Do ISO standards favour logistics provider efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability? A Slovenian perspective

Investigating Effects of Digital Innovations on Sustainable Operations of Logistics: An Empirical Study

The current investigation seeks to investigate the relationship between digital innovations and the sustainability perspectives of logistics operations. Despite the advancement of technologies for sustainable goals, it is evident that the importance of digital innovation is increasing as a means of enhancing sustainable operations. Current research is examining the determinants of digital innovation in small logistics firms. A new theoretical framework is developed based on technology adoption, technology integration, and sustainable operations by following the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory. For this study, data were collected from 540 small logistical firms in China. The covariance-based structural equation modeling technique was used to test the proposed hypothesis. The results from the analysis indicate that technology adoption positively affects the environmental perspectives with coefficients = 0.293, social perspectives with coefficients = 0.461, and economical perspectives with coefficients = 0.461 of sustainable operations. Similarly, technology integration positively affects the environmental perspectives with coefficients = 0.512, social perspectives with coefficients = 0.347, and economical perspectives with coefficients = 0.415 of sustainable operations. In conclusion, the implementation of digital technology for innovation can help firms improve their logistical operations in terms of sustainability, which will deliver a robust business improvement according to this research.

Environmental alignment between logistics service providers and shippers – a supply chain perspective

Purpose

Various suggested paths for greening logistics and supply chains often address the specific perspectives of single supply chain actors. Drawing on stakeholder theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop a deeper understanding of the alignment between logistics service providers (LSPs) and shippers in the context of adopting more environmentally sustainable logistics practices.

Design/methodology/approach

With a case study approach, a dual perspective is taken in which both LSPs and shippers were researched. The cases comprise eight LSPs and six shipper companies in Sweden, Italy and Ireland. Information was first analysed in relation to levels of environmental awareness, customer requirements and provider offerings and critical success factors (CSFs) and inhibitors. In a second step, the findings were analysed using stakeholder theory.

Findings

LSPs demonstrate higher ambition levels and more concrete offerings compared to shippers' requirements for green logistics services. Paradoxically, customers are an important CSF and also an inhibitor for both LSPs and shippers. Both LSPs and shippers perceive financial factors and senior management priorities as important CSFs. The application of stakeholder theory helps to illuminate the importance of the many secondary stakeholders vs that of one or a relatively small number of primary stakeholders.

Originality/value

The three-dimensional analysis of environmental alignment between LSPs and shippers reinforces existing knowledge and provides new insights. A novel use of stakeholder theory in a supply chain context underlines its usefulness in research of this kind.