Assessing the Implementation of Green Logistics Practices in SMEs for Sustainable Development

Sustainability is a vital global phenomenon driven by the deterioration of the environment, disparities in society, poverty, and economic expansion that cannot be maintained. While multinational and large corporations have effectively implemented green logistics, (GL) and circular economy (CE), practices to achieve long-term advantages, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and developing countries encounter difficulties in adopting these practices due to limited expertise and resource limitations. Notwithstanding these difficulties, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to be essential for economic progress, representing 18% of exports in developing nations and 98% of firms in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies. Despite their favorable impact on economic growth, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are accountable for over 70% of worldwide pollution. This study assessed the green logistics initiatives among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and aimed to gain insights into the main factors that drive, hinder, and create opportunities for the effective implementation of green logistics practices. Additionally, it aimed to identify the best practices in this field. The study utilized a theoretical framework to carefully choose pertinent material from academic databases, with a specific emphasis on recent publications. Twenty-five pertinent publications were examined and a thematic analysis was conducted to identify crucial topics and expert insights. These findings were subsequently utilized to propose practical solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt and execute green logistics practices. The results indicate that although the majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have knowledge of environmentally friendly logistics practices, they are hesitant to allocate resources towards the required infrastructure and technology mostly owing to financial limitations and a lack of specialized knowledge. This study proposes frameworks to assist the efficient implementation of environmentally friendly logistics practices, thereby improving the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and contributing to broader goals of sustainable development.