IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i8p3290-d1630048.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Sustainable Logistics: Exploring the Determinants of Consumer Attitudes and Intention to Use Toward Autonomous Delivery Services

Author

Listed:
  • Yaxiao Chen

    (Department of International Commerce & Business, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea)

  • Mi Hyun Ryu

    (Department of International Commerce, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Autonomous delivery services offer significant cost-saving benefits for logistics and e-commerce companies while helping mitigate environmental issues and urban traffic congestion. As these services become increasingly prevalent in China, understanding how user participation influences adoption decisions is crucial. This study analyzes attitudes and intention to use toward autonomous delivery by integrating factors such as sustainability and customer participation within the technology acceptance model. Notably, prior research has rarely included consumers aged 50 and older, despite their growing engagement with online shopping and delivery services in China. To address this gap, the present study incorporates data from this demographic to enhance representativeness. Employing SEM combined with multi-group analysis through AMOS 24.0, this study examined 526 valid survey responses. The results demonstrate that attitudes toward autonomous delivery systems are positively shaped by perceived usefulness, ease of operation, sustainability features, self-efficacy beliefs, and customer engagement levels. Moreover, user attitudes emerge as a significant predictor of behavioral intention to adopt such services. Additionally, technology-related anxiety and personal innovativeness levels were found to moderate the attitude–intention linkage. These insights establish a theoretical framework to guide future advancements in autonomous delivery system development, marketing strategy optimization, and academic exploration within this domain.

Suggested Citation

  • Yaxiao Chen & Mi Hyun Ryu, 2025. "Sustainable Logistics: Exploring the Determinants of Consumer Attitudes and Intention to Use Toward Autonomous Delivery Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3290-:d:1630048
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3290/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3290/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Valeska Engesser & Evy Rombaut & Lieselot Vanhaverbeke & Philippe Lebeau, 2023. "Autonomous Delivery Solutions for Last-Mile Logistics Operations: A Literature Review and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Matthew K.O. Lee & Christy M.K. Cheung & Zhaohui Chen, 2007. "Understanding user acceptance of multimedia messaging services: An empirical study," Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 58(13), pages 2066-2077, November.
    3. Hui Zhu & Fumin Deng, 2020. "How to Influence Rural Tourism Intention by Risk Knowledge during COVID-19 Containment in China: Mediating Role of Risk Perception and Attitude," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-23, May.
    4. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    5. He, Yuan & Li, Ke & Wang, Yipan, 2022. "Crossing the digital divide: The impact of the digital economy on elderly individuals’ consumption upgrade in China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    6. Guan, Jinping & Du, Xinyu & Zhang, Jiayue & Maymin, Philip & DeSoto, Emma & Langer, Ellen & He, Zhengbing, 2024. "Private vehicle drivers’ acceptance of autonomous vehicles: The role of trait mindfulness," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 211-221.
    7. Sang-Lin Han & Hyunseok Song & Jerry J. Han, 2013. "Effects of technology readiness on prosumer attitude and eWOM," Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 159-174, March.
    8. Cintia Machado de Oliveira & Renata Albergaria De Mello Bandeira & George Vasconcelos Goes & Daniel Neves Schmitz Gonçalves & Márcio De Almeida D’Agosto, 2017. "Sustainable Vehicles-Based Alternatives in Last Mile Distribution of Urban Freight Transport: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, July.
    9. Meuter, Matthew L. & Ostrom, Amy L. & Bitner, Mary Jo & Roundtree, Robert, 2003. "The influence of technology anxiety on consumer use and experiences with self-service technologies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 56(11), pages 899-906, November.
    10. Luigi Ranieri & Salvatore Digiesi & Bartolomeo Silvestri & Michele Roccotelli, 2018. "A Review of Last Mile Logistics Innovations in an Externalities Cost Reduction Vision," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    11. Yavuz, Yigit Can, 2024. "Exploring university students’ acceptability of autonomous vehicles and urban air mobility," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    12. Hye Jin Sung & Hyeon Mo Jeon, 2020. "Untact: Customer’s Acceptance Intention toward Robot Barista in Coffee Shop," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    13. Ali Edrisi & Houmaan Ganjipour, 2022. "Factors affecting intention and attitude toward sidewalk autonomous delivery robots among online shoppers," Transportation Planning and Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(7), pages 588-609, October.
    14. Calabrese, Armando & Costa, Roberta & Levialdi, Nathan & Menichini, Tamara, 2019. "Integrating sustainability into strategic decision-making: A fuzzy AHP method for the selection of relevant sustainability issues," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 155-168.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Patrick Klein & Bastian Popp, 2022. "Last-Mile Delivery Methods in E-Commerce: Does Perceived Sustainability Matter for Consumer Acceptance and Usage?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-27, December.
    2. Juan Guillermo Urzúa-Morales & Juan Pedro Sepulveda-Rojas & Miguel Alfaro & Guillermo Fuertes & Rodrigo Ternero & Manuel Vargas, 2020. "Logistic Modeling of the Last Mile: Case Study Santiago, Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Songhong Chen & Jian Ming Luo, 2023. "Understand Delegates Risk Attitudes and Behaviour: The Moderating Effect of Trust in COVID-19 Vaccination," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-18, February.
    4. 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.
    5. Hasanburak Yucel & Murat Ergün & Gozde Bakioglu, 2025. "Will Conventional Public Transport Users Adopt Autonomous Public Transport? A Model Integrating UTAUT Model and Satisfaction–Loyalty Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-31, October.
    6. Chidera C. Ugwuanyi & Chukwunonso Oraedu & Chuka U. Ifediora & Ernest E. Izogo & Simplice A. Asongu & Ikechukwu J. Attamah, 2022. "Understanding drivers of self-service technologies (SSTs) satisfaction and marketing bottom lines: Evidence from Nigeria," Journal of Africa SEER Centre(ASC) 22/024, Africa SEER Centre(ASC).
    7. Gleb V. Savin, 2021. "The smart city transport and logistics system: Theory, methodology and practice," Upravlenets, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 12(6), pages 67-86, October.
    8. El Barachi, May & Salim, Taghreed Abu & Nyadzayo, Munyaradzi W. & Mathew, Sujith & Badewi, Amgad & Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph, 2022. "The relationship between citizen readiness and the intention to continuously use smart city services: Mediating effects of satisfaction and discomfort," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    9. Hao Jiang & Eric Ballot & Shenle Pan, 2019. "Modeling and analysis of alternative distribution and Physical Internet schemes in urban area [Modélisation et analyse de systèmes de distribution alternative et d'Internet physique en zone urbaine," Post-Print hal-02172073, HAL.
    10. Wu, Ruijuan & Li, Peiyu, 2023. "Continuance intention to use self-delivery boxes: An empirical study in Tianjin, China," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    11. Chi Kwong Bruce Wan & Adaobi J. Onuike, 2021. "Illuminating Opportunities for Smart Tourism Innovation That Foster Sustainable Tourist Well-Being Using Q Methodology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-16, July.
    12. Jong-Hyeon Kim & Jin-Woo Park, 2019. "The Effect of Airport Self-Service Characteristics on Passengers’ Perceived Value, Satisfaction, and Behavioral Intention: Based on the SOR Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-17, September.
    13. Bijun Li & Yeongbae Choe & Sangguk Kang & Jaeseok Lee, 2025. "Sustainable Event Tourism: Risk Perception and Preventive Measures in On-Site Attendance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-23, April.
    14. Yanjing Gao & Lijun Chen, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 Risk Perception on Residents’ Behavioural Intention towards Forest Therapy Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-18, September.
    15. Kim, Jiyeon & Forsythe, Sandra, 2008. "Adoption of Virtual Try-on technology for online apparel shopping," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 45-59.
    16. Eeman Almokdad & Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin & Chung Hun Lee, 2023. "Antecedents of Booster Vaccine Intention for Domestic and International Travel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    17. Tseng, Shu-Mei, 2015. "Exploring the intention to continue using web-based self-service," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 85-93.
    18. Asrar Ahmed Sabir & Iftikhar Ahmad & Hassan Ahmad & Muhammad Rafiq & Muhammad Asghar Khan & Neelum Noreen, 2023. "Consumer Acceptance and Adoption of AI Robo-Advisors in Fintech Industry," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-24, March.
    19. Ifeanyi Benedict Ohanu & Taiwo Olabanji Shodipe, 2021. "Influence of the link between resources and behavioural factors on the entrepreneurial intentions of electrical installation and maintenance work students," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, December.
    20. Esmaili, Arsalan & Rejali, Sina & Aghabayk, Kayvan & Mohammadi, Amin & De Gruyter, Chris, 2025. "Autonomous delivery vehicle acceptance: The moderating role of perceived risk of theft," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 406-423.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3290-:d:1630048. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.