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Evaluating environmental sustainability strategies in freight transport and logistics industry

Author

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  • Piera Centobelli
  • Roberto Cerchione
  • Emilio Esposito
  • Shashi

Abstract

This paper provides a conceptual framework on green initiatives adoption in companies operating in freight transport and logistics industry and presents an overview on the emerging green practices and information systems adopted. On the basis of a literature review on the topic, a research question was identified and addressed through an analysis conducted in a sample of freight transport and logistics companies. This research question regards the behaviours of freight transporters in adopting green practices and information systems. As for the adoption of both green practices and information systems, the paper shows that freight transporters are not a homogeneous industry, but different types of behaviour emerge. As for the relationship between the degree of adoption of green practices and information systems, the paper proposes a taxonomy bringing together sustainable strategies for adopting green initiatives. Specifically, four strategies are identified: sustainability leaders, green practice adopters, information system adopters, and sustainability followers. These sustainable strategies highlight the different phases of the process of adoption of green initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Piera Centobelli & Roberto Cerchione & Emilio Esposito & Shashi, 2020. "Evaluating environmental sustainability strategies in freight transport and logistics industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1563-1574, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:29:y:2020:i:3:p:1563-1574
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2453
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    3. Thu-Hang Hoang & Nhi Pham Phuong Nguyen & Nhu-Y Ngoc Hoang & Mohammadreza Akbari & Huy Truong Quang & An Duong Thi Binh, 2023. "Application of social media in supply chain 4.0 practices: a bibliometric analysis and research trends," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 1162-1184, September.
    4. Anastasios Tsakalidis & Konstantinos Gkoumas & Ferenc Pekár, 2020. "Digital Transformation Supporting Transport Decarbonisation: Technological Developments in EU-Funded Research and Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Chumasande Lalendle & Leila Goedhals-Gerber & Joubert van Eeden, 2021. "A Monitoring and Evaluation Sustainability Framework for Road Freight Transporters in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-22, July.
    6. Faissal Jelti & Amine Allouhi & Kheira Anissa Tabet Aoul, 2023. "Transition Paths towards a Sustainable Transportation System: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-25, October.
    7. Pei‐Ju Wu & Chun‐Kai Yang, 2021. "Sustainable development in aviation logistics: Successful drivers and business strategies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 3763-3771, December.
    8. Chamari Pamoshika Jayarathna & Duzgun Agdas & Les Dawes, 2023. "Exploring sustainable logistics practices toward a circular economy: A value creation perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 704-720, January.
    9. Malacina, Iryna & Teplov, Roman, 2022. "Supply chain innovation research: A bibliometric network analysis and literature review," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    10. Paul D. Larson, 2021. "Relationships between Logistics Performance and Aspects of Sustainability: A Cross-Country Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, January.

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