Smart, Agile, Sustainable & Integrated: The Logistics of the Future

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last few years, the complexity of logistics operations has grown significantly due to the increase in e-commerce sales, customer requests for frequent and omni-channel distribution, and the need for faster response times. Concepts such as Industry 4.0 and smart logistics have induced enterprises to deeply integrate logistics with information systems, new business models, and automation, hence gradually shifting towards more efficient, intelligent, and humanized supply chain ecosystems.

This Special Issue invites papers from experienced scholars and practitioners that systematically address the development of logistics operations and put forward constructive research topics and views. In particular, we seek contributions on applied business research methods, ranging from qualitative to quantitative and hybrid/mixed methods, that advance the theory and practice of the following areas and beyond:

• Agile and smart logistics operations;
• Warehouse optimization;
• Order-picking technologies;
• Warehouse robotics and automation;
• Digital twin in logistics operations;
• Logistics 4.0 technologies (e.g., IoT, machine learning, artificial intelligence, AGVs, drones, AMRs);
• Logistics information systems;
• City logistics and urban consolidation centers;
• Shared logistics;
• Vehicle routing and scheduling methods and systems;
• Last-mile orchestration;
• Omni-channel distribution models and technologies;
• Reverse logistics;
• Green logistics;
• Sustainable transport;
• Smart and sustainable transport terminals.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Vasilis Zeimpekis
Dr. Michael A. Madas
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Logistics is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.