Abstract
The research paper addresses the various implications of adopting green logistics in transport and logistics management. The paper presents the proposed changes that green logistics will initiate in the logistics industry. The research paper reviews the contribution of researchers to the research question. Some literature argues that green logistics have cost implications for the future of transportation and logistics. Some authors argue that green logistics will redefine the management of suppliers in transport and logistics. Research results further depict green logistics revising the packaging formulae in the future transportation industry.
The contribution of some authors stresses the fact that green that logistics will introduce co-shipment and re-usage of resources as initiatives in the future logistics and transportation industry. Scholarly arguments indicate that going green will add local sourcing and adoption of clean power in the future transport and logistics sector. Green logistics should be adopted and executed to reduce on the cost implications involved transport and logistics fraternity. The re-use of resources and revision of packaging methods should be approved to minimize plastic and polythene usage. The enlightenment of logistics consumers on the relevance of green logistics is key in assuring its adoption.
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The inclusion of green logistics initiatives in the international standards of transport and logic is a relevant intervention towards achieving a greener supply chain. Product specialization could help to market green logistics enterprises. Adopting the culture of recycling is a credible intervention of incorporating green logistic ingenuity. The spellings of green logistics should be adopted as ethical values in the transport and logistics industry. The initiative of going green in transportation and logistics should be taken to boost efficiency through local sourcing. The green logistics initiative should be implemented to shape the performance of suppliers in the passage and logistics market. The future of freight and logistics relies on green logistics initiative for sustainability and safety purposes.
Introduction
The green logistics initiative entails the use of ecofriendly approaches in executing the operation in the transport and logistics industry. The incorporation of green logistics initiatives will impact the future freight and logistics industry in various ways. The cost of transporting cargo will reduce in the next courtesy of the green logistics initiative. Multiple scholars have in the subject of the implications of green logistics to the passage and logistics industry. Various researchers uphold the prospective effect of cost reduction due to going green initiative. Some authors indicate that the green logistics ingenuity will redefine the performance of suppliers and the various modes of packaging. Moreover, the paper presents the contribution authors who perceive green logistic initiative as the initiator of clean power use. The paper proposes the adoption of green logistics ingenuity to reduce carbon emission and foster efficiency in the freight industry.
A Literature Review in Relevance to The Research Question
Chhabra et al. (2017) address the green logistics initiative as a liberator from the economic complexities involved in the freight and logistics market. The article argues that green logistic initiative holds affected suggestions that could cut on production cost and subsequently reducing the passage and logistics cost. The authors of the report say that green logistics ingenuity involved re-use of packaging material and therefore reducing the cost of packaging. The initiative would allow flexibility of transportation costs through a reduction in packaging cost (Aziz, Jaafar & Tajuddin, 2016). Moreover, the author highlights that local sourcing will reduce the distance covered in the delivery of cargo. According to the article, minimizing the miles to be included in cargo delivery reflects to reduce transportation and logistics expenditure.
The contribution of Karia & Asaari (2016) hints that the green logistics initiative will realign the management of suppliers in the cargo and logistics industry. The authors indicate that the ultimate control of the supplier will change to accommodate the eco-sensitivity issues introduced by green logistics enterprises. The provisions of green logistics ingenuity instruct suppliers to package the cargo in eco-friendly methodology. The adoption of going green initiatives will adopt the re-usage of packaging material by the suppliers (Cousins, Lawson, Petersen & Fugate, 2019). The authors present poor packaging as one of the significant contributors to pollution caused during freight and transportation operations.
Moreover, according to the authors, the green logistic initiative will introduce co-shipment as a strategy for reducing packaging complexities. Co-shipment involves the packaging of different orders as a single cargo. The authors laud the co-shipment ideology of green logistics as a relevant measure both the cost of packaging and the amount of pollution caused by packaging material such as plastic. Besides, according to the authors, the provisions of green logistics ingenuity will define the type of material packaging (Karia & Asaari, 2016). The book proposes the use of decomposable materials in manufacturing packaging material. Besides, the authors suggest that the green logistics initiative should provide enforcement procedures for persons who fail to comply with the new packaging definitions.
Khan et al. (2018) demonstrate that the adoption of green logistic ideology will reduce air pollution by mitigation of emissions from freight and logistics operations. According to the authors, the future passage and logistics market will release decreasing levels of carbon waste. The spellings of the green logistic ideology are to introduce the usage of clean sources of fuel. Shaharudin, et al. (2018) focuses on the adoption of electricity as a source of fuel in transportation. The impact of green logistic already seen in the automobile industry through the manufacture of a special model of cars that use electricity as a source of fuel. According to the authors, the implementation of green logistics initiatives will increase the mass manufacture of rechargeable cars in the future to meet the high demand for clean power.
Moreover, Aziz et al. (2016) argue that green logistics ingenuity will reduce carbon emissions through the idea of local sourcing. Local sourcing entails availing goods and services closer to the consumer. The provisions of green logistics propose the cargo and logistics companies should reduce the proximity between the warehouses and the consumers. According to the authors, local sourcing will reduce the distances covered in delivering the goods. The initiative focuses on reducing the consumption of petroleum fuel and subsequent emissions.
Moreover, the green logistic ideology will reduce pollution through radiation by incorporating co-shipment initiative. Although some authors perceive co-shipping as a measure to reduce transportation costs, Schmidt et al. (2017) depicts that the proposal reduces the rate of carbon emissions. According to the authors, co-shipping will reduce the number of trucks or vehicles used in a particular operation and therefore minimizing on amount of carbon emitted during delivery of cargo.
Petljak et al. (2018) argue that green logistics ideology will impact the future cargo and logistics industry through improving transportation infrastructure. According to the authors, the proposals for green logistics demand a sophisticated transportation infrastructure. If the green logistic ingenuity survives, the transportation infrastructure will have to adjust to accommodate the improved transportation system. For instance, the green logistic initiative will result in the development of electric train stations in various parts of the world. Moreover, the rail system will be revised to cushion the new changes attributed to the introduction of the electric train. Besides, the introduction of rechargeable cars will result in the development of recharging infrastructure around the world. The road networks will be revised to accommodate the high speed of electric cars and trucks.
Garza-Reyes et al. (2016) bring in a wonderful yet relevant view of the subject topic. The authors argue adoption of green logistics will introduce a new generation of the task force in the transportation and logistics industry. The green logistics ideology proposes many changes in the sector that require new recruitment or fresh training of the workforce. For instance, enlightened of truck drivers on how to operate an electric driven vehicle. The green logistic ideology will introduce more sophisticated methods of transportation, which will require sophisticated knowledge to operate. The phenomenon will result in the development of a fresh workforce that can tackle the new challenges introduced by the green logistic initiative.
Moreover, the authors argue that adopting the initiative will result in the development of a new supply workforce. The spellings of the green logistic ingenuity dictate that new packaging technology should be incorporated. The new packaging technologies will result in the emergence of a new task force that has the skill and can package as spelled out by the green logistics initiative. According to the authors, the green logistics program will usher in a new generation of sophisticated workforce.
Zhang et al. (2015) propose that the prospected green logistic initiative will redefine the existing routes and contacts. The green logistics ideology emphasizes convenience in operation. The current transportation and logistics contacts and routes will face revision in the future transportation industry to achieve satisfaction. The ideology of local sourcing will lead to a revision of the current routes that drivers use to reach consumers. The authors of the book indicate that the existing contacts, such as connection ports, will be redefined to foster convenience. The phenomenon will lead to the linking of remote areas with main transportation routes in the effort to reduce the proximity between the supplier and consumer.
Zhang et al. (2015) perceives the green logistic initiative as an opportunity to open up the remote and unreached areas. The phenomenon will result in enlightenment among the consumer as they would have the opportunity to access a wide variety of supplies. The authors argue that green logistic ideology will allow business organizations to reach new markets. Local sourcing will open up remote areas and therefore presenting business organizations with a chance to introduce their products to the new markets. The profitability level in the freight and logistics industry will rise with subsequent discoveries of new markets.
Potential New Solutions to The Research Question
All credible indicators imply that green logistics is a relevant initiative in contemporary society, and the transport and logistics industry should incorporate it into business operations. The solutions to the research question address the various interventions that would ensure the effective adoption of green logistics in the contemporary freight and logistics industry. One of the potential solutions to the research question is to create awareness regarding green logistics among the populations ( Cosimato & Troisi, 2015). Successful adoption of green logistic ideologies requires a generation of consumers who are literate on the subject. Ignorance among consumers and various stakeholders in the transport and logistics industry jeopardizes the efforts deployed in implementing the spelling of green logistics initiatives. Consumers should be aware of the quality of the packaging material used by suppliers, and their effects on the environment.
Another relevant solution is to incorporate the spellings of the green logistic ingenuity into the international standards of freight and logistic operations. Some various rules and guidelines govern performance in the transport and logistics industry. The International standards of transport and logistics dictate the quality of service offered by the industry ( Jeptepkeny, 2015). The principles of green logistics should deserve incorporation into the international standards of the cargo and logistics industry. The process entails redefining delivery standards and packaging standards to be eco-sensitive. The international fraternity should align freight and logistic services with conforming to the spellings of green logistics ingenuity. All the companies offering transport and logistics should do so within the confines of the green logistics inventiveness.
Establishment of legal policies and regulations to enforce the implementation of green logistics ingenuity. Useful legitimate spellings should apply the adoption of the initiative by the freight and logistics industry. The governing authorities should draft constitutional provisions to make it compulsory for operators in the industry to comply with the standards of green logistics inventiveness ( Kamau & Mohamed, 2015). It is the responsibility of the law to protect a country's environment from pollution. Proposals should determine the punishment for operators who defy the dictations of the green logistics initiative.
Moreover, legal procedures should control the manufacture of packaging materials. Parliaments around the world should spell out policies that will oversee packaging to ensure that it is eco-sensitive. Companies operating within the transport and logistics industry should provide local sourcing to consumers as a means of reducing carbon emission.
Another possible solution to the research question is increasing customer demand for green logistic services (Fahimnia, Bell GH, Hensher & Sarkis, 2015). Consumers within the transport and logistics industry should take it upon themselves to ask green logistics services from service providers.
Customers should pressure their service providers in the freight and logistics industry to offer local sourcing as a provision of the green logistics initiative. The consumers of logistic services should insist on sourcing their supply from domestic premises. Moreover, the buyers should also ask for the eco-sensitive methodology of packaging their orders. It is the role of the clients to ensure that the packaging methodologies used by logistic companies are degradable ( Ndumbi & Okello, 2015). Consumers should prefer disposable packages from transport and logistics companies. The responsibility of incorporating green logistic initiative should be shared equally by all the stakeholders in the industry.
Moreover, product specialization from credible companies in the industry would help to incorporate green logistic ingenuity. Product specialization is a marketing technique that organizations use in marketing their products. Product specialization involves offering unique services or selling distinctive products ( Ndumbi & Okello, 2015). Leading companies in the transport and logistics department would spearhead the incorporation of green logistics into the industry through product differentiation based on the provisions of green logistics ingenuity. Demand for eco-sensitive products could be created by showcasing the merits of green logistics initiatives through product specialization.
Another action of adopting green logistic into the transport and logistics industry is by embracing the culture of recycling resources. Recycling involves the reusing of a fund to accomplish multiple tasks. The green logistics ideology emphasis on re-use as an ideal strategy of ensuring the safety of the environment ( Zhang, Lee, Chan, Choy & Wu, 2015). Re-use focuses on minimizing the amount of solid disposal. Re-using resources in the transport and logistics industry would reduce the level of plastic destruction and eventually decreasing pollution.
Moreover, actualizing green logistics initiative is possible through engaging the various stakeholders of the freight and logistics industry in making processes. The loyalty of all stakeholders in the sector is critical in ensuring the smooth implementation of green logistics ideologies ( Zhang, Lee, Chan, Choy & Wu, 2015). Including all stake holders in the process of drafting regulations to oversee the implementation of the green logistics initiative. The inclusivity of all stakeholders in implementing the initiative boosts its acceptance in the industry.
The observance of work ethics and values should allow easy incorporation of green logistics into the procedures of the transport and logistics industry. The practice of ethics and values cultivates consciousness among the various stakeholders ( Petljak, Zulauf, Štulec, Seuring & Wagner, 2018). Moreover, the observance of green logistic principles should be incorporated as an ethical value in the logistic industry. Another possible action that could assure the incorporation of going green initiative is by revising the operation of the warehouse facility. Warehousing should adhere to higher standards that are eco-sensitive.
Moreover, the storage systems used in warehousing should deserve review to be ecofriendly. Contemporary warehouses use preservatives that are hazardous to the environment. The existing preservation mechanisms in the warehouses should be adjusted to adhere to green logistic provisions. Another possible action is the adoption of a carbon emission reporting strategy to manage the level of carbon (IV) oxide released from the supply chain ( Petljak, Zulauf, Štulec, Seuring & Wagner, 2018). For instance, DHL logistic Company has formulated carbon emission targets that lead the levels of carbon released from the supply chain. Moreover, service providers in the logistics industry should incorporate carbon offsetting procedures as part of the basic requirements for attaining operational permits. Shipment industries should possess a good detail report on carbon emitted and credible strategies of counteracting carbon through the atmosphere. Leading logistics companies should spearhead the move developing credible carbon reports. The principles of compiling a relevant carbon report should deserve bases on strategies for consignment-level carbon reporting. Moreover, the protocol of greenhouse gas and the provisions of the World Economic Forum (WEF) could deserve consideration in formulating credible carbon documentation strategy and reliable offsetting plans to keep carbon emissions at check.
Nevertheless, green logistics is achievable through the act of shipping FCL (full container load). Full Container Load seeks to minimize the number of freights involved in a supply chain. Minimizing the number of trucks reduces the level of carbon by the supply chain. Commitment to a greener supply chain would also require the avoidance of using air freight in the shipment of goods. Air carriage produces the highest levels of carbon emissions ( Schmidt, Foerstl & Schaltenbrand, 2017). The green logistic spellings do not favor the use of air passage in completing supply chains. Moreover, the manufactures of petroleum products should revise Sulphur formulas to reduce emission levels. Sulfur contents in petroleum products increase emissions because they involve complex combustion procedures. The green logistics ingenuity can is achievable through the reduction of Sulphur levels in petroleum products. The decrease in Sulphur contents in petroleum products deserves adoption as an international policy of achieving greener supply chains.
In conclusion, green logistic ingenuity entails the provision of transport and logistic services in an eco-sensitive. The green logistics initiative reduces the cost implications involved in the transport and logistics industry. Some authors argue that green logistics inventiveness will readjust the organization of suppliers in the shipment and logistics industry. Results of some researchers indicate that reducing the levels of carbon emitted results in a reduction in air pollution by the supply chain. The idea of local sourcing as spelled by green logistics ingenuity will reduce the distances covered in delivering the goods and hence minimizing the levels of carbon emitted in the shipment of cargo.
Acceptance of green logistics will present a new cohort of task force in the transportation and logistics industry. The spellings of green logistics require redefining the existing routes in order to achieve convenience in operation. Successful adoption of green logistic principles requires a cohort of consumers who are well-educated on the subject. The spellings of the green logistic ingenuity should deserve assimilation into the international standards of freight and logistic operations. Effective laws should deserve formulation to enforce the adoption of the initiative by the freight and logistics industry. The culture of re-using resources in the transport and logistic is a relevant initiative of ensuring the adoption of green logistic ideology. A carbon emission reporting strategy is a reliable intervention in adopting the doctrines of green logistics.
References
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