Enabling competitiveness in home-delivery through sustainable packaging logistics

Purpose The purpose of this research is to examine the role of logistics and packaging in home-delivery of food and groceries and identify opportunities for sustainable packaging logistics innovations that can enable competitive advantages for retail actors. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on a case study of a novel home-delivery concept for food and groceries, together with a structured literature review on recent literature. Building on the key findings from the case study and the literature review, the Resource-Advantage theory is used for knowledge development and formulation of research propositions. Findings This study identified a clear gap in the literature on the integration of logistics and packaging in home-deliveries while the case study revealed potentials of packaging logistics in home-delivery settings. For retail actors, it is argued that packaging logistics can enhance competitiveness of e-commerce by increasing efficiency and effectiveness and reducing environmental impact. Research limitations/implications The concept of packaging logistics should be investigated and tested to create opportunities for innovation and sustainability in home-deliveries, and thus aligning with the expectations and external pressures from policymakers and market to operate on sustainable grounds. Four propositions for the integration of packaging into logistics challenges to drive innovation and gain sustainability in home-deliveries are formulated. Originality/value Existing research on sustainable packaging logistics innovations in home-delivery operations is limited. The propositions provide areas for theory advancements and practical improvements of efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability in the context of retail and distribution.