Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.8
3.3
Journals
Sustainability
Special Issues
Impacts of Environmental Sustainability on Logistics and Supply Chain Management
sustainability-logo
Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Impacts of Environmental Sustainability on Logistics and Supply Chain Management

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (8 May 2024) | Viewed by 11740

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Florian Kellner

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Computer Science, TH Rosenheim, 83024 Rosenheim, Germany
Interests: data science; business analytics; sustainable operations; green logistics; transport modelling; game theory
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Lienland

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Business Administration, OTH Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
Interests: performance management; performance measurement; controlling; management accounting; business intelligence; BI applications; business applications
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Plach

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Business Administration, OTH Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
Interests: digital transformation; logistics; production; sustainability; data science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The great pressure exerted by different stakeholder groups, a growing number of research studies, and many business cases prove that sustainability considerations are attracting increased attention in the domains of operations and logistics, both in research and in practice. This is not surprising, as sustainable logistics and supply chain management may contribute significantly to an overall sustainable development, meeting the needs of future generations while taking economic, environmental, and social aspects into account. In particular, various studies show that logistics and supply chain activities are significant sources of greenhouse gases, and research is being conducted to understand how environmental sustainability practices and considerations can affect these activities and reduce emissions.

The aim of this Special Issue is to investigate the impacts of environmental sustainability on logistics and supply chain management. It contributes to sustainable logistics and supply chain management by presenting innovative approaches and applications, as well as empirical findings that promote a positive impact on the social and/or environmental dimensions of sustainability. This includes, for example, research showing how transparency across logistics networks can be increased and negative environmental and social impacts in supply chains can be reduced.

There is no limitation to a specific research methodology, i.e., the presented research may be based on operations research, data analytics, data science, geospatial analysis, surveys, interviews, reviews, cases, etc. The following list provides an illustrative set of topics and paper types suitable for this Special Issue, but it is far from exhaustive. Any questions about the suitability of a topic may be directed to the Special Issue Guest Editors.

  • Methodological papers (e.g., novel approaches for integrating and/or balancing sustainability aspects in decision-making processes from the logistics and supply chain sector);
  • Conceptual papers: innovative approaches for operations and logistics system analyses with a focus on two- or three-dimensional sustainability;
  • Novel approaches for increasing the transparency and/or for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across logistics networks;
  • Empirical papers/computational analyses studying the impact of environmental sustainability on logistics and supply chain management;
  • Real-world applications/case studies studying the impact of sustainability on logistics and supply chain management, logistics and supply chain innovation and entrepreneurial approaches in this area of interest, green logistics management;
  • Systematic literature reviews: this may cover the topics listed above, i.e., literature reviews on approaches for measuring, managing, and reducing GHG emissions in logistics networks, presentations of real-world applications/best practices, empirical studies, and so forth.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Florian Kellner
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Lienland
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Plach
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable operations
  • sustainable logistics
  • sustainable supply chain management
  • green logistics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

31 pages, 1423 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Sustainability Attributes in New Product Design Insights from Automotive Industry
by Davood Omidzadeh, Seyed Mojtaba Sajadi, Ali Bozorgi-Amiri and Mohammad Daneshvar Kakhki
Sustainability 2024, 16(15), 6385; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156385 - 25 Jul 2024
Viewed by 880
Abstract
Product design is an innovative process that, through the stages of problem statement, concept, and initial and detailed design, meets the needs of customers, the requirements of companies, and their limitations. In the current process of product design and development, formulating design objectives [...] Read more.
Product design is an innovative process that, through the stages of problem statement, concept, and initial and detailed design, meets the needs of customers, the requirements of companies, and their limitations. In the current process of product design and development, formulating design objectives plays a crucial role in objective setting, project implementation, product needs and requirements specification, and performing activities validation. Currently, the role of the design and development stages in the sustainability of products, identifying strategies for improving this stage is of particular significance, and paying attention to the product planning and definition process group and focusing on establishing sustainability principles in the target book and defining new attributes can be regarded as one of the sustainable product development strategies. Consequently, this research is a case study in the field of applying the sustainability principles in the target book as one of the deliverables at the stage of product planning. The present study proposes strategies towards developing the attributes of the target book as a tool for exerting sustainability pillars in the process of design and development by means of surveying automotive industry experts, applying the DEMATEL and Fuzzy ANP combined method, and evaluating and determining new attributes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Environmental Sustainability on Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 671 KiB  
Article
The Dynamics of Rewards and Penalties: Governmental Impact on Green Packaging Adoption in Logistics
by Xingyi Yang, Xiaopei Dai and Hou Bin
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4835; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114835 - 5 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1110
Abstract
The widespread use of traditional packaging materials poses significant environmental challenges. Adopting green packaging is essential for reducing pollution and conserving natural resources. This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of government incentives and penalties in promoting the adoption of green packaging by [...] Read more.
The widespread use of traditional packaging materials poses significant environmental challenges. Adopting green packaging is essential for reducing pollution and conserving natural resources. This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of government incentives and penalties in promoting the adoption of green packaging by logistics companies. We developed an evolutionary game theory model that involves governments and logistics companies, comparing the impacts of static and dynamic reward and penalty policies. The results indicate that (1) static policies often lead to oscillatory adoption rates of green packaging without achieving a stable equilibrium, while dynamic policies generally promote steadier adoption of sustainable practices. (2) Different combinations of dynamic policies have varying influences on logistics companies’ propensity to adopt green packaging solutions. Specifically, dynamic rewards and static penalties are particularly effective at encouraging logistics companies to adopt green packaging. (3) A combination of dynamic rewards and penalties tends to facilitate more rapid and consistent adoption of green packaging by logistics companies. (4) An increase in government supervision costs is associated with reduced regulatory actions and a lower prevalence of green packaging. These insights are critical for policymakers aiming to craft regulations that successfully encourage sustainability within logistics operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Environmental Sustainability on Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 1106 KiB  
Article
A Supply Chain-Oriented Model to Predict Crude Oil Import Prices in South Korea Based on the Hybrid Approach
by Jisung Jo, Umji Kim, Eonkyung Lee, Juhyang Lee and Sewon Kim
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16725; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416725 - 11 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2144
Abstract
Although numerous studies have explored key variables for forecasting crude oil prices, the role of supply chain factors has often been overlooked. In the face of global risks such as COVID-19, the Russia–Ukraine war, and the U.S.–China trade dispute, supply chain management (SCM) [...] Read more.
Although numerous studies have explored key variables for forecasting crude oil prices, the role of supply chain factors has often been overlooked. In the face of global risks such as COVID-19, the Russia–Ukraine war, and the U.S.–China trade dispute, supply chain management (SCM) has evolved beyond an individual company’s concern. This research investigates the impact of a supply chain-oriented variable on the forecasting of crude oil import prices in South Korea. Our findings reveal that models incorporating the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) outperform those without it, emphasizing the importance of monitoring supply chain-related variables for stabilizing domestic prices for policy makers. Additionally, we propose a novel hybrid factor-based approach that integrates time series and machine learning models to enhance the prediction performance of oil prices. This endeavor is poised to serve as a foundational step toward developing methodologically sound forecasting models for oil prices, offering valuable insights for policymakers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Environmental Sustainability on Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 10154 KiB  
Article
Collection and Processing of Roadside Grass Clippings: A Supply Chain Optimization Case Study for East Flanders
by Frederik De Wieuw, Tom Pauwels, Christa Sys, Eddy Van de Voorde, Edwin van Hassel, Thierry Vanelslander and Jeffrey Willems
Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 14006; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151814006 - 21 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1682
Abstract
The paper focuses on secondary bio streams which are not captured efficiently in the value supply chain. Specifically, roadside grass clippings were chosen, based on their logistical optimization potential, direct feasibility, locality, biomass potential, and economic valorization value. The main objective is to [...] Read more.
The paper focuses on secondary bio streams which are not captured efficiently in the value supply chain. Specifically, roadside grass clippings were chosen, based on their logistical optimization potential, direct feasibility, locality, biomass potential, and economic valorization value. The main objective is to determine how this secondary flow can be brought to the “factory gate”—through road transport and inland shipping—and at what cost per unit. To this end, various scenarios were developed for a case study in East Flanders, considering multiple combinations of first collection points, secondary collection points, and processing points. The result is a generically applicable Excel-based tool that combines these variations with a solution considering both inland waterways and road transport. These scenarios become valuable in applying the tool for grass clippings and optimizing this value chain located in East Flanders. The results show that reducing the number of collection points is favorable for the utilization of inland waterways, as it reduces costs related to transshipment. Nevertheless, unimodal road transport is still the most cost-effective method for transporting this secondary material stream from the collection point to the processing point. Consequently, a lower weight and a higher density will lead to lower costs, which eventually bottom out, due to regulations and conditions that must be met. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Environmental Sustainability on Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 5414 KiB  
Article
Logistical Assessment of Deep-Sea Polymetallic Nodules Transport from an Offshore to an Onshore Location Using a Multiobjective Optimization Approach
by Peter Shobayo, Edwin van Hassel and Thierry Vanelslander
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11317; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411317 - 20 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1400
Abstract
The increasing growth in the global population has led to a substantial demand for low-carbon energy infrastructure, metals, and minerals. This has put more pressure on land-based deposits, which have been unsustainably exploited over the years. As a result, attention has shifted towards [...] Read more.
The increasing growth in the global population has led to a substantial demand for low-carbon energy infrastructure, metals, and minerals. This has put more pressure on land-based deposits, which have been unsustainably exploited over the years. As a result, attention has shifted towards exploring minerals in sea-based environments. Currently, industry and researchers have identified potentially commercially viable locations for the exploration of these nodules. However, significant knowledge gaps remain in the sustainable, efficient, and effective recovery and transportation of the nodules to onshore locations. To address these gaps, the study develops a logistics and cost model embedded in a multiobjective optimization (MOO) approach. This model considers several parameters, such as the production targets, port distance and location, storage capacity, vessel characteristics, transportation options, and cost inputs. By incorporating these parameters, the study analyzes different combinations of vessel classes and onshore locations and provides insights into optimizing offshore–onshore logistics and transportation options. The findings reveal that small and medium-sized vessels require lower storage capacity because they can complete more trips. Furthermore, the analysis reveals the cost of deploying additional vessels outweighs the benefits of reduced storage space for long-distance transport; therefore, smaller and medium-sized vessels are more suitable for locations closer to the offshore production site. Additionally, proximity to the onshore location is important, as it reduces transport costs and simplifies logistics operations. Subsequently, there is a need to have a reasonable buffer rate as this reduces the impact of potential disruptions during transport. From a managerial viewpoint, the study highlights the need to carefully consider vessel types based on transport requirements and journey characteristics. The analysis further identifies the benefits of having an onshore location close to the offshore production site. This will lead to optimized transport and logistics operations. Based on this, the study contributes to the body of knowledge in offshore logistics by developing a multiobjective optimization model for offshore–onshore transport logistics and cost analysis. This model provides a practical tool for informed decision-making and provides insight into vessel size and location considerations. Finally, the study establishes how simultaneous consideration of multiple factors in transport operations can lead to optimized and informed decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Environmental Sustainability on Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 1796 KiB  
Review
A Global Analysis of Emissions, Decarbonization, and Alternative Fuels in Inland Navigation—A Systematic Literature Review
by Charilaos Christodoulou Raftis, Thierry Vanelslander and Edwin van Hassel
Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14173; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914173 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2937
Abstract
In response to the pressing need for transportation decarbonization, this paper examines the often overlooked domain of inland waterway transport and seeks to answer which alternative fuel or power source is the most promising for that sector. As the shipping industry significantly contributes [...] Read more.
In response to the pressing need for transportation decarbonization, this paper examines the often overlooked domain of inland waterway transport and seeks to answer which alternative fuel or power source is the most promising for that sector. As the shipping industry significantly contributes to global carbon emissions, it has been shifting towards alternative fuels and decarbonization measures in the effort to reduce them, whereas the inland waterways, operating predominantly on diesel engines, have not achieved equivalent substantial progress. Employing a systematic literature review and regional analysis, this study identifies notable trends. LNG initially emerged as a favored alternative fuel, but recent studies emphasize a shift towards “greener” solutions like batteries and hydrogen. Europe and Asia lead in these developments. This investigation uncovers critical gaps in research and development, particularly in the Northern European countries that have extensive inland waterway networks. It also calls for future studies to explore the performance of vessels that have adopted LNG compared to other emerging alternatives and emphasizes the importance of considering the time lag between technology development and research publication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Environmental Sustainability on Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop