The use of ICT in road freight transport for CO₂reduction – an exploratory study of UK’s grocery retail industry

Abstract

For AuthorsIf you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation.*Related content and download information correct at time of download. Design/methodology/approach -This research adopts a multiple case study approach with three leading UK grocery retailers as exemplars of fast-moving consumer goods retailers, conducted using multiple data collection techniques including interviews, system demonstrations, onsite observations and the use of archive information. Findings -ICT solutions have a direct positive impact on CO 2 emissions reduction but opportunities to further reduce CO 2 emissions are perceived as lying beyond retailers' own distribution networks. These opportunities are not fully utilised due to the complexities of collaborative ICT provisions and retailers' reluctance to share information with competitors.Research limitations/implications -A limitation of the study is that it is exploratory and only three cases were examined. Even though these three retailers represent over 60 per cent of the UK grocery retail sector, other retailers may deploy significantly different ICT applications. Practical implications -The research provides an overarching insight for businesses on how to leverage the existing and emerging information technologies for environmental and economic benefits. Originality/value -While sustainability issues have received increasing attention recently, the role of ICT in freight transport for CO 2 emissions reduction has not been investigated in depth and its impact is largely unknown. This research advances understanding about how ICT contributes CO 2 emissions reductions and provides a framework for further investigation.

The use of freight apps in road freight transport for CO2 reduction

“…Robert K. [48] shows the case study takes a typical case as the material to solve the current Bhow^and Bwhyr esearch questions through specific analysis and anatomy and these research methods do not require a strictly controlled research approach. A common criticism associated with case study research is the potential lack of objectivity, considering that researchers may lose their independence through heavy involvement with the case [19]. To improve the validity of case studies, Barratt and Choi et al [47] used multiple data collection techniques, i.e., interviews, system demonstrations, site observation and archival documents.…”

“…Bask and Spens et al [18] emphasized the use of a smart transportation management system, which includes smart freight systems (such as radio-frequency identification (RFID), general packet radio service and web technology), smart vehicle systems (including the in-truck good identification systems and vehicle systems) and smart infrastructure. One important work by Wang and Sanchez et al [19] provided good summaries of ICT-related applications in road transport through a synthesis of the literature. A hierarchical approach was used to offer the deployment at four levels as shown in Table 3.…”

“…The linked life cycle approach modified the life cycle of ICT-based production in the ways for optimizing the design, production, use, and end-oflife of other products. Wang et al [19] empirically investigated the direct positive impact on CO 2 emissions reduction for ICT solutions by adopting a multiple case study with three leading UK grocery retailers. The findings highlight opportunities to further reduce CO 2 emissions, which are perceived as lying beyond retailers' own distribution networks for the underutilization of shared information with competitors, which reflects the necessity of the integration of the same type of information.…”

“…Such systems integrate shippers (consignors), carriers and customers (consignees) and can be used for horizontal transport collaboration between shippers or between carriers Network systems usually involve multiple participants and communications are simultaneously conducted between two or more companies. Typical applications include Source: [19] of influencing the ICT, which considers several scenarios in the mobile environment. An experimental co-operative pick-up system to match transport demand and supply was conducted [44], and the result did not imply that the pick-up system should be viewed negatively in the future.…”

An examination of drivers and barriers to reducing carbon emissions in China’s manufacturing sector

“…In the developed and/or industrialized countries, stringent CEPs regulations and their enforcement mechanisms coupled with consumers' awareness drives business operations to implement CEPs such as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) designed to enforce the collection, treatment, recycling and/or safe disposal after the End-of-Life (EoL) of products, amongst other similar regulations Wang et al, 2015).…”