Current State of Logistics and Supply Chain Finance

Along with the growth of the Internet and electronic commerce, logistics and supply chain management have emerged as major research areas. In this topic, supply chain finance (SCF), as a critical component of supply chains, has garnered significant attention from scholars. In practice, the rapid development of B2C and C2C e-commerce brings new chances to integrate logistics with SCF. The combination of logistics and SCF is particularly crucial, as it allows companies to unlock liquidity trapped in the supply chain, thereby reducing financial risk and improving cash flow. For instance, the ability to secure financing based on receivables or inventory helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) overcome capital constraints, enabling them to compete in an increasingly digital marketplace. Moreover, the advent of intelligent logistics—driven by advancements in technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT)—is further revolutionizing SCF practices. These technologies allow for real-time tracking of goods and transactions, enhancing transparency and trust among supply chain participants. In this intelligent logistics landscape, key issues related to supply chain finance have emerged as vital areas of study. Among them, three critical topics stand out: SME Financing, Financing for Logistics Firms, and Manufacturer-Supplier Co-financing.