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The purpose of this paper is to explore the environmental impact of logistics service provider (LSP) activities in the light of customer priorities and the fragmentation of the road haulage industry in Europe. It also explores the extent to which LSPs can actually monitor the environmental impact of logistics activities in the supply chain (SC).

The research is based on a narrative literature review, an interview study, a case survey and three in-depth case studies. A framework on sustainability challenges in SCs, derived from the literature, is used to structure and analyse the findings.

Despite the ambitious environmental schemes communicated by several LSPs, they show little interest in, and exert little control over, the actual emissions generated from their transport operations. It is clear from the results that any real concern from customers for environmental solutions which negatively influence the cost and time requirements of logistics services is not yet a reality.

This paper implies that LSP sustainability cannot be investigated in isolation if a company does not manage its proprietary resources (like owning trucks and employing drivers), but rather engage subcontractors.

Environmental policies among different LSPs appear to be similar as policies, but differ in practice. This variation of practices emphasises the importance of follow-up control by environmentally aware buyers of logistics services.

This paper represents a novel approach as to how LSP environmental policies should be viewed. It highlights the concrete need for action to achieve the environmental targets of 2020 and 2050 for carbon emissions from road transportation.

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on how perspectives and assumptions embedded in the complexity paradigm contribute to make logistics management research better aligned with real-life logistics. This is necessary, due to increasing supply chain complexity caused by an increasing request for sustainable development (SD).

The research is exploratory and based on a narrative literature review of logistics and supply chain management (SCM) from a complexity science perspective. Qualitative research interviews have been conducted with 12 logistics and supply chain managers in international companies and have focussed on their daily experiences and the underlying assumptions related to their actual work.

Logistics and SCM research is embedded in the functionalistic paradigm with reductionistic assumptions as the dominant logic. These do not sufficiently align with the complexity related, for example, to the daily work of SD in logistics management practice.

It is proposed that the inclusion of complexity-based assumptions in logistics management research can increase realism in the advancement of the discipline. A key result is that the recognition of logistics as complex means inclusion of human and social aspects – which is apparent in any logistics process or phenomenon – in logistics knowledge creation processes.

Increased realism in logistics management research by addressing complexity, instead of merely reducing it, will provide logistics and supply chain managers with increased understanding and appropriate knowledge when they deal with emerging challenges such as SD.

Based on Boulding’s levels of complexity, this paper challenges the underlying assumptions of logistics management in research and practice, and provides reflective frameworks for advancing the discipline and aligning it to the complexity of contemporary challenges in logistics management.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a paradigmatic reflection on theoretical approaches recently identified in logistics and supply chain management (SCM); namely complex adaptive systems and complexity thinking, and to compare it to the dominant approach in logistics and SCM research, namely the systems approach. By analyzing the basic assumptions of the three approaches, SCM and logistics researchers are guided in their choice of research approaches which increases their awareness of the consequences different approaches have on theory and practice.

The point of departure for the research presented is conceptualization based on literature reviews. Furthermore, years of observations, discussions and empirical studies of logistics operations and management have also influenced the design of this research.

With a discourse set in relation to the dominant approach in SCM and logistics research, the systems approach, it is concluded that the underlying assumptions of complex adaptive systems and complexity thinking are more appropriate than systems approach for contemporary challenges of organizational complexity in SCM and logistics. It is found that the two complexity‐based approaches can advance SCM and logistics research and practice especially when focusing on innovation, learning and sense‐making.

Reflections of underlying assumptions when considering and selecting methodological approaches have implications for research results. This paper provides both a framework for and an analysis of such reflection which contributes to the further development of SCM and logistics research. Future research is needed to empirically provide insights on how complexity approaches can advance the area of SCM and logistics.

For logistics researchers and practitioners dealing with creativity, innovation, learning and sense‐making and other human‐related aspects, the complexity approaches, with underlying assumptions, presented will provide reflection, inspiration and guidance for further development.

This paper contributes to the further development of SCM and logistics research and practice by providing a reflective analysis and discussion of established and new research approaches with potential benefits for the SCM and logistics community.

The purpose of this paper is to present findings concerning what logistics managers perceive as being difficult and challenging, and what implications this may have for further advances in the logistics discipline.

The point of departure for this study was to reflect on perceived problems, uncertainties, trends, and solutions in logistics, and how they are handled in the everyday work. The study was exploratory, inspired by grounded theory and aimed at providing grounds for further theory building in the area of real logistics.

The findings of this study was related to human, organizational and social aspects, i.e. how understanding and sense‐making can be accomplished in logistics efforts. A major outcome from this research endeavor was initial, empirically derived arguments toward theories of complex logistics.

One primary finding of importance was the identification of understanding and sense‐making of concepts, techniques and models in logistics. Thus, future research is needed to provide insights and guidance on how human factors can be considered and elaborated by management in logistics situations.

Logistics complexity needs consideration when logistics processes and phenomena are approached to ensure increase understanding for people involved and affected, and for the sense‐making of logistics phenomena.

This paper contributes to knowledge and understanding of uncertainty and challenges in logistics with focus on human aspects and perception. Previously, most research has focused on structural aspects and quantitative factors.

This paper aims to contribute to the tactical and operational decision making of manufacturing and logistics operations by providing novel insights into modelling and simulation, based on complex adaptive systems (CAS).

The research approach is theoretically based on CAS with agent‐based modelling (ABM) as the implementation method. A case study is presented where an agent‐based model has contributed to increased understanding and precision in decision making at a packaging company in the UK.

The results suggest that ABM provides decision‐makers with robust and accurate “what‐if” scenarios of the dynamic interplay among several business functions. These scenarios can guide managers in the process of moving from policy space to performance space, i.e. concerning priorities of improvement efforts and choices of production/manufacturing policies, warehouse policies, customer service policies and logistics policies. Furthermore, it is found that ABM can include and pay attention to several aspects of CAS and thus provide understanding of, and explanation for, the patterns and effects which emerge in manufacturing and logistics settings.

Aided by agent‐based models and simulations, practitioners' levels of intuition can be enhanced since patterns on the macro level emerge from agents' interactive behaviour. Together with insights from CAS these emergent patterns can be explained and understood, and are thus beneficial for the improvement of decision making in companies.

The case presented distinguishes this paper from what has been written in previous articles on the application of ABM, since such articles have not produced any empirically verified results after implementation of ABM.

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into, and guidance on, how to balance packaging standardisation and adaptation strategies in different markets in the fast moving consumer electronic goods (FMCEG) industry.

The research was explorative in nature and was utilised in a case study format. The main data collection methods were a literature review, interviews, and field studies.

The paper presents two models developed to: classify markets according to product/packaging visibility at the retailers; and to evaluate packaging portfolios. The use of these models provides insights and understanding for companies aiming to develop their packaging portfolios to increase their sales and make distribution more effective.

The models developed were valuable in the analysis of the packaging strategy. Significantly, synergies emerged when the models were combined. Professionals can apply these models to other global companies in the FMCEG industry.

This paper contributes to the debate on global standardisation vs local adaptation by taking a packaging perspective. This paper also demonstrates the need for global companies in the FMCEG industry to understand the value of packaging in different markets.

The aim of this research is to examine the evolvement of enterprise risk management (ERM) in Sweden. We examine how the Swedish legal and self-regulatory framework influences ERM development. We examine the impact of ERM research on practice, the professionalization of ERM facilitated by professional bodies and associations, and its promotion by the evolvement of principles and practices. This research is based on interviews with national experts ¹ at the policy level as well as four field visits to large Swedish organizations in order to deepen our understanding of ERM integration with corporate governance, accounting, and disclosures. We find that: There is no obvious misalignment between the legal and self-regulatory framework and ERM practices in organizations; ERM is more integrated with disclosures than with governance and accounting practices; decentralized organizations experience more difficulty in integrating ERM compared to centralized organizations; no tensions were evident between compliance and business partnering in the four field visits, enabling ERM integration; regulation can be useful in promoting minimum standards for ERM integration. This study adds to our understanding of ERM integration and the role of unique governing contracts in linking profitability, growth and risk from an ERM perspective. It also deepens our understanding of ERM integration as a multidimensional construct.

The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe the strategic potential of logistics‐driven packaging innovation in retail supply chains, and suggest propositions for further research and development, providing practitioners with a better basis on which to make strategic packaging and logistics decisions.

An in‐depth case study was conducted at a large global retailer which had implemented an innovative unit load carrier. The case study highlights a previously inaccessible phenomenon, as this type of unit load carrier has only been implemented on a large‐scale in the studied retailer's supply chain. In order to explore the impact of the innovative unit load carrier, the case study draws on a longitudinal research approach.

The case study demonstrates the potential of logistics‐driven packaging innovation in retail supply chains. It provides detailed insights into the impact of an innovative unit load carrier on different supply chain echelons. These insights emphasise the need for a systems perspective in order to understand the total impact of packaging innovations on supply chains.

The case study focuses on the impact of a particular innovation on a particular supply chain. Even though the consequences in other supply chains may be different, this study provides detailed explanations and illustrative examples which generate insights relevant to other firms and supply chains.

This paper provides an understanding of potential trade‐offs between standardised and differentiated packaging, providing practitioners with a better basis for making decisions on packaging design and development.

The paper illustrates the need to consider packaging as a strategic component which contributes to overall supply chain performance. To support strategic packaging decision‐making propositions for packaging innovation in retail supply chains are provided.

The purpose of this article is to explore themes and challenges in making supply chains environmentally sustainable.

The study began with a systematic review, and content analysis of articles in top‐ranking related journals from logistics, transport, sustainability and environmental areas, and ended with research propositions contributing to the further advancement of supply chain management.

The findings illustrate the major themes published in 18 journals concentrating on sustainable supply chains with special focus on environmental issues. From the systematic review five major areas of challenges for supply chain management are derived: costs, complexity, operationalisation, mindset and cultural changes, and uncertainties. From all of these areas synthesising discussions are provided and research propositions suggested. It is concluded that there is a great need for models and frameworks that consider the complexity involved, take holistic perspectives, and challenge the basic assumptions underlying most of the research published (i.e. reductionism, positivism and economic growth).

Sustainability in this article is mainly related to environmental issues. Analysis of complex interactions between environmental, social and economic aspects might provide opportunities for future research.

The results presented in this paper provide a systematic structure for classifying issues related to logistics sustainability; something which will be beneficial for managers and policy‐makers when they approach sustainable supply chain management challenges.

This paper provides propositions for research based on the emergent outcome of challenges that can guide research, industry and policy‐makers in future sustainability efforts.