Search Results (6)

Background: The growing demand for fresh food leads to extensive use of cold chain logistics (CCL) that significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to its dependence on energy-intensive transport refrigeration units (TRUs). Understanding the need to balance food preservation with environmental sustainability, this paper explores practical strategies for reducing GHG emissions in CCL, focusing on fresh food products. Methods: The quantitative and qualitative analyses are applied to analyse data from Transport for London and Transport Scotland. Emission data were assessed to evaluate the impact of alternative TRU technologies and route optimisation practices. Results: The findings reveal that electric and cryogenic TRUs, along with improved route planning and operational practices, can significantly reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These results highlight the potential strategy for industry-led emission reductions without compromising food quality. Conclusions: This paper recommends the coordination of government policy and industry to support technological adaptation and infrastructure upgrades and to research into real-time monitoring and renewable energy integration in CCL systems. Full article

Addressing the challenges of Industry 4.0 in Thailand’s agri-food logistics (AFL), this study develops a structural logistics management model grounded in the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, Resource-Based View (RBV), and Dynamic Capabilities (DC) theory. The model integrates four key constructs: standardization, operations management, smart technology, and wastage management targeting cold chain logistics (CCL) systems. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines in-depth expert interviews with a quantitative survey of 300 logistics firms certified under the Q Cold Chain standard. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis confirms the robustness of the model (CMIN/DF = 1.151; GFI = 0.928; RMSEA = 0.022), supporting all five hypotheses. The findings show that standardization significantly enhances both operational performance and the adoption of digital technology, while waste reduction acts as a key mediator linking organizational processes to technological transformation. By highlighting institutional certification as a policy instrument, this research addresses existing gaps in logistics innovation literature. The results inform both theory and practice, supporting Thailand’s strategic transition toward sustainable, digitally enabled agri-logistics ecosystems. Full article

This paper discusses the modeling and solution of a cold chain logistics (CCL) problem using artificial intelligence of things (AIoT). The presented model aims to reduce the costs of the entire CCL network by maintaining the minimum quality of cold products distributed to customers. This study considers equipping distribution centers and trucks with IoT tools and examines the advantages of using these tools to reduce logistics costs. Also, four algorithms based on artificial intelligence (AI), including Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO), and Emperor Penguin Optimizer (EPO), have been used in solving the mathematical model. The analysis results show that equipping trucks and distribution centers with the Internet of Things has increased the total costs by 15% compared to before. This approach resulted in a 26% reduction in operating costs and a 60% reduction in transportation costs. As a result of using the Internet of Things, total costs have been reduced by 2.78%. Furthermore, the performance of AI algorithms showed that the high speed of these algorithms is guaranteed against the high accuracy of the obtained results. So, EPO has achieved the optimal value of the objective function compared to a 70% reduction in the solution time. Further analyses show the effectiveness of EPO in the indicators of average objective function, average RPD error, and solution time. The results of this paper help managers understand the need to create IoT infrastructure in the distribution of cold products to customers. Because implementing IoT devices can offset a large portion of transportation and energy costs, this paper provides management solutions and insights at the end. As a result, there is a need to deploy IoT tools in other parts of the mathematical model and its application. Full article

With environmental degradation and energy shortages, green and low-carbon development has become an industry trend, especially in regards to cold chain logistics (CCL), where energy consumption and emissions are substantial. In this context, determining how to scientifically evaluate the cold chain logistics efficiency (CCLE) under carbon emission constraints is of great significance for achieving sustainable development. This study uses the three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist index model to analyze the overall level and regional differences regarding CCLE in China’s four major urban agglomerations, under carbon constraints, from 2010 to 2020. Then, the influencing factors of CCLE are identified through Tobit regression. The results reveal that: (1) the CCLE in the four urban agglomerations is overestimated when carbon constraints are not considered; (2) the CCLE in the four urban agglomerations shows an upward trend from 2010 to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 1.25% in regards to total factor productivity. However, there are significant spatial and temporal variations, with low-scale efficiency being the primary constraint. (3) Different influencing factors have different directions and exert different effects on CCLE in different urban agglomerations, and the improvement of economic development levels positively affects all regions. Full article

Currently, there are multiple COVID-19 outbreaks in China’s imported cold chain product logistics. Cold chain logistics (CCL) have become an important source and weak link of China’s epidemic risk. This article discusses the differential effect of CCL on COVID-19 epidemic risk in different regions of China from an econometric analysis perspective. By comparing the development level of China and foreign countries, it can be observed that the sustainability of CCL may be a key factor affecting the risks of the epidemic. This article confirms the inverse correlation between the level of sustainability of CCL and the risk of epidemics from both mechanism analysis and empirical tests. Developing sustainability is not only beneficial to the development of the CCL industry itself but also an effective way to mitigate the risk of epidemics. Full article

This study investigates the causes of food loss and waste (FLW) from the perspective of logistics service providers (LSPs) and provides sustainable options for the Chinese market. To this end, this study reviews the literature on FLW and cold chain logistics published from 2008–2021. Until recently, little attention has been paid to understanding FLW drivers from the LSP perspective. This critical systematic literature review (SLR) aims to identify the potential drivers of FLW and provide a coherent and integrated knowledge base regarding these factors. A configurative SLR was performed, and after a filtering process, 43 articles were analyzed. Potential factors were identified and categorized into four groups: (i) poor management, (ii) inappropriate operational practices, (iii) high cost, and (iv) restrictions. The results reveal that technical inefficiency and facility costs are the most serious risks, and the lack of legislation and standards constitutes the second most serious risk for FLW. Sustainable solutions are recommended to address these risks. Finally, the study findings provide guidance for LSPs to achieve sustainability in social, economic, and ecological dimensions. Full article