Preface: The 1st International Conference on Smart Management in Industrial and Logistics Engineering (SMILE 2025) ^†

1. Overview

SMILE 2025 was held in Casablanca, Morocco, on 16–19 April 2025, co-organized by ESITH Morocco, through its Center of Excellence in Logistics (CELOG), and the Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, home to the Transport, Circular Economy and Sustainable Logistics Chair (TEC-LOG^d), which provided significant scientific coordination and strategic support throughout the event. The conference aimed to foster dynamic, transdisciplinary dialog, bringing together researchers and industry professionals to exchange insights and co-develop knowledge on smart management in logistics, transport, and industrial engineering. Particular emphasis was placed on the integration of emerging technologies and the development of intelligent, end-to-end supply chain systems.

The first edition of the international conference SMILE successfully addressed the theme of sustainable logistics, with a particular focus on how circular economy principles can be applied to the management of logistics systems and supply chains. The event brought together a diverse range of participants who engaged in rich discussions on the challenges of moving from a linear economic model to a circular one.

Presentations and debates highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain technologies, and big data in supporting this transition. Particular attention was given to the need to adapt logistics operations to meet the requirements of circularity and to overcome key obstacles such as the lack of appropriate infrastructure, tools, and enabling political, economic, and social conditions.

The conference showcased several circular economy models and examined how emerging technologies can be leveraged to optimize logistics processes, improve traceability, and enhance data-driven decision-making for the design and planning of circular logistics networks. A transdisciplinary approach was actively promoted, fostering collaboration across academic and industrial communities.

By bringing together researchers and industry practitioners, SMILE 2025 created a dynamic platform for dialog and knowledge exchange, contributing to the advancement of sustainable and intelligent logistics systems.

The TEC-LOGd Chair’s involvement also reflects an ongoing commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research in circularity, sustainability, and resilient industrial ecosystems through international cooperation and applied innovation.

2. Organizers

• ESITH Morocco, through the Center of Excellence in Logistics (CELOG);
• Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, through the TEC-LOGd Chair (Transport, Circular Economy and Sustainable Logistics).

3. Scopes and Topics

The conference covered a range of key themes addressing the latest advancements, challenges, and innovative solutions in smart management for industrial and logistics engineering. These themes included, but were not limited to, the following:

• Logistics and sustainability,
• Supply chain management and resilience;
• Network design and planning;
• Urban logistics;
• Humanitarian logistics;
• Intelligent transportation systems and vehicle routing;
• Modal/intermodal transportation;
• Terminal management;
• Artificial intelligence and big data;
• Information systems and traceability “blockchain”;
• Decision support systems;
• Modeling, optimization, and simulation;
• Project management;
• Operational research;
• Optimization of production processes and organization;
• Recycling and circular economy;
• Eco-design;
• Industry X.0;
• Environmental and social impacts of transport;
• Risk management.

4. Committee and Speakers

4.1. Committee

The details of the conference committee can be found at https://smile.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/3.

4.2. Editorial Team

• Mustapha Hlyal, morocco hlyal@esith.ac.ma,
  Center of Excellence in Logistics (CELOG), ESITH, Casablanca;
• Abdessamad Ait El Cadi, abdessamad.aitelcadi@uphf.fr
  Univ. Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, CNRS, UMR 8201-LAMIH & INSA Hauts-de-France, F-59313 Valenciennes, France;
  Coordinator of the TEC-LOG^d Chair;
• Kaoutar Kouzmi,
  Center of Excellence in Logistics (CELOG), ESITH, Casablanca, Morocco;
• Mariam Atwani,
  Center of Excellence in Logistics (CELOG), ESITH, Casablanca, Morocco;
• Kenza Izikki,
  Center of Excellence in Logistics (CELOG), ESITH, Casablanca, Morocco.

4.3. Keynote Speakers

• Prof. Joseph Sarkis,
  Business School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA;
• Prof. Said Hanafi,
  INSA Hauts-de-France/Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, France;
• Mr. Mohammed Talal,
  La Voie Express, Morocco.

5. Key Insights and Perspectives

Throughout the sessions of SMILE 2025, a strong consensus emerged around the imperative to transition from traditional linear models to data-driven, circular, and resilient industrial and logistics systems. Keynote speakers and panelists emphasized the transformative role of digitalization, with technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, and advanced simulation positioned as catalysts for operational efficiency and sustainability.

Discussions highlighted the importance of multi-level decision-making frameworks, capable of integrating real-time data, uncertainty, and environmental objectives. Presentations underscored the need for matheuristics and hybrid models in solving complex logistics and supply chain problems. Additionally, several contributions tackled ethical AI deployment, reverse logistics optimization, and eco-design strategies, especially in emerging economies.

A recurring theme was the urgency of aligning industrial innovation with societal needs, particularly in response to geopolitical disruptions, climate challenges, and shifting market dynamics. As such, SMILE 2025 reaffirmed the relevance of interdisciplinary and international collaboration, engaging academia, industry, and policy to co-develop smart and sustainable solutions.

We look forward to welcoming you to the second edition of the SMILE Conference, scheduled for April 2027 in Morocco. Building on the momentum of SMILE 2025, the next edition will continue to serve as a platform for critical exchange and innovation in the smart management of industrial and logistics systems, with an even stronger focus on circular transformation, digital sovereignty, and strategic resilience.