Category «Research»

Behavior-Based Pricing Meets Promised Delivery Times: What Firms and Policymakers Should Know

The rapid growth of information technology enables firms to track consumer purchase histories. This allows them to distinguish between new and returning customers, and to adjust both prices and delivery promises accordingly. A recent study develops a two-period duopoly game-theoretic model to examine how these strategies (behavior-based pricing (BBP) and behavior-based promised delivery times (BBT)) …

Experimentation, Learning, and Organizational Change in City Logistics: Lessons from Bergen and Groningen

Cities increasingly use experimentation to tackle complex sustainability challenges. Experimentation allows actors to test new interventions in real-world contexts, creating opportunities for learning-by-doing. Yet, whether this learning translates into actual organizational change remains unclear. Recent research examines this relationship through four city logistics experiments in Bergen (Norway) and Groningen (Netherlands), offering insights into the dynamics …

Parcel lockers only work if people use them: lessons from a cross-country study

Technological innovations such as parcel lockers are often presented as a solution to the negative impacts of last-mile delivery on people, the planet, and business performance. Yet these benefits will only materialize if consumers actually choose to use them. A recent study applied the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to better …

Machine learning for time slot management in grocery delivery

The rise of online shopping has changed consumer expectations, with more people choosing to have products delivered directly to their homes. Grocery home delivery is a growing segment within this trend, but it presents specific logistical challenges. Groceries typically have low profit margins, while last-mile delivery is expensive. Orders are often large, heavy, and perishable, …

Optimizing Courier Efficiency in Last-Mile Delivery: Lessons from Real-World Data

The last mile is one of the most critical and costly segments in logistics. It directly shapes both operational efficiency and profitability. Yet, managing courier workflows remains complex due to varying work patterns, route deviations, traffic congestion, and other external factors. A recent study based on real-world data from a Spanish logistics company sheds light …

How Food Delivery Disrupts Urban Mobility: Insights from a Decade of Research

Food delivery services have more than tripled in size since 2017, accelerated mainly by the COVID-19 pandemic. This explosive growth has not only reshaped consumption habits but also had profound implications for urban mobility and last-mile logistics. A systematic literature review conducted between 2012 and 2022 offers the first comprehensive overview of how food delivery …

Success factors for scaling urban circular businesses in the food sector

As cities worldwide strive to transition to more sustainable food systems, small and niche circular food businesses are increasingly recognized as innovation leaders. However, scaling such initiatives beyond the experimental phase remains a significant challenge. A recent study based on eleven circular food ventures in Toronto, Canada, provides critical insights into what helps or hinders these …

Driverless Multipurpose Vehicles: A New Frontier in Urban Logistics Efficiency

As urban freight volumes increase and sustainability pressures intensify, cities are exploring innovative solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of transportation. One emerging concept is the Driverless Multipurpose Vehicle (DMV)—an autonomous, electric heavy-duty vehicle capable of switching between transport applications or combining them during a single operation. But how do these modular vehicles compare to …

Towards Sustainable Urban Freight in B2B: Insights from Berlin-Adlershof

As cities grow and freight volumes rise, urban logistics faces mounting challenges, from traffic congestion and emissions to inefficient deliveries. A recent study in Berlin-Adlershof, a technology-driven urban development area, explores how data-driven insights into corporate shipping and receiving behavior can support more sustainable freight transport. Why Focus on Business Parcels? Most research in urban …

AI and Co-Creation: Building Smarter Urban Logistics Alternatives

Urban areas are growing rapidly, and with them come familiar challenges: air and noise pollution, traffic congestion, parking shortages, and safety concerns. In this context, freight transport has become increasingly fragmented due to e-commerce, and as a result, it lacks coordination across supply chains. To address these challenges, a new study presents a co-creation-based decision …