Sustainable Management and Digital Transformation for Logistics, Supply Chain, and Procurement

Dear Colleagues,                   

The convergence of sustainability and digital transformation is reshaping logistics, supply chain, and procurement, presenting unprecedented opportunities and challenges for businesses and policymakers alike. As global supply chains face mounting pressure to reduce their environmental impacts while maintaining efficiency, digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics—are emerging as critical enablers of sustainable practices. This Special Issue of Sustainability explores the dynamic interplay between sustainable management and digital innovation, aiming to advance theoretical and practical insights into how digital transformation can drive ecological, economic, and social sustainability in supply chain operations.                  

We invite cutting-edge research that examines the integration of green logistics, circular economy principles, and low-carbon procurement strategies with digital tools, addressing key questions such as the following: How can digitalization enhance transparency and resilience in sustainable supply chains? What are the risks and opportunities of deploying smart technologies for ethical sourcing and waste reduction? By fostering interdisciplinary dialog, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the development of agile, responsible, and future-ready supply chain frameworks that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).                  

Contributions may span empirical studies, theoretical models, case analyses, and policy reviews, offering actionable strategies for academia, industry, and governance. Together, we aspire to chart a path toward digitally empowered, sustainable supply chains that balance planetary boundaries with competitive advantage.                  

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

1. Digital technologies for sustainable supply chains:        

• AI and machine learning for optimizing green logistics and reducing carbon footprints;        
• Blockchain for transparent and ethical sourcing, anti-counterfeiting, and fair-trade procurement;        
• IoT and smart sensors for real-time monitoring of emissions, waste, and energy efficiency;    
• Big data analytics for sustainable demand forecasting and circular supply chain design.

2. Green logistics and low-carbon operations:       

• Decarbonization strategies in freight transport and last-mile delivery (e.g., electric vehicles, drones);        
• Digital twins for simulating and improving sustainable logistics networks;        
• Sustainable warehousing: automation, energy-efficient storage, and waste reduction;       
• Reverse logistics and e-waste management enabled by digital platforms.

3. Circular economy and sustainable procurement:       

• Digital marketplaces for secondary materials and remanufactured goods;        
• Supplier sustainability assessment using AI-driven ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) metrics;        
• Smart contracts for enforcing circular economy principles in procurement;        
• Digital product passports (DPPs) for tracking material flows and enabling recycling.

4. Resilience and ethical supply chains:        

• Predictive analytics for risk management in climate-affected supply chains;        
• Digital tools for combating modern slavery and ensuring ethical labor practices;        
• Blockchain-based traceability for conflict minerals and deforestation-free sourcing;        
• Post-pandemic supply chain restructuring: balancing sustainability and agility.

5. Policy, governance, and stakeholder collaboration:        

• Regulatory frameworks for digital and sustainable supply chains (e.g., EU Green Deal, CSRD);        
• Public–private partnerships in innovative and sustainable logistics infrastructure;        
• Digital platforms for cross-industry collaboration on sustainability goals;        
• Consumer-driven sustainability: how digital transparency influences purchasing behavior.                  

These themes encourage interdisciplinary research, blending technological innovation with sustainability imperatives to advance both theory and practice in supply chain management.              

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Bernardo Nicoletti
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.

• sustainability
• digital transformation
• green logistics
• supply chain resilience
• circular economy
• artificial intelligence (AI)
• blockchain
• innovative procurement
• carbon neutrality
• ethical sourcing