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Lean, Green and Clean? Sustainability Reporting in the Logistics Sector

Author

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  • Wim Lambrechts

    (Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management, Open University of the Netherlands, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands)

  • Semen Son-Turan

    (Department of Business Administration, MEF University, 34396 Sariyer, Istanbul, Turkey)

  • Lucinda Reis

    (Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management, Open University of the Netherlands, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands)

  • Janjaap Semeijn

    (Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management, Open University of the Netherlands, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Transport and logistics activities contribute heavily to global sustainability problems, yet the implementation of corporate social responsibility and sustainability reporting in the sector lags behind. This paper aims to analyze sustainability reporting in the logistics sector, with focus on environmental, social and economic indicators. An extensive operationalization of sustainability indicators is used to examine and analyze the sustainability reports of 52 organizations in the logistics sector worldwide. Results show that the sector does not agree on the materiality of sustainability indicators. Furthermore, sustainability reporting seems to be incompatible with daily operations, leading to obscurity in reports. This contrast, between the necessary existence of organizations in the logistics sector and their undesirable environmental and social effects, calls for future research into how organizations are coping with this paradox. A viable way forward is needed in order to ensure materiality in the sectors’ efforts toward sustainability reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Wim Lambrechts & Semen Son-Turan & Lucinda Reis & Janjaap Semeijn, 2019. "Lean, Green and Clean? Sustainability Reporting in the Logistics Sector," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:3:y:2019:i:1:p:3-:d:195982
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    2. Luis Fonseca & Filipe Carvalho & Gilberto Santos, 2023. "Strategic CSR: Framework for Sustainability through Management Systems Standards—Implementing and Disclosing Sustainable Development Goals and Results," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Jeng-Bang Wang & Guan-Hua Wang & Chung-Ya Ou, 2023. "The Key Factors for Sustainability Reporting Adoption in the Semiconductor Industry Using the Hybrid FRST-PSO Technique and Fuzzy DEMATEL Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Tumo Paulus Kele & Mokheseng Makhetha, 2022. "Evaluation of the Effectiveness of and the Extent to Which Large and Medium Logistics Organisations Report on Social Sustainability—The Case of South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-26, November.

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