Towards sustainable logistics: Investigating the role of digitalisation in improving eco-efficiency

IF 4.2 3区工程技术 Q1 ECONOMICS

Research in Transportation Economics Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-08 DOI:10.1016/j.retrec.2025.101665

Xiao Fang Pi , Chor Foon Tang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study examines how digitalisation and energy structure affect logistics eco-efficiency (LECO), a critical metric for balancing economic and environmental goals in the logistics sector. Using balanced panel data from 36 OECD countries (2008–2020), the analysis employs the Super-SBM-Undesirable model, Tobit regression, and the Method of Moments Quantile regression. Results reveal that digitalisation and renewable energy significantly enhance LECO, while non-renewable energy has a detrimental effect. Notably, digitalisation plays an important moderating role in the energy–LECO relationship. At moderate digital maturity, the benefits of renewable energy are amplified; however, higher digital intensity triggers a rebound effect, diminishing or even reversing these gains. Conversely, digital advancement mitigates the negative impact of non-renewable energy. These insights suggest that policymakers prioritise investments in digital infrastructure and sector-specific applications to enhance logistics eco-efficiency. More importantly, they should align digital transformation strategies with environmental goals to fully leverage the moderating role of digitalisation in energy–LECO interactions.

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迈向可持续物流：研究数字化在提高生态效率方面的作用

本研究探讨了数字化和能源结构如何影响物流生态效率（LECO），这是平衡物流业经济和环境目标的关键指标。利用来自36个经合组织国家（2008-2020年）的平衡面板数据，该分析采用了Super-SBM-Undesirable模型、Tobit回归和矩量分位数回归方法。结果表明，数字化和可再生能源显著提高了LECO，而非可再生能源对LECO有不利影响。值得注意的是，数字化在能源- leco关系中起着重要的调节作用。在数字化适度成熟时，可再生能源的好处被放大；然而，更高的数字强度会引发反弹效应，减少甚至逆转这些增益。相反，数字进步减轻了不可再生能源的负面影响。这些见解表明，政策制定者应优先考虑对数字基础设施和特定行业应用的投资，以提高物流生态效率。更重要的是，他们应该将数字化转型战略与环境目标结合起来，充分利用数字化在能源- leco互动中的调节作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Research in Transportation Economics Multiple-

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

2.60%

发文量

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Research in Transportation Economics is a journal devoted to the dissemination of high quality economics research in the field of transportation. The content covers a wide variety of topics relating to the economics aspects of transportation, government regulatory policies regarding transportation, and issues of concern to transportation industry planners. The unifying theme throughout the papers is the application of economic theory and/or applied economic methodologies to transportation questions.