by the implementation of Interreg programs) are

One of the ambitious projects for the development of large-scale spaces is the construction of a fixed Fehmarnbelt crossing, which has been planned for years. It would allow a much faster

It is obvious that such an undertaking leads to controversial debates. In addition to the fundamental question of whether the project should be implemented at all, there have so far been considerable delays due to stakeholder resistances, planning deficits, and nonconsideration

That being said, it becomes clear that the development of large-scale spaces such as the Fehmarnbelt region would present considerable challenges for economic players and stakeholders even under comparatively static conditions. These requirements (but also the possibilities) are intensified though, if one considers that the creation of *physical* spaces is

The rapid development in communication technology affects many areas of life. Job profiles are changing, the workplace itself is changing, and it is becoming more and more mobile. Everything that can be automated can be digitalized. Downes [1] progressively states that knowledge is no longer bound to people but is distributed in the Internet and accessible for everybody. YouTube tutorials explain almost everything imaginable. However, not only in business, but also in private life, the way we communicate, share, and live is massively

accompanied at the same time by the progressive development of *virtual* spaces.

connection between Germany and the Scandinavian area.

**2. Theory**

**2.1. Spatial development**

210 Mobilities, Tourism and Travel Behavior - Contexts and Boundaries

develop cross-border spaces.

of the framework conditions.

often focused on.

**2.2. Digitization**

The consequences for the economic actors in the region can be derived from the developments shown above. We shall first examine the specific effective contexts as well as opportunities and threats.

As a methodology, Michael Porter's industry structure analysis (also known as Porter's Five Forces, see **Figure 1**) is used. This makes it possible to describe the situation of companies and institutions in their environment and to derive strategic impulses.

The influencing factors are customers, new competitors, suppliers, substitute products, and ultimately the intensity of the competition in the industry itself.

<sup>1</sup>Digital SCM = Digital Supply Chain Management.

**Figure 1.** Porter's Five Forces (own depiction based on Porter [4]).
