Building sustainability in logistics operations: a research agenda

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this study is to examine the current state of sustainability efforts within the field of supply chain management, more specifically supply chain logistics operations, and to identify opportunities and provide recommendations for firms to follow sustainable operations. This study also aims to stimulate further research within the area of sustainable logistics operations. Design/methodology/approach -The reasons why it is important to implement sustainability into supply chain operations is discussed. Based on a review of the extant literature, various areas within the logistics function where sustainability can be implemented are then presented. Some short-term and long-term recommendations for the successful implementation of sustainability in the logistics function of supply chains are provided.Findings -There has been very little work done to understand the role and importance of logistics in an organization's quest towards sustainability. For firms to implement a sustainability strategy in their supply chain operations, the logistics function needs to play a prominent role because of the magnitude of costs involved and the opportunity to identify and eliminate inefficiencies and reduce the carbon footprint. Practical implications -Firms in their quest for sustainable logistics operations must start early and start simple. A top management commitment is required for such efforts to be successful. Also, firms need to be able to visualize and map out their supply chains and benchmark their sustainability efforts with other firms in their industry. Social implications -Firms need to follow sustainable practices in their overall operations and in their logistics operations in particular because not only does it have financial and other intangible benefits, but it is also the right thing to do. Firms have a great social responsibility especially with respect to use of non-renewable sources of energy and materials and also with respect to how their products are used and handled once they reach the end of their life cycles. Originality/value -This paper is the first of its kind which examines the state of sustainability within the field of supply chain logistics operations and identifies areas and sets the agenda for future research in this field.

Práticas de Green Logistic: Uma Abordagem Teórica sobre o Tema

“…Em relação especificadamente à logística, ressalta-se que esta se refere ao processo de planejamento, implantação, controle e coordenação dos fluxos de materiais, bens e informações para o lugar apropriado, no momento desejado e em quantidades ótimas, de modo a maximizar a rentabilidade atual e futura (Bruzzone, Tremori, Massei, & Tarone, 2009;Beškovnik & Jakomin, 2010;Dey, LaGuardia, & Srinivasan, 2011;Tamulis, Guzavičius, & Žalgirytė, 2012). Portanto, a logística não se restringe apenas às atividades de transporte, apesar de este ser um de seus elementos de destaque, principalmente em função do custo envolvido.…”

“…Sua preocupação está voltada para as variáveis custo, tempo e economia, e não abrangem questões ambientais (Wu & Dunn, 1995;Seroka-Stolka, 2014). Contudo, a preocupação e sensibilização com os efeitos das ações desordenadas como a poluição, o congestionamento, o esgotamento de recursos, a eliminação de resíduos perigosos, a geração de ruídos e a degradação ambiental tem feito com que a visão dos processos logísticos seja estendida também às questões de cunho social e ambiental (Rodrigue et al, 2001;Bruzzone et al, 2009;Beškovnik & Jakomin, 2010;Dey et al, 2011;Zhao, 2014).…”

“…Outro fator de impacto são as pressões ambientais regulatórias e suas consequências jurídicas e financeiras, pois, cada vez mais, os governos e órgãos competentes estão preocupados em desenvolver normas e requisitos legais para controlar o impacto das atividades empresariais no ambiente (Wu & Dunn, 1995;. Dey et al (2011) citam cinco razões importantes para estabelecer a sustentabilidade nas organizações, quais sejam: (i) desejo de agir corretamente em relação aos princípios ambientais comumente aceitos; (ii) pressão dos clientes; (iii) desejo de melhorar a imagem da empresa; (iv) desejo de atrair clientes verdes; (v) pressões competitivas. Dessa forma, percebe-se que as empresas estão sob pressão para integrar suas expectativas financeiras e econômicas com práticas ambientalmente amigáveis e, fortalecer assim, o conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável Sun & Ying, 2014).…”

A Joint Optimal Decision on Shipment Size and Carbon Reduction under Direct Shipment and Peddling Distribution Strategies

“…FedEx reported that the hybrid trucks reduced carbon emissions by 30% in the U.S. [29]. For reference, low carbon technologies for logistics operations are presented in Dey et al [30] and McKinnon [22].…”

A strategic approach to improve sustainability in transportation service procurement

“…Issues related to social sustainability (Presley et al, 2007;Sarkis et al, 2010) as well as environmental sustainability (Lieb and Lieb, 2010;Dey et al, 2011) are discussed. All these works are confined to the above mentioned topics in logistics and no article is found in transportation service procurement.…”