A Cluster-Based Bibliometric Analysis of the Emerging Technological Landscape in Logistics using Vosviewer

Abstract

Emerging technology presents itself as a futuristic solution since its early development stage in the industry. Concurrently, the industry has proposed framework implementations as well as efforts to integrate emerging technologies in the supply chain, particularly in logistics. This study aimed to unveil the applicability of either supply chain or logistic functions in the present industry. This study used Publish and Perish to mine academic document data based on the keyword ‘Logistic’ and ‘Emerging technology’ in the past five years. Furthermore, the retrieved data were compiled and processed as a bibliographical map to visualize relevant clusters as the bottom-line discussion for this study. Five clusters had different items/keywords associated with them, excluding clusters three and four which were discussed in tandem. Cluster one revealed that AI and blockchain could support manufacturers for a circular economy business model through reverse logistics operations in the pandemic. Cluster two was a bigger picture discussing enhancement efficiency and risk reduction in the supply chain using AI, blockchain, and IoT. Clusters three and four had overlapping keywords specifying the discussion of blockchain implementation for the Agri-industry in China. Finally, cluster five reaffirmed the conceptualism of emerging technology integration for transportation from other clusters. Despite a unanimous agreement on the potential use of emerging technologies, challenges were also found, such as complex implementation, uncertain investment, and technology immaturity accompany. Thus, as the implication of this research, it reveals the capabilities and issues of the implementation of emerging technologies within multiple aspects of logistics and supply chain.