A Systematic Review of Sustainability Key Performance Indicators in Warehousing

The warehousing sector, a crucial element of global supply chains, faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices due to its significant environmental footprint. This study systematically reviews sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in warehousing, utilizing the PRISMA framework. Analyzing 39 journal articles (2014-2024) through thematic and bibliometric analysis, the review identifies key themes, trends, and research gaps. Sustainability KPIs are categorized into environmental, social, and economic dimensions, while four primary thematic areas of their application are identified: warehousing and supply chain sustainability, modeling approaches, performance management and decision-support tools, and warehouse automation. The analysis reveals growing research interest, with a notable increase in recent publications. Key insights highlight the need for advanced modeling techniques, improved decision-support systems, and enhanced integration of sustainability KPIs within warehouse management systems. The study also identifies underrepresentation of social sustainability and a lack of real-world case study validation. Future research should focus on comprehensive frameworks, innovative technologies, and practical implementations to drive sustainable warehousing operations. This review provides valuable guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to enhance warehousing sustainability. By offering a structured analysis of existing literature and identifying pressing research needs, this study contributes to developing more effective and holistic sustainability strategies in warehouse management.