Green Logistics Development Decision-Making: Factor Identification and Hierarchical Framework Construction

Meng Zhang,Tongzhe Liu,Minghe Sun,Datian Bi

doi:10.1109/access.2020.3008443

Abstract

The influential factors of green logistics development have been an important research topic for academics. However, little attention has been devoted to studying the issue of the prioritization and the hierarchical structure of these factors. The purpose of this study is to identify the key factors influencing the development of green logistics, and to explore the prioritization and the hierarchical structure of the influential factors. An indicator system for influential factors of green logistics development is first developed based on the theory of triple bottom line, including sixteen indicators or factors. The comprehensive influences and the prioritization of these sixteen factors are then analyzed using the DEMATEL method and the multi-level hierarchical structure of these factors is constructed by applying the ISM method. The results indicate that government policies, public supports, laws and regulations, green education, green technology innovations, consumer green demands, quantity and quality of green logistics talents are more influential than the other factors. Social factors including laws and regulations and government policies, public supports and green education are the underlying factors affecting the development of green logistics. Economic factors are at the middle levels and environmental factors are at the surface-level of the hierarchical structure. Recommendations are finally given to governmental agencies and business firms. These findings will be beneficial to promoting the sustainable development of green logistics.

Highlights

The development of logistics has greatly promoted the rapid growth of global trade and trade globalization has continuously increased the demands for international and domestic logistics
Interpretation Structure Model (ISM) is used to construct a hierarchical structure of the influential factors
Results of the ISM analysis indicate that environmental factors are the surface layer factors, economic factors are the central layer factors and the social factors are the underlying layer factors influencing the development of green logistics

Summary

Introduction

The development of logistics has greatly promoted the rapid growth of global trade and trade globalization has continuously increased the demands for international and domestic logistics. The logistics system itself still has some weaknesses, e.g., vulnerability, personnel dependency and limited intellectualization [2]. Logistics system itself will eventually exert negative effects on the sustainable development of the global economy and the protections of the whole ecosystem. The development of the logistics industry is under intense pressure from environmental protection. The consumption of fossil fuel in freight transportation is a main source of environmental pollution [3]. With continuous environmental degradation and global warming, green and low-carbon development models have aroused widespread concerns. The development of the logistics industry turns to consider reducing environmental pollution and improving the ecology quality.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion