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Exploring the Potentials of Automation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Paving the Way for Autonomous Supply Chains

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  • Benjamin Nitsche

    (Chair of Logistics, Berlin University of Technology, Straße des 17. Juni 135, 10623 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

The world of logistics is changing and entering a new era. The advance of digitalization and technologization enables new business models, increased process efficiencies, novel planning approaches, and much more but, on the downside, there is also the risk of being lost in the maelstrom of developments. Within these developments, the automation of logistics processes and ultimately the design of autonomous logistics systems is one of the most defining trends that has far-reaching consequences for the planning and execution of future logistics processes. This Special Issue aims to contribute to the discussion and to get to the bottom of the question of how the path towards automated and autonomous logistics systems should be designed. This editorial lays a foundation by presenting application areas of automation and discussing the theoretical path towards autonomous logistics systems. The articles that follow provide highly practical insights into current research results on the automation and autonomization of informational and physical logistics processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Nitsche, 2021. "Exploring the Potentials of Automation in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Paving the Way for Autonomous Supply Chains," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:5:y:2021:i:3:p:51-:d:607787
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Belhadi, Amine & Kamble, Sachin & Jabbour, Charbel Jose Chiappetta & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Ndubisi, Nelson Oly & Venkatesh, Mani, 2021. "Manufacturing and service supply chain resilience to the COVID-19 outbreak: Lessons learned from the automobile and airline industries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
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    8. Anselm Busse & Benno Gerlach & Joel Cedric Lengeling & Peter Poschmann & Johannes Werner & Simon Zarnitz, 2021. "Towards Digital Twins of Multimodal Supply Chains," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-12, April.
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    1. Lukas Grützner & David Voss & Michael H. Breitner, 2025. "Mature inventory management for supply chain automation: An interlinked process-reference model," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 35(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Nguyen-Nhu-Y Ho & Phuong Mai Nguyen & Thi-Minh-Ngoc Luu & Thi-Thuy-Anh Tran, 2022. "Selecting Partners in Strategic Alliances: An Application of the SBM DEA Model in the Vietnamese Logistics Industry," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Patrik Richnák, 2022. "Current Trend of Industry 4.0 in Logistics and Transformation of Logistics Processes Using Digital Technologies: An Empirical Study in the Slovak Republic," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Vitor William Batista Martins & Denilson Ricardo de Lucena Nunes & André Cristiano Silva Melo & Rayra Brandão & Antônio Erlindo Braga Júnior & Verônica de Menezes Nascimento Nagata, 2022. "Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS Technique," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-17, August.
    5. Yuki Kinoshita & Takaki Nagao & Hiromasa Ijuin & Keisuke Nagasawa & Tetsuo Yamada & Surendra M. Gupta, 2023. "Utilization of Free Trade Agreements to Minimize Costs and Carbon Emissions in the Global Supply Chain for Sustainable Logistics," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-21, June.

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