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Logistics Efficiency under Carbon Constraints Based on a Super SBM Model with Undesirable Output: Empirical Evidence from China’s Logistics Industry

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  • Yongrong Xin

    (Business College, Jiangsu Open University, Nanjing 210036, China)

  • Kengcheng Zheng

    (School of Finance and Taxation, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan 430073, China)

  • Yujiao Zhou

    (School of Economics, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Yangyang Han

    (School of Finance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200433, China)

  • P. R. Tadikamalla

    (Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA)

  • Qin Fan

    (Business College, Jiangsu Open University, Nanjing 210036, China)

Abstract

As world resources and environmental constraints have increased, environmental cost has become a concern that affects the sustainable development of the logistics industry in various countries. Carbon emissions are an important part of any environmental cost assessment. How to scientifically and rationally evaluate the green GDP impact and regional efficiency in the logistics industry, especially when under carbon emission constraints, is of great significance to the realization of green and sustainable development. This study evaluated the logistics efficiency of 30 provinces in China from 2003 to 2016 by constructing a super SBM (Slack Based Model) model with undesirable output to explore provincial efficiency and its regional differences. The input–output ratio of the regional logistics industry was optimized through the calculation of the frontier slack variables. The research results showed that, first, it was more reasonable to adjust efficiency under carbon constraints, and it was consistent with the actual performance of the logistics industry. Second, technological progress and deeper capital investments promoted the development of the logistics industry, but technological barriers and low-scale efficiency between regions often limited technological efficiency. Therefore, decision-makers in the logistics industry should reconsider the challenges presented in each reason, encourage industrial technological innovation between regions, and especially promote energy-saving and emission-reduction technologies, so as to maintain the sustainable growth of the logistics industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongrong Xin & Kengcheng Zheng & Yujiao Zhou & Yangyang Han & P. R. Tadikamalla & Qin Fan, 2022. "Logistics Efficiency under Carbon Constraints Based on a Super SBM Model with Undesirable Output: Empirical Evidence from China’s Logistics Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-24, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:9:p:5142-:d:801216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Karolina Sikirinskaya & Elena Ponomarenko, 2024. "Transport and Logistics Market Transformation: Prospects for Russian-Chinese Integration under Sanctions Restrictions," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 4, pages 144-163.
    2. Hongtao Jiang & Jian Yin & Yuanhong Qiu & Bin Zhang & Yi Ding & Ruici Xia, 2022. "Industrial Carbon Emission Efficiency of Cities in the Pearl River Basin: Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Forces," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Bin Chen & Fang Liu & Yina Gao & Chong Ye, 2024. "Spatial and temporal evolution of green logistics efficiency in China and analysis of its motivation," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 2743-2774, February.
    4. Lianjie Tang & Yabin Zhao & Xiaojie Zheng & Shiang Ma, 2025. "Pathways to Improve Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Efficiency During the Low-Carbon Transformation of the Logistics Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-20, May.

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