A Systematic Review of Blockchain Literature in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Identifying Research Questions and Future Directions

Potential blockchain applications in logistics and supply chain (LSCM) have gained increasing attention within both academia and industry. However, as a field in its infancy, blockchain research often lacks theoretical foundations, and it is not clear which and to what extent organizational theories are used to investigate blockchain technology in the field of LSCM. In response, based upon a systematic literature review, this paper: (a) identifies the most relevant organizational theories used in blockchain literature in the context of LSCM; and (b) examines the content of the identified organizational theories to formulate relevant research questions for investigating blockchain technology in LSCM. Our results show that blockchain literature in LSCM is based around six organizational theories, namely: agency theory, information theory, institutional theory, network theory, the resource-based view and transaction cost analysis. We also present how these theories can be used to examine specific blockchain problems by identifying blockchain-specific research questions that are worthy of investigation

Citylogistik Wien: Der Einfluss von Paketdienstleistern auf den Gesamtverkehr. Endbericht der Studie

In der öffentlichen Diskussion über die Citylogistik der Stadt Wien werden zunehmend Kurier-, Express und Paket (KEP)-Dienste für die Überlastung des Gesamtverkehrs verantwortlich gemacht. Jedoch gibt es kaum spezifische Erkenntnisse oder Studien darüber, in welchem Ausmaß KEP-Dienstleister im Vergleich zu anderen gewerblichen Branchen zum Gesamtverkehrsaufkommen in Wien beitragen. Um diese Diskussion zu versachlichen, wurde eine empirische Bestandsaufnahme durchgeführt, die sich mit drei Forschungsschwerpunkten befasst: 1. dem Anteil der Paketlogistik am Gesamtverkehr der Stadt Wien, 2. den Optionen für eine effiziente Gestaltung der Gesamtverkehrssituation in Wien, sowie 3. der potenziellen Schadstoff/CO2-Einsparung durch eine komplette Umstellung der Post-eigenen Paketzustellflotte auf E-Fahrzeuge

Start-ups in the logistics industry: Advancing a framework for the disruptive potential of digital freight forwarder platforms (DFFs)

Digital platforms play an increasing role in the logistics industry and start-ups are challenging traditional logistics providers with new business models. It is, however, not clear whether these platforms have the potential to disrupt current industries. As a response, this paper contributes a more nuanced view on the notion of disruption and disruptive innovation and is concerned with digital freight forwarders (DFFs) in particular. To distinguish between disruptive and sustained innovations, we develop a framework from literature that allows characterizing digital platforms and their disruptive potential along the initial target market, the value contribution, the ecosystem network and the industry supervision. We apply this framework to a comparative dual-case study of two DFFs and reveal important differences. Beyond its very contribution, the paper invites researchers to expand on the given approach, in particular to advance the predictive ability of the proposed framework

The impact of digital logistics start-ups on incumbent firms: a business model perspective

Purpose – Digital freight forwarder (DFF) start-ups and their associated business models have gained increasing attention within both academia and industry. However, there is a lack of empirical research investigating the differences between DFFs and traditional freight forwarders (TFF) and the impact of digital start-ups on incumbents’ companies. In response, this study aims to examine the key business model characteristics that determine DFFs and TFFs and propose a framework illustrating the extent to which digital logistics start-ups influence incumbent logistics companies. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the primary data gathered from eight interviews with experts from start-ups’ and incumbents’ logistics companies, as well as secondary data, the authors identify the main factors of DFFs start-ups that have an impact on TFFs and analyze the similarities and differences in regard to the business model components’ value proposition, value creation, value delivery and value capture. Findings – The results show that differences between DFFs and TFFs appear in all four business models’ components: value proposition, value creation, value delivery and value capture. In particular, the authors identify three main factors that need to be considered when assessing the impact of DFFs on TFFs: (1) the company size, (2) the market cultivation strategy and (3) the transport mode. Originality/value – This is one of the first studies to specifically examine the key business model differences between DFFs and TFFs and to propose a conceptual framework for understanding the impact of digital logistics start-ups on incumbent companies

Understanding disruptive technology transitions in the global logistics industry: the role of ecosystems

Purpose: Disruptive technologies in the global logistics industry are often regarded as a threat to the existing business models of incumbents’ companies. Existing research, however, focuses mainly on whether technologies have disruptive potential, thereby neglecting when such disruptive transitions occur. To understand the timing of potential disruptive technological change, this paper aims to investigate the elements of the underlying ecosystem shaping these transitions. Design/methodology/approach: Building on the established ecosystem framework from Adner and Kapoor (2016a), this paper constructs four categories of technology substitution to assess how quickly disruptive change may occur in the global logistics industry and defines key technology substitution determinants in logistics to emphasize the role of ecosystems for further consideration into disruptive innovation theory. Findings: Based on the key determinants, this paper proposes first definitions of distinctive ecosystems elements linked to the three types of innovations, namely, sustaining innovations, low-end disruptions and new-market disruptions, thereby integrating ecosystems into Christensen’s (1997) disruptive innovation theory. Originality/value: By developing a framework that conceptualizes the pace of technology substitution, this paper contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how logistics managers and academics can better predict disruptive transitions and develop strategies to allocate resources

Much ado about nothing? Perceptions of the Air Berlin bankruptcy on airline competition in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

In Europe’s airline industry, the market exit of one of its largest industry players, the Air Berlin Group, has led to significant changes in the level of competition within the DACH-region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Existing research, however, is limited to provide insights into the short- and long-term im-plications of such market changes on the level of competition, particularly on price and quality. In response, this paper investigates how the bankruptcy of Air Berlin influences the level of price and quality airlines are offering to its passengers. Using a qualitative approach, airline-related professional and experts have been interviewed about their perception of the levels of quality, price and competition. The findings show that the Air Berlin bankruptcy resulted in a shortage of capacity on the market leading to increasing prices and short-term competition is likely to increase as various airlines try to replace Air Berlin on the market. However, in the long term, prices for airline tickets are expected to bounce back to a similar level like before the Air Berlin bankruptcy, as more competitors will penetrate the market, which leads to a more challenging market environment. In terms of quality, it was found that other Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) offered similar products compared to Air Berlin, thus no or only minor changes in quality are expected

The impact of courier-, express- and parcel (CEP) service providers on urban road traffic: The case of Vienna

Current urban city logistics literature often claims that rising e-commerce and the associated courier-, express- and parcel- (CEP) deliveries are inherently responsible for the increase in urban road traffic and the related congestion, disturbances and delays within cities. However, existing research is so far limited concerning studies to what extent CEPs impact and contribute to urban road traffic, particularly in comparison with other commercial sectors and passenger cars. In response, collecting data through an extensive empirical survey, counting urban road traffic in the city of Vienna in Austria, this paper identifies the share of CEPs and other selected categories of road vehicles. Results show that the share of CEPs in urban road traffic consists of merely 0.8 per cent, while the delivery vans’ share of craftsmen/technicians is almost eight times bigger with 6.0 per cent. Overall, delivery vehicles comprise 13.5 per cent of the total urban road traffic in Vienna, thus policies to reduce traffic should include not only other commercial sectors, but should also focus on passenger cars comprising the majority with 86.5 per cent of total urban road traffic. This is the first study that specifically investigates the share of CEPs and other vehicle categories in the context of city logistics

The emergence and adoption of digitalization in the logistics and supply chain industry: an institutional perspective

Purpose – Despite increasing interest in digital services and products, the emergence of digitalization in the logistics and supply chain (L&SC) industry has received little attention, in particular from organizational theorists. In response, taking an institutionalist view, the authors argue that the emergence and adoption of digitalization is a socially constructed phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach – This paper shows how actor-level frameshifts contribute to an emergence of an overarching “digitalization logic” in the L&SC industry at the field level. Building on a longitudinal analysis of field actors’ frames and logics, the authors track the development of digitalization over the last 60 years in the L&SC sector. Findings – The authors classify specific time periods by key field-configuring events, describe the relevant frameshifts in each time period and present a process that explains how and why digitalization has emerged, been adopted and manifested itself in the L&SC industry. Originality/value – The findings of the study provide insights about the evolution of a digitalization logic and thus advance the institutional view on digitalization in the L&SC industry

Resilience Strategies for Freight Transportation : An Overview of the Different Transport Modes Responses

For the transport and logistics industry, the COVID-19 pandemic can be regarded as one of the most difficult challenges since the beginning of the globalization. Studies showed that transport and logistics sector suffered more than the average economy and had to deal with both high supply and demand fluctuations, leading to major personnel, operational, and strategic changes. In this chapter, we present the (re)actions of the different transport modes, namely maritime shipping, airfreight, rail, road, and infrastructure. In particular, this chapter will not only provide an overview about the resilience strategies of transport and logistics companies as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic but will also present the impacts on the different transport modes and discuss specific initiatives and actions taken by transport and logistics companies. These discussions and the actions presented will provide academics as well as managers with a crucial understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the different transport modes and thus provide a theoretical and practical foundation to further spark discussions about the role of resilience in the transport and logistics sector.</p