Logistics service providers’ energy efficiency initiatives for environmental sustainability

Journal article, 2022

Purpose – This paper discusses logistics service providers’ (LSPs’) energy efficiency initiatives for
sustainable development, both from an evolutionary perspective and based on a framework consisting of
actions, processes (i.e. at the operations interface) and services (i.e. at the customer interface).

Design/methodology/approach – Following a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were
conducted with sustainability managers at LSPs and the data were analysed via inductive coding. Based on the results
and the literature, the authors developed a maturity model for LSPs’ transitions to environmental sustainability.
Findings – LSPs’ sustainable development occurs via operational processes, services at the customer
interface, and actions that support those processes and services. Energy efficiency efforts are characterised by
process depth that helps LSPs to align with their customers’ energy efficiency improvement processes. While
services related to energy efficiency connect LSPs and their customers, actions in support vary depending on
the logistics activities in which LSPs participate.

Research limitations/implications – Further research is needed to test and verify the maturity model and
to clarify the interdependency of its three dimensions.

Practical implications – By categorising energy efficiency initiatives and proposing a maturity model for
LSPs’ sustainable development via energy efficiency, the authors have developed a tool for logistics actors to
assess their progress towards improved sustainability.

Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature by providing a three-pillar framework to
understand the sustainability transitions of LSPs through energy efficiency. Developing a maturity model
using this framework also contributes to the literature with an approach to assess sustainability advancement
in the logistics industry.

Keywords Environmental sustainability, Green logistics, Logistics service providers, Maturity model,
Sustainable logistics