Sustainability Impact of Digital Transformation in E-Commerce Logistics

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the digital transformation in logistics and its effects on sustainability. It provides answers to questions about what digital transformation and related technologies are in logistics, how the transformation altered the operational processes, and which merits have been realized as a result of digital transformation. As part of the fourth industrial revolution, most businesses are digitally transformed. Since commerce is the primary focus of the digital revolution, phrases like "Commerce of the Future" and "E-Commerce" are used interchangeably with this idea. Methodology: Qualitative research methods and semi-structured interviews were used to elicit information from participants in six (6) e-commerce logistics companies in Nigeria. Seventeen (17) pertinent criteria are identified, of which ten relate to the economic feature of sustainability, two relate to the environmental feature, and the remaining five relate to the social feature. Findings: From the sustainability dimensions, the economic impacts of digitization outweighed the other two dimensions, even though the evaluation of some criteria by the participants was ambiguous. Digitization of logistics has great merits regarding cost, delivery time, delay, inventory, dependability, and flexibility. Aside from this, it was found that the social effects of digitization, such as better health outcomes and decreasing accident occurrences, have little bearing on society. While the digitalization of logistics may alleviate safety and health issues, it was less accepted because it was perceived as a threat to labor involvement. Originality/value: The study demonstrated the significant sustainability impact of digital transformation in logistics as it gives birth to e-commerce logistics operations.