Logistics 4.0 for supply chain performance: perspectives from a retailing case study

Abstract

Purpose

This study considers the potential of logistics 4.0 for supply chain (SC) optimization in French retail. The authors investigate the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies to optimize SC performance in the retail sector and SC's role in the digital transformation in supply chain management (SCM).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first carry out a comprehensive bibliographic taxonomy to highlight the different existing digital tools. Based on this, the authors posed three research questions (RQs) and hypotheses to examine the contribution of logistics 4.0 in improving the performance of retail logistics. Then, the authors considered a case study of retail in France based on qualitative and quantitative analysis to answer all the RQs and examine the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that digital tools such as Cyber Security Systems (CSS), Big Data Analytics (BDA) and Blockchain (BC) technology are the most effective and appropriate tools to optimize the SC performance in retail.

Practical implications

This research work showed that the implementation of these tools in retail can offer several benefits such as improved productivity, optimized delivery times, improved inventory management and secure real-time communication, which leads to improved profitability of the SC.

Originality/value

The study opens a door to develop practical roadmaps for companies that enable smart deliveries based on logistics 4.0.

Citation

Hrouga, M. and Sbihi, A. (2023), "Logistics 4.0 for supply chain performance: perspectives from a retailing case study", Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 29 No. 6, pp. 1892-1919. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-03-2023-0183