Analysis of Logistics and Supply Chain Systems for Sustainable Development

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the analysis of logistic and supply chain systems that advance the sustainability of these systems. This is an area that poses novel research challenges.

Logistics has become the physical backbone of manufacturing and service value chains, and its optimization now spans strategic network design, tactical modal-split and capacity choices, operational routing and scheduling, and collaborative inter-firm coordination. Freight transportation, inventory in motion, packaging, and last-mile distribution collectively consume up to one-third of global transport energy and generate the majority of CO₂, NOₓ, and particulate emissions (Bartolacci et al., 2012; Centobelli et al., 2017; Ren et al., 2020). Against this backdrop, decision-makers are turning to advanced optimization models—rooted in operations research, applied artificial intelligence and business analytics—to engineer low-carbon and resilient supply chain networks that simultaneously meet economic, social, and environmental sustainability objectives (Brandenburg et al., 2014; Jayarathna et al., 2021).

Supply chain systems embed these logistic movements within end-to-end flows, from raw material extraction to post-consumer recovery. Green supply chain design, therefore, integrates green corridor selection, carbon footprint-balanced sourcing, reverse logistics loops for packaging and end-of-life products, and dynamic risk management against disruptions (Fahimnia et al., 2015; Barbosa-Póvoa et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2021; Tetteh et al., 2025). Empirical evidence demonstrates that firms adopting such systemic approaches can simultaneously reduce freight emissions, improve asset utilization, and enhance economic resilience across global networks (Waltho et al., 2018; Gardner et al., 2019; Warmbier, 2025).

This Special Issue brings together the latest research in this field. Scholars are invited to submit original papers that propose innovative optimization models, empirical assessments, or policy frameworks addressing the intersection of transportation logistics, carbon mitigation, and economic resilience.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following research directions:

• Sustainable logistics.
• Reverse logistics.
• Humanitarian logistics.
• Sustainable transportation systems: Routing, location, inventory, etc.
• Sustainable supply chain management.
• Digitalization and sustainable operations.
• Social responsibility in supply chain management.
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals in logistics and supply chains.
• Green innovation in supply chains.
• Closed-loop supply chains: Management of consumer returns, remanufacturing, and recycling.
• Energy-efficient warehouse management.
• Sustainable procurement practices.
• Circular economy.
• Low-carbon economy: Carbon emission regulation, energy-efficient or clean production technologies, and renewable energy strategies.
• Environmental management and performance.
• Sustainability-related risk management.
• The sustainable development of green finance and enterprise.
• Supply chain resilience and security.
• New techniques for logistics and supply chains for the green economy: Artificial intelligence, blockchain, etc.

References

1. Barbosa-Póvoa A. P., da Silva C., Carvalho A. Opportunities and challenges in sustainable supply chain: an operations research perspective. European Journal of Operational Research, 2018: 268(2): 399-431

2. Bartolacci M. R., LeBlanc L. J., Kayikci Y., Grossman T. A. Optimization modeling for logistics: Options and implementations. Journal of Business Logistics. 2012, 33(2): 118-127.

3. Brandenburg M., Govindan K., Sarkis J., Seuring S. Quantitative models for sustainable supply chain management: Developments and directions. European Journal of Operational Research. 2014, 233(2): 299-312.

4. Centobelli P., Cerchione R., Esposito E. Environmental sustainability in the service industry of transportation and logistics service providers: Systematic literature review and research directions. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment. 2017, 53: 454-470.

5. Fahimnia B., Sarkis J., Davarzani H. Green supply chain management: A review and bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Production Economics. 2015, 162: 101-114.

6. Gardner T.A., Benzie M., Börner J., et al. Transparency and sustainability in global commodity supply chains. World Development. 2019, 121: 163-177.

7. Jaehn F. Sustainable operations. European Journal of Operational Research. 2016, 253(2): 243-264.

8. Jayarathna C. P., Agdas D., Dawes L., Yigitcanlar T. Multi-objective optimization for sustainable supply chain and logistics: A review. Sustainability. 2021, 13(24): 13617.

9. Ren R., Hu W., Dong J, et al. A systematic literature review of green and sustainable logistics: bibliometric analysis, research trend and knowledge taxonomy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020, 17(1): 261.

10. Tetteh F. K. Kwateng K. O., Tukue T., et al. Green supply chain management practices: review, framework and future research directions. Journal of Responsible Production and Consumption. 2025, 2(1): 110–148.

11. Waltho C., Elhedhli S., Gzara F. Green supply chain network design: A review focused on policy adoption and emission quantification. International Journal of Production Economics, 2019, 208(FEB.): 305-318.

12. Warmbier P. Resilience and sustainability in global supply chains: paradoxes and strategic responses during crises. Supply Management Research. Advanced Studies in Supply Management. Springer Gabler, Wiesbaden. 2025.

13. Zhang A., Wang J. X., Farooque M., et al. Multi-dimensional circular supply chain management: A comparative review of the state-of-the-art practices and research. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review. 2021, 155, 102509.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Guanghui Zhou
Dr. Dengyuhui Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

• logistics optimization with the sustainable goals
• green routing
• sustainable location
• green inventory management
• circular economy and reverse logistics
• humanitarian logistics
• sustainable transportation system
• closed-loop supply chains management
• social responsibility in supply chain
• green innovation
• environmental management and performance
• supply chain resilience and security
• environmental, social and governance (ESG) management