Exploring Effects of Digitalization on Sustainability in the Logistics Service Industry

Abstract

This chapter is to examine the digitalization practices of logistics service providers (LSPs) from the sustainability point of view by qualitative methods. The sustainability perspective includes social, economic, and environmental viewpoints and focuses on the main managerial implications of implementing digitalization projects, which makes the findings generalizable and independent from the exact cases used for demonstration. The chapter introduces four case studies in detail and the results suggest that digitalization projects have a rather positive effect in terms of economic sustainability. The environmental performance is not significantly changed, but the CO2 emissions can be reduced. Regarding social issues, digitalization projects do not affect the number of employees, the projects introduced in the chapter rather help companies deal with the current workload of employees and secure a more efficient and creative working environment. The key element of implementing digitalization successfully and gaining advantages in terms of sustainability requires strong change management practices.