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Alternative e-commerce delivery policies

Author

Listed:
  • Sam Heshmati

    (CODeS & imec
    University of Porto)

  • Jannes Verstichel

    (CODeS & imec)

  • Eline Esprit

    (CODeS & imec)

  • Greet Vanden Berghe

    (CODeS & imec)

Abstract

Contemporary shopping habits are undergoing rapid change, with more and more consumers purchasing goods online. The rapid growth of the online retail sector provides great opportunities for both wholesalers and transporters in servicing this newly emergent type of customer. With both consumers and corporations acutely aware of the environmental impact of business activities, one of the most relevant research questions is how to organize the operations of a e-commerce delivery business while simultaneously minimizing its environmental impact. The present paper addresses the e-commerce delivery problem, a mathematical formulation and fast heuristics which enable the simulation of various e-commerce delivery scenarios. The effects of the scenarios regarding more environmentally friendly e-commerce concerns are tested upon real-world data. In particular, the impact of new green(er) technology (such as electric bicycles and cars), aggregated collection points, carrier bundling, and changing delivery times is investigated. The obtained results are suitable for implementation at an organizational or operational level within both e-commerce delivery companies and transporters.

Suggested Citation

  • Sam Heshmati & Jannes Verstichel & Eline Esprit & Greet Vanden Berghe, 2019. "Alternative e-commerce delivery policies," EURO Journal on Transportation and Logistics, Springer;EURO - The Association of European Operational Research Societies, vol. 8(3), pages 217-248, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurjtl:v:8:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s13676-018-0120-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s13676-018-0120-4
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    Cited by:

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    2. Wang, Jianda & Dong, Kangyin & Wang, Kun, 2023. "Towards green recovery: Platform economy and its impact on carbon emissions in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 969-987.
    3. Schmitz, Tanja, 2020. "Critical analysis of carbon dioxide emissions in a comparison of e-commerce and traditional retail," Journal of Applied Leadership and Management, Hochschule Kempten - University of Applied Sciences, Professional School of Business & Technology, vol. 8, pages 72-89.
    4. Steve O’Hern & Nora Estgfaeller, 2020. "A Scientometric Review of Powered Micromobility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-21, November.
    5. Magdalena Mucowska, 2021. "Trends of Environmentally Sustainable Solutions of Urban Last-Mile Deliveries on the E-Commerce Market—A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-26, May.
    6. Mashalah, Heider Al & Hassini, Elkafi & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Bhatt (Mishra), Deepa, 2022. "The impact of digital transformation on supply chains through e-commerce: Literature review and a conceptual framework," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).

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