What criteria can be established for the development of a sustainable supply chain?

A case study of outsourcing in green logistics processes

Absztrakt

The utilization of renewable energy sources and the intensification of efforts aimed at reducing environmental burdens constitute fundamental prerequisites for the preservation of the Earth and its ecosystems. These considerations have become increasingly embedded at both societal and economic levels, leading to growing expectations within the business sector for the adoption of so-called “green technologies”, particularly in the context of logistics operations. Such technologies, process reconfigurations, and methodological innovations often require substantial capital investment, which not all firms are capable of undertaking. For these companies, outsourcing represents a viable strategic alternative. This study focuses on the outsourcing of green logistics activities. Its primary objective is to develop a comprehensive set of criteria that facilitates the selection of logistics service providers offering environmentally sustainable logistics solutions. The main contribution of the paper is a weighted scoring model that enables the objective comparison and ranking of green logistics service providers based on a predefined set of environmental and operational performance criteria. This approach support decision-makers in navigating complex outsourcing scenarios by enhancing transparency and rationality in the evaluation process.