Logistics 4.0 in the transportation process: from the conceptualization to a research agenda

Purpose - This paper aims to clarify the meaning of Logistics 4.0 applied to the transportation process by providing a framework conceptualising its constituent dimensions. Regarded as a complementary approach to Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0 is intended to provide a solution to the increasing management complexity of contemporary transportation systems. Being a field of new inquiry, the existing academic literature still lacks a common definition of the concept. Consequently, it is not clear how Logistics 4.0 can be applied to the transportation process and how organizations can seize the related emerging opportunities. Research Approach - A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to derive the conceptual framework classifying the constituent dimensions of Logistics 4.0 for the transportation process. In a first round, 257 papers were identified and analysed. Then, 29 papers were selected consistently with the aim of the paper, covering the period from 2007 to 2020. Findings and Originality - The developed conceptual framework includes three types of constituent dimensions: (1) the Logistics 4.0 principles define how to create value for the transportation process, (2) the value creation layers represent the bridging link between the design principles and the dimensions of the transportation process for the value creation, and (3) the process dimensions indicate the characteristics of the process that allow to distinguish a Logistics 4.0 transportation process from a traditional one. Research directions in the area of Logistics 4.0 for transportation process are identified and discussed. This research is original as it provides a novel framework of Logistics 4.0 for the transportation process, highlighting its constituent dimensions that should inform theory and practice. Research Impact - This paper contributes to our knowledge on Logistics 4.0 and provides a fresh perspective on a fast developing research topic. The developed framework consolidates the extant contributions about Logistics 4.0 in transportation and extends the existing theory by clarifying the meaning of Logistics 4.0 applied to the transportation process and conceptualizing its constituent dimensions. Practical Impact - This research has a number of practical impacts. The proposed framework provides companies with a deeper understanding of Logistics 4.0 in the transportation process. It also supports companies in creating value through Logistics 4.0 and in configuring their transportation process according to the highlighted constituent dimensions.