Resilience in the last mile: a systematic literature review of sustainable logistics in South Africa

The last mile of logistics, representing the final stage of product delivery to consumers, is critical for supply chain efficiency and sustainability. Infrastructure inadequacies, urbanisation, and environmental concerns pose challenges to this period in South Africa. This study conducts a systematic evaluation of the literature to investigate the ability of last-mile logistics in South Africa to withstand and maintain throughout time. The PRISMA method and Atlas-ti software are used for thematic analysis. The review highlights important topics such as the development of supply chain management, obstacles in last-mile distribution, the significance of technology, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure improvement, cooperative activities, and the economic and social effects. The findings emphasise the significance of incorporating resilience and sustainability into last-mile logistics in order to enhance operational efficiency, mitigate environmental consequences, and promote socio-economic advancement. The assessment highlights the necessity of joint endeavours, technical advancement, and supporting policies to tackle the distinct issues encountered by South Africa in this field. This study enhances the comprehension of sustainable logistics in South Africa and offers valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers to enhance last-mile logistics operations. Key Words:Last mile logistics, Supply chain resilience, Supply chain management, Sustainable logistics, Infrastructure development