Sustainable Logistics Transformation in Global Supply Chains: a Systematic Literature Review of Drivers, Practices, Impacts, and Implementation Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/kharaj.v8i3.12248Keywords:
Sustainable Logistics, Global Supply Chain, Green Logistics, Triple Botto Line PerformanceAbstract
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate recent developments in sustainable logistics within global supply chains and to identify the key drivers, practices, impacts, and implementation challenges associated with sustainable logistics transformation. Methods: This study employs a systematic literature review of 48 indexed scientific articles published between 2017 and 2025. The analysis categorizes the findings into four main dimensions: sustainable logistics practices, driving factors, impacts, and implementation challenges. Results: The findings indicate that sustainable logistics has evolved from a primary focus on operational efficiency toward a more comprehensive approach encompassing green transportation, reverse logistics and circular logistics, digital traceability, renewable energy integration, and regional supply network diversification. The implementation of these practices is influenced by external factors, including regulations, stakeholder expectations, participation in global value chains, and geopolitical disruptions, as well as internal organizational factors such as managerial commitment, technological readiness, and coordination capacity. The identified impacts span environmental, economic, and social dimensions, including reduced ecological burdens, improved market performance, enhanced supply chain resilience, strengthened food security, greater transparency, and increased social accountability. However, implementation continues to face significant challenges, particularly high investment costs, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented governance, and disparities in technological capabilities across firms and regions. Implications: Based on these findings, this study proposes an integrative framework linking driving factors, sustainable logistics practices, resulting impacts, and implementation barriers. The study also identifies future research agendas focusing on strengthening governance mechanisms, developing more robust sustainability measurement methods, and promoting context-specific implementation strategies that account for the characteristics of different sectors and regions.
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