Modern Enterprises/E-Commerce Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Dear Colleagues,

Logistics and supply chains are vital components that drive modern national and global economies that require adapting to changes in the marketplace. The rapid growth of e-commerce businesses worldwide is reshaping the logistics landscape, expanding its reach beyond traditional boundaries. Contemporary logistics and supply chain systems must efficiently accommodate the needs of these new business models and challenging the conventions of the past.

These emerging business models must recognize the increasing customer expectations for swift delivery, cost-effectiveness, and evolving consumer demands. To meet these demands,  new enterprises and e-commerce businesses rely on the innovative power of the research community to enhance their performance.

For this Special Issue of JRFM, we are seeking innovative research papers that push the boundaries of logistics and supply chains to better serve the requirements of these new enterprises and e-commerce businesses. We are particularly interested in research that presents analytical models and solutions addressing the topics outlined, including concept papers and case studies describing innovative applications. Additionally, we welcome papers that explore the intersections of logistics and supply chains with other disciplines. The listed topics are provided as a sample and are not meant to be exhaustive.

The landscape of logistics and supply chains is evolving rapidly, driven by the growth of e-commerce businesses and customers' increasing expectations for better service, lower product costs, and on-time deliveries. To effectively operate in today's logistics and supply chain systems, it is crucial that they recognize the changing nature of the enterprises and organizations they serve, which may include both physical and virtual businesses. While some modern enterprises have easily locatable physical addresses for package deliveries, others solely exist in the virtual realm, lacking tangible physical locations on a map. Both types of businesses are integral to the fabric of modern e-commerce, which relies on efficient logistics as the backbone for delivering products swiftly and accurately to customers' doorsteps.

In this complex and ever-evolving environment, businesses face the challenge of optimizing their supply chains to stay competitive globally. Adapting to these diverse circumstances and meeting the increasing customer expectations necessitates ongoing research and the development of new planning and management tools and models. These tools must not only acknowledge the dynamic nature of logistics and supply chain systems of our time but also accommodate the added complexities of the ever-changing landscape. Innovative research is essential in various aspects of logistics and supply chain systems to further drive down costs and improve efficiency.

In light of these challenges, this Special Issue of JRFM recognizes the pressing need for research insights that can support the expanding demands placed on logistics and supply chains. Innovative research is the key to meeting customer expectations, enhancing efficiency, and reducing costs throughout these systems. Therefore, we are soliciting research papers in the following areas:

1. Omnichannel Strategies: Managing supply chains that serve multiple sales channels.
2. Last-Mile Delivery: Addressing the challenges involved in the final leg of package delivery.
3. E-commerce Supply Chain: Managing the unique supply chain requirements of e-commerce businesses.
4. Enhancing Customer Experience: Improving customer satisfaction through efficient supply chain operations.
5. Inventory Management: Investigating the critical role of inventory management in meeting the needs of e-commerce businesses.
6. Demand Forecasting: Accurate forecasting to ensure customer demands are met.
7. Transportation: Efficient transportation as a fundamental aspect of e-commerce logistics.
8. Risk Management: Assessing and mitigating risks associated with supply chain disruptions.
9. Supply Chain Security: Developing measures to address risks of various forms.
10. Customer Experience: Enhancing customer experience by meeting customer demands.
11. Use of Technology: Leveraging supply chains with technology, including optimization tools, databases, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
12. Vendor and Supplier Management: Maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure a steady supply of raw materials.
13. Disruptions in Supply Chains: Designing tools, models, and actions to reduce the occurrence and impact of supply chain disruptions.
14. Environmental Sustainability: Advancing eco-friendly logistics and supply chains to support the sustainability of resources and the interests of e-commerce businesses.
15. Global Supply Chains: Exploring the opportunities, challenges, and complexities of managing global supply chains.
16. Case Studies: Reporting on innovative logistics and supply chain systems applications that contribute to e-commerce businesses successes.
17. Emerging Trends: The focus here is on investigating future trends in modern enterprise logistics and supply chain management.

Thank you for your time, and I eagerly anticipate receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Pius Egbelu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• inventory management
• supply chain
• risk management and mitigation