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Sustainable Logistics for E-Commerce: A Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Jose Alejandro Cano

    (Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Universidad de Medellin, Medellin 050026, Colombia)

  • Abraham Londoño-Pineda

    (Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Universidad de Medellin, Medellin 050026, Colombia)

  • Carolina Rodas

    (Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Universidad de Medellin, Medellin 050026, Colombia)

Abstract

This study aims to present a bibliometric analysis and literature review and to identify publications, main topics, and trends in recent years about the sustainability of logistics operations in e-commerce environments. For this, we considered 99 documents from Scopus published in 2021 and 2022 that address logistics, e-commerce, and sustainability. The bibliometric analysis shows that authors from Italy and India stand out for generating the largest number of publications, and correspondingly, institutional affiliations from these countries present the largest scientific production. It is established that journals such as Sustainability , International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications , and Sustainable Cities and Society lead both in the number of published articles and the number of articles with the highest citations. Within the main topics are the sustainability of e-commerce logistics, last-mile logistics and delivery logistics, urban and city logistics, environmental impact, urban transport, packing and packaging, traffic and congestion, supply chains, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and cross-border e-commerce, vehicle routing, optimization methods, and decision-making techniques in operations for cost and energy efficiency. Similarly, this study identifies the main research trends related to multiple dimensions of sustainability; technological developments including electric vehicles and specialized software; crowdshipping; operation modes such as collection and delivery points, parcel lockers, and micro-depots; and policymaking.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose Alejandro Cano & Abraham Londoño-Pineda & Carolina Rodas, 2022. "Sustainable Logistics for E-Commerce: A Literature Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12247-:d:926559
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fred Konneh Songa Monson & Alimamy Thomas Momodu & Ibrahim Massaquoi & Sylvester Edmond Saidu, 2025. "A Bibliometric Analysis Of E-Commerce Platforms On Market Access Of Informal Enterprises In Developing Countries (2006-2025)," Malaysian E Commerce Journal (MECJ), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 9(2), pages 81-91, October.
    2. Koffi Sodokin & Joseph Kokouvi Djafon & Mawuli Kodjovi Couchoro & Yao Mensah Kounetsron & Akoété Ega Agbodji, 2023. "Technological change, the productivity of formal and informal businesses, and the impact on labor market," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(2), pages 2268790-226, October.
    3. Garcia-Herrera, Alisson & Serrano-Hernandez, Adrian & Faulin, Javier, 2025. "Understanding the dynamics of crowdshipping in last-mile distribution within urban mobility: A comprehensive framework," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    4. Anurag Mishra & Pankaj Dutta, 2026. "Sustainable reverse logistics in e-commerce: a comprehensive literature review with challenges and research opportunities," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 358(1), pages 275-329, March.
    5. Vukašin Pajić & Milorad Kilibarda & Milan Andrejić, 2023. "A Novel Hybrid Approach for Evaluation of Resilient 4PL Provider for E-Commerce," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-26, January.
    6. Hidayatussarizal Sarmin & Mohd Ikbal Mohd Huda, 2025. "Implementation and Challenges of Logistics Management for Electronic Commerce (E-Commerce) Transactions in Malaysia," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 15(1), pages 42-59, December.
    7. Aditya Kumar Divyam & Lokesh Jasrai & Vishwas Gupta, 2025. "Corporate social responsibility influencing sustainability within the retail industry: a bibliometric analysis using R," International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, Springer;International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing, vol. 22(4), pages 995-1022, December.
    8. RiGen Mo & Shao-bu Wang, 2025. "E-commerce Research in the Past Decade: A Bibliometric Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, September.
    9. Yoon, Sangjun & Kim, Gwang & Shin, Youngchul, 2025. "Next-day demand based last-mile delivery route optimization with collection of reusable bags," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    10. Joanna Majchrzak & Agnieszka Kretkowska & Laura Zielinska & Magdalena Hryb, 2024. "The Relationship Between Sustainable Logistics and Customer Experience - The Study of the Current Situation," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special A), pages 548-563.
    11. Hai-Na Zhang, 2023. "Coupling System Dynamics Model of Cross Border Logistics and Ecological Environment Based on the Sustainable Perspective of Global Value Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-23, August.
    12. Xiaorong He & Tong Ye & Dejian Yu, 2023. "Exploring the academic development trace and theme evolution in Cross-Border Electronic Commerce," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-20, December.

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