The impact of emerging technologies on efficiency and sustainability in last mile home deliveries - An exploratory study of e-commerce home deliveries in Norway

Abstract

Last mile logistics is considered to be the least efficient part of the home delivery process and has the most pressing sustainability concerns. The rise of e-commerce and the growing trend of online shopping has made this a key challenge in e- commerce and logistics. There is great potential for emerging technologies to increase the efficiency and to improve the sustainability in home deliveries. The purpose of this research is to explore the impact of emerging technologies on efficiency and sustainability in last mile home deliveries. Additionally, this thesis aims to highlight challenges and barriers for the implementation and adoption of these technologies. Hence, the research question of this study is: “How can emerging technologies increase efficiency and sustainability in last mile home deliveries?”. To fully understand the implications, the authors found the following sub-question to be relevant: “What are the barriers hindering a successful implementation of emerging technologies?”. An exploratory study in the form of systematic combining was conducted to answer the research questions. After reviewing the literature, the authors conducted semi- structured interviews with experts within logistics, and experts within emerging technologies. On the basis of expert interviews and the literature, four hypotheses were formed in relation to the research questions. As a final step in the data collection process, these hypotheses were discussed and assessed with insights from industry practitioners. The thesis presents a systematic overview of the relations between selected emerging technologies and relevant performance indicators within efficiency and sustainability. The thesis uses the definition of efficiency as cost efficiency and service level, while sustainability is measured in the three pillars of the triple bottom line; people, planet, and profits. The findings show that emerging technologies can increase the overall efficiency and improve the overall sustainability in last mile home deliveries. A systematic overview of the barriers for implementing emerging technologies is also presented. The barriers are categorized as political, economic, socio-cultural, technological, environmental, and legal.