Synchronizing material flows in logistics systems: conceptual framework and research opportunities

Logistics systems performance has been challenged by demanding order fulfilment and delivery requirements, as well as diffuse shortages of resources. These challenges lead to frequent changes in the plans for logistics activities within distribution networks, resulting in material flows interruptions, buffers and waiting times for resources. The synchronization of material flows emerges as a response to these challenges. By leveraging integrated decision-making approaches, synchronization promotes the flow-oriented coordination of multiple activities, reducing buffers and waiting times between them, thus enhancing the performance of distribution networks. Adopting a flow perspective that transcends activity-specific or node-specific issues, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of the synchronization opportunities along distribution networks and the elements to act upon them, offering a structured foundation and multiple research directions for future studies. Moreover, it supports practitioners in identifying synchronization opportunities and improving material flow continuity along their distribution networks. Starting from a fragmented body of works, a systematic literature review enables the identification and consolidation of the following elements in a conceptual framework: the material flows presenting opportunities for synchronization, the decisions and the decision-making approaches to tackle such opportunities, and their effect on performance. Supporting digital solutions within the Logistics 4.0 paradigm complete the framework.