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In the reduction of food waste and the provision of food to the hungry, food banks play critical roles. However, as they are generally run by charitable organisations that are chronically short of human and other resources, their inbound logistics efforts commonly experience difficulties in two key areas: 1) how to organise stocks of donated food, and 2) how to assess the donated items quality and fitness for purpose. To address both these problems, the authors aimed to develop a novel artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach to food quality and warehousing management in food banks.

For diagnosing the quality of donated food items, the authors designed a convolutional neural network (CNN); and to ascertain how best to arrange such items within food banks' available space, reinforcement learning was used.

Testing of the proposed innovative CNN demonstrated its ability to provide consistent, accurate assessments of the quality of five species of donated fruit. The reinforcement-learning approach, as well as being capable of devising effective storage schemes for donated food, required fewer computational resources that some other approaches that have been proposed.

Viewed through the lens of expectation-confirmation theory, which the authors found useful as a framework for research of this kind, the proposed AI-based inbound-logistics techniques exceeded normal expectations and achieved positive disconfirmation.

As well as enabling machines to learn how inbound logistics are handed by human operators, this pioneering study showed that such machines could achieve excellent performance: i.e., that the consistency provided by AI operations could in future dramatically enhance such logistics' quality, in the specific case of food banks.

This paper’s AI-based inbound-logistics approach differs considerably from others, and was found able to effectively manage both food-quality assessments and food-storage decisions more rapidly than its counterparts.

The importance of integrating sustainability into business activities rises continuously. In addition to an established focus on forward logistics, there is a growing awareness of reverse logistics. Reverse logistics ensures sustainable practices and increases competitiveness for companies, but it also comes with challenges. Therefore, the implementation of reverse logistics is associated with uncertainties. This paper aims to fill this gap by analyzing the development and comprehensive potential of reverse logistics as a sustainability tool.

To bridge the research gap, a real-time Delphi study was conducted. Through an extensive desk research, semi-structured interviews and an expert workshop, 14 projections for the German food sector of 2040 were created. A total of 49 experts in the field of logistics, reverse logistics and food logistics assessed the future projections concerning estimated probability, impact and desirability of occurrence.

The findings derived lead to three possible future scenarios as well as potential drivers and barriers that food companies, the government and society need to consider to enable a successful transition toward implementing reverse logistics in food supply chains.

The study examined the future role of reverse logistics as a sustainability tool in food supply chains. The results serve as a framework for decision-making on the sustainable orientation of business practices, leading to increased competitiveness and resilient business strategy. Several implications are derived for practitioners, policymakers and society to promote reverse logistics. Methodologically, this study extends existing Delphi methods by conducting a quantitative dissent and sentiment analysis, considering various surface-level and deep-level diversity characteristics.

The purpose of this paper is to expand understandings of how logistics can reduce food waste in food supply chains (FSCs).

Using a research framework that associates causes of food waste with logistics solutions, a multiple-case study was conducted in three Swedish FSCs of meat, fruit and vegetables, and ambient products, respectively, and involving industrial producers, wholesalers, and retailers. Data were collected during 19 semistructured interviews and four site visits, and logistics solutions were analysed according to logistics activities, actors involved and their stages in the FSC, and coordination mechanisms.

A joint analysis of nine logistics solutions revealed that to efficiently reduce food waste in FSCs, solutions have been implemented at three stages of FSCs, as well as that those solutions differ in their integration of six logistics activities and four coordination mechanisms. The findings moreover indicate that the solutions are interlinked, thereby implying that coordination is necessary both within solutions as well as among them.

The chief limitation is that the potential of the identified logistics solutions is not quantified.

The paper makes recommendations for reducing food waste in FSCs by developing new solutions and modifying existing ones.

The paper suggests ways to reduce significant environmental impacts of food waste.

By building upon previous research explaining causes of food waste, this paper focusses on logistics solutions for reducing such waste.

The purpose of this paper is to identify in what way logistics service providers are involved in the logistics operations of omnichannel retailers. Given the importance of logistics in omnichannel retail and the complexities that it brings forth, it is unclear if the current tendency towards logistics outsourcing continues, and how logistics service providers should adapt to remain relevant in the omnichannel retail environment.

The research draws on both desk and field research. The authors analysed the scientific information available on omnichannel retail logistics and conducted semi-structured expert interviews with food and non-food retailers that adopt an omnichannel model.

The research demonstrates distinct differences between food and non-food retailers. While food retailers are inclined to organise fulfilment and last mile activities in-house, non-food retailers partner closely with logistics service providers. Nonetheless, the store network of non-food retailers is attracting a growing part of logistics activities, which retailers are building themselves. To sustain their relevance in the omnichannel environment and strengthen their position for the future, the authors created a competency recommendation framework for logistics service providers, in which service differentiation is proposed as a viable direction for growth.

The research is based on insights from retailers based in the Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium) and requires further and wider testing in other contexts and geographical areas.

The findings have strategic importance for retailers that are developing an omnichannel retail model and logistics service providers that (aim to) serve clients and operate activities within the retail sector.

The research provides a holistic view of logistics in omnichannel retail by identifying insourcing and outsourcing mechanisms and developing competency recommendations to fulfilment, internal transport and last mile transport in omnichannel retail.

According to the “classical” school of thought , the implementation of a firm’s strategy can be the result of a deliberate and rational process, or alternatively an emergent and non‐intentional one. The rising importance of logistics in retail strategy, and, in particular, the impact of centralisation of logistical activities upon the development of a retail logistics strategy, necessitates an in‐depth examination of the relevant company actions. This paper identifies which strategic approach is followed by domestic and multinational firms that operate in the Greek food multiple retail sector. The findings point out the major importance of warehousing in multinational firms’ logistics operations and the vital role of logistics in multinational retailers’ strategy. Multinational firms follow a deliberate logistics strategy that leads to increased logistics efficiency when compared to domestic firms that follow the emergent logistics strategy.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the strength and weakness connected to the implementation of a local food logistics services, designed to facilitate and enable the use of local food among restaurants.

A total of 60 restaurateurs located in a small Italian city and 100 owners of micro and small-sized farms, located within a 30 km radius from the city, have been interviewed. The collected data have been analysed through descriptive analysis and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests for differences between gender, production type and business size.

The results agree with existing literature: poor communication and an unstructured logistics limit the interaction among actors. However, significant for the purpose, the data show that producers are interested in expanding their market and restaurateurs are interested in a broader supply of local products, and they both open to a logistics service that improves the supply of local food.

The following exploratory study is based on a sample of farmers and restaurants in a specific area so the results could not be generalised in a national/international context.

The logistics service objective is the promotion of a sustainable territory development in support of the social economy values.

The study investigates this issue focussing on a practical solution of local food distribution system among restaurants. The logistics service tends to solve the logistics criticalities maintaining the principles of the short food supply chain.

The purpose of this paper is to present a decision‐making framework for outsourcing levels of logistics activities. These are: execution level of basic activities (such as transportation, warehousing); value‐added activities; planning and control level of activities (such as transportation and inventory management); and strategic decision‐making level of activities (distribution network design).

The research design comprises three stages. Literature review was undertaken to study outsourcing theories. Successively, case studies on three food manufacturers were conducted resulting in a framework for make‐or‐buy decision. Finally, an exploratory survey was undertaken to examine the determinant factors for outsourcing the different activities.

Results indicate that logistics activities at different levels are outsourced for different reasons. Three main determinant factors are identified: asset specificity, core closeness and supply chain complexity. This implies that the evaluation of outsourcing different activities requires insights of three theories, namely transaction cost, resource‐based and supply chain management theory.

The research and resulting framework are based on three small cases. Furthermore, there are few companies that outsource higher levels of activities, which limits the statistical assessment of the survey results.

The framework can support the decision‐making process for outsourcing different logistics activities in food industry.

The key contribution of this paper is that it creates a comprehensive framework for outsourcing of both basic and advanced logistics activities specifically for the food industry.

This study aims to identify the barriers to halal logistics implementation; rank the barriers of halal logistics implementation in food, beverage and ingredient companies; and identify the relationship among the identified barriers of halal logistics implementation to derive key managerial insights.

The paper first describes the concepts of halal logistics and discusses the barriers in implementing halal logistics from previous research studies. Then, on the basis of previous research, this study identifies 13 barriers to halal logistics implementation. The study uses interpretive structural modelling (ISM) methodology to find the rank of the barriers and also the direct or indirect relationship among those barriers. The study also uses a panel of experts consisting of the representative from Lembaga Pengkajian Pangan, Obat-obatan, dan Kosmetika Majelis Ulama Indonesia (The Assessment Institute for Foods, Drugs, and Cosmetics – The Indonesian Council of Ulama or LPPOM MUI) and the representatives from 23 food, beverage and ingredient companies to determine the rank of, and the relationship among, the 13 barriers.

The result of data processing with ISM methodology indicated that lack of support for logistic service providers and lack of customer demand and reluctance to pay for halal logistics occupied the topmost level. These barriers are affected at the lower level and have less influence than the remaining barriers. The result with ISM methodology also indicated that lack of commitment of management is the main barrier to implementing halal logistics. Moreover, according to the result of data processing with ISM methodology, this study suggests some managerial implications to overcome the barriers that hinder halal logistics implementation.

This study has several limitations. First, the scope of the study is limited to the barriers faced by Indonesian food, beverage and ingredient companies and overlooks other barriers to halal logistics encountered by other industries or other services as well as other regions or countries (i.e. other Muslim or non-Muslim countries). Future studies should attempt to uncover other industries or other services or a cross-industry comparison as well as other regions, other countries or a cross-region or cross-country comparison. The second limitation is related to the possibility of biased opinions from the experts, and the third limitation is that the identified barriers do not test in a real environment. To eliminate these limitations, future studies should involve more experts from different areas of the halal industry and should test the identified barriers to implement halal logistics in the real scenario.

This study assists managers and policymakers in understanding the order in which these barriers must be tackled and adopts a strategy to successfully implement halal logistics.

The study has indicated that the barriers to implementing halal logistics can be mitigated because these barriers have the most influence on the system identified.

This study considers the application of ISM methodology to an empirical case of barriers so as to implement halal logistics. The study uniquely contributes to the field of halal logistics because it represents initial research that has analysed the barriers of halal logistics using ISM methodology.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that motivate the consumers in Malaysia to pay for halal logistics and its consequences on their demand for halal logistics certification.

Data were collected through a survey responded 313 randomly selected consumers. Partial least squares technique was employed in the analysis.

Results showed that consumers’ perception on halal logistics, their concern about halal, and media coverage have positive and significant effects on consumers’ willingness to pay for halal logistics. Furthermore, positive relationship exists between willingness to pay and the extent of demand for the halal logistics certification.

The findings of the study will be useful for the policy makers and managers of halal food companies because they can guide them in increasing the demand for the halal logistics.

Although halal logistics play a key role in supporting the halal status of any given halal foods, the demand for this service is low. Thus, this study contributes to the advancement of knowledge on the drivers of consumers’ willingness to pay for halal logistics.

The purpose of this paper is as follows: first, this study aims to identify the impact of internal and external factors on the implementation of halal logistics (IHL). Second, this study aims to investigate the impact of internal factors on the IHL through competitive pressure (COP) as a moderating variable.

This study used primary data that were collected through offline questionnaires. The questionnaires were intended to identify the internal and external conditions of a company and the level of the IHL. The internal condition consists of five factors, namely corporate image and reputation (CRE), entrepreneurial intensity, social responsibility (SRE), expected business benefit and halal integrity (HIN). The external factors consist of demand or customer pressure (DCP), government support (GOV), market share expansion and COP. This study considered the factors belonged to internal and external companies on the basis of the conceptual model from Ab Talib et al. (2015), Zailaini et al. (2015) and Ab Talib and Chin (2018) as they have clearly distinguished the important factors for the implementation of the concept of halal into internal and external groups and most of those factors are frequently stated by the other researchers.

There were 148 questionnaires administrated, 84.5% of which were properly filled in, completed and returned. For internal factors, the result of the study confirms that CRE, SRE and HIN have a positive significant impact on the IHL. For external factors, the result of the study confirms that DCP, GOV and COP have a positive significant impact on the IHL. Then, the result of the study also confirms that COP can make the impact of good CRE on the IHL stronger. This condition did not happen for the other internal factors.

First, it is debatable that internal and external factors and the IHL are only measured by the Likert scales. Future research may take the benefits of inducing qualitative approaches to better measure the condition of internal and external factors and the level of IHL practices through observation and probing. Second, this study was limited to the respondents from companies in Indonesia, which is a Muslim-dominant country and this study does not take into account the differences in the target market and the company’s owner, size of operation and financial capacity. Future research should test the conceptual model in a non-Muslim country and should include controlling for variables to generate a more conducive finding. Third, this study only uses the limited variable as the internal and external factors. Therefore, as many variables represent technological, organisational and environmental factors, they could be included in the future research framework.

This study practically contributes to the halal concept implementation body of knowledge by identifying the relationships between the internal and external factors and the IHL. Understanding this relationship will help the management of food, beverage and ingredient companies, as well as the government or policymakers in making better decisions and strategies to strengthen the IHL.

The IHL may help the food, beverage and ingredient companies to be competitive and achieve organisational improvements.

This study is among the few studies that scrutinized the rationale behind the IHL by Indonesian companies. Although halal logistics plays a key role in protecting the halal status of any given product, this topic is still rarely explored, especially with the case study of Indonesian companies.