Search

Sustainability is one of major topics in supply chain management (SCM) and Information communication technologies (ICT) has the potential to address the three main dimensions of sustainability (social, economic, and environmental). As a result, many companies have embraced sustainability by integrating ICT in their business activities. Nevertheless, limited research has been conducted on the role of ICT in supporting sustainability initiatives in the field of purchasing and supply management with little empirical investigations. The main aim of this exploratory research is to contribute to fill this gap. This paper investigates how ICT influences sustainability practices in the area of purchasing and supply management and its effect on performance

Knowledge is becoming a critical driver of business innovation and companies need to implement strategies to support knowledge management processes. The concept of Industry 4.0 is heavily based on the use of digital technology to achieve productivity improvements and higher degree of flexibility in production processes. Consequently, knowledge management is expected to play a strategic role in the application of Industry 4.0 in a number of sectors including the logistics and supply chain industry. Nevertheless, the role of knowledge management in the application of Industry 4.0 in logistics and supply chain management is still unclear. This paper addresses this issue. Its main objective is to shed light on how knowledge management may support the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept in logistics and supply chains. To achieve this objective, a literature-based analysis has been developed to explore the phenomenon under investigation. Such an analysis demonstrate that the academic literature neglected the potential of knowledge management in the relationship between Industry 4.0 and logistics, while knowledge is becoming a critical component for the effective management and performance of logistics. The study concludes that knowledge management requires transformation and new business models for supporting effectively logistics in the age of Industry 4.0 and it suggests a number of possible research avenues to validate the role of knowledge management in this area.

Logistics service providers (LSPs) have started to transform their operations and strategy to be more effective from a green perspective. One concern that is of particular interest of LSPs is how to create organisational green awareness and translate this into practice in their operations. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the roles of green strategic commitment and organisation in LSPs’ adoption of green initiatives. The data for this study were collected through a questionnaire survey, investigating a sample of LSPs operating in the Swedish, Finnish and Italian markets. From the literature analysis, a set of testable hypotheses was developed. The results indicate that there are relationships between the nature, as well as the scope, of functional involvement and the green strategic priority. The results further suggest that the inclusion of environmental consideration in the overall business strategy is positively related to the involvement and coordination of multiple functions as well as existence of a separate environmental function.

Many authors have suggested that logistics information system capabilities can significantly enhance overall logistics competence. Majority of the studies have, however, assessed benefits that large logistics service providers have gained from information and communication technology (ICT) usage. The purpose of this study is to shed light on the ICT use and issues relevant for implementation plans among small and medium-sized logistics service providers. The study compares survey findings from two different geographical areas where the logistics service industry consists of a large number of small companies. The study focuses on the current status of ICT implementation, the motivators and barriers for ICT use.

Purpose of this paper. Third-party logistics service providers (3PLs) have started to transform their operations and strategy to be more effective from a green perspective. The purpose of this paper is to explore the adoption of environmental sustainability practices and factors facilitating and hindering green efforts in a sample of Italian and UK 3PLs. Design/methodology/approach. We adopted a two-fold research methodology. First, a structured literature review on the adoption of green initiatives by 3PLs was carried out. Such review allowed identifying two research questions that were subsequently addressed through a comparative case study analysis involving eight 3PLs operating in the Italian and UK markets. Findings. The 3PL companies show a certain degree of diversity in the adoption of green initiatives, due to the different range of offered services and the importance associated to environmental issues. Results indicate that 3PL in both countries are focused on the adoption of initiatives in the area of operational efficiency of transport and distribution activities. The green efforts of UK companies are much more driven by cost efficiency and the need to mitigate company risk. The Italian 3PLs are more pressed by actions undertaken by competitors. In addition, the key role played by customers in driving the implementation of green logistics initiatives clearly emerges. Research limitations/implications. This paper contributes to deepen the knowledge on how 3PLs in two different countries respond to changing market conditions driven by green pressures. The study contributes to the growing debate on 3PLs' strategy development from an environmental sustainability perspective. Its main limitation relates to the restricted number of case companies investigated that hinder the generalisability of findings. Practical implications. The paper describes the green initiatives implemented by 3PLs into their operations and the influencing factors that affect such process. The paper provides indications that can help managers of 3PL companies in positioning their business compared to the current practices and attitudes of 3PLs operating in different countries. What is original/value of paper. The extant literature on green practices in the 3PLs' industry provides findings predominantly from a single country perspective. Comparative studies among 3PL companies operating in different countries may be beneficial. This could help in understanding differences and commonalities of green practices adoption as well as drivers and barriers for investing in green actions for theory and practice. Considering the existing gap of knowledge, such an analysis could stimulate further research in this field.