Digital Transformation of Postal Logistics Supply Chains toward Sustainability and Efficient Management from a Web 4.0 Perspective

Svetlana Dabic-Miletic

doi:10.31181/msa31202637

Authors

Svetlana Dabic-Miletic Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 305, Belgrade, 11010, Serbia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9316-0817

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31181/msa31202637

Keywords:

Web 4.0 Technologies, Management Science, Digitization, Supply Chain Management, Postal Logistics

Abstract

The development of sustainable supply chains in postal logistics has become a critical challenge and strategic priority in the context of accelerated digital transformation. The adoption of Web 4.0 technologies, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, and advanced analytics, enables the transition from traditional logistics models to intelligent, adaptive, and data-driven processes. They simultaneously support management efficiency, environmental responsibility, and social sustainability. These technologies facilitate predictive planning, route optimization, enhanced transparency, and improved resource management. They result in reduced operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as increased reliability and quality of postal services. The integration of Web 4.0 technologies with sustainable operational practices, such as the use of electric vehicles, smart warehousing systems, and environmentally friendly packaging solutions, generates a synergistic effect that improves overall system efficiency, reduces the environmental footprint, and enhances customer experience. This paper provides a systematic overview of Web 4.0 technologies and sustainability-oriented practices in postal logistics, identifies their key benefits and implementation challenges. The research also demonstrates how their combined application supports long-term resilience, competitive advantage, and the transformation of postal logistics supply chains toward intelligent and sustainable systems.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bal ~, M., Vacul k, J., & Corejova, T. (2024). Evaluation of the impact of the internet of things on postal service efficiency in Slovakia. Economies, 12(10), 271. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies12100271.

Dabi -Mileti , S. (2019). Analiza nekih specifi nosti upravljanja rizicima u lancima snabdevanja u meunarodnom poatanskom saobra aju. Zbornik radova sa XXXVII Simpozijuma o novim tehnologijama u meunarodnom poatanskom saobra ajuPosTel, pp. 21-30, Beograd, Srbija.

Hyder, J., & Hassini, E. (2025). Optimizing warehouse space allocation to maximize profit in the postal industry. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 195, 103924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2024.103924.

Vorona, A., Istomin, L., & Kalmykov, S. (2022). Peculiarities of international postal items logistics. Transportation Research Procedia, 63, 1872-1880. https://doi.org/1016/j.trpro.2022.06.207.

Hasan, H., AlHadhrami, E., AlDhaheri, A., Salah, K., & Jayaraman, R. (2019). Smart contract-based approach for efficient shipment management. Computers & industrial Engineering, 136, 149-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2019.07.022.

Tsiulin, S., Reinau, K. H., Hilmola, O. P., Goryaev, N., & Karam, A. (2020). Blockchain-based applications in shipping and port management: a literature review towards defining key conceptual frameworks. Review of International Business and Strategy, 30(2), 201-224. https://doi.org/10.1108/RIBS-04-2019-0051.

Guo, L., Chen, J., Li, S., Li, Y., & Lu, J. (2022). A blockchain and IoT-based lightweight framework for enabling information transparency in supply chain finance. Digital Communications and Networks, 8(4), 576-587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcan.2022.03.020.

Yang, Y. C., & Hsieh, Y. H. (2024). The critical success factors of smart port digitalization development in the post-COVID-19 era. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 17, 101231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2024.101231.

Iwan, S., N rnberg, M., JedliDski, M., & Kijewska, K. (2021). Efficiency of light electric vehicles in last mile deliveriesSzczecin case study. Sustainable Cities and Society, 74, 103167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2021.103167.

Srinivas, S. S., & Marathe, R. R. (2021). Moving towards mobile warehouse: Last-mile logistics during COVID-19 and beyond. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 10, 100339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2021.100339.

B y k zkan, G., & G er, F. (2018). Digital Supply Chain: Literature review and a proposed framework for future research. Computers in Industry, 97, 157-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2018.02.010.

Vakulenko, Y., Hellstr m, D., & Hjort, K. (2018). What's in the parcel locker? Exploring customer value in e-commerce last mile delivery. Journal of Business Research, 88, 421-427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.11.033.

Boysen, N., De Koster, R., & Weidinger, F. (2019). Warehousing in the e-commerce era: A survey. European Journal of Operational Research, 277(2), 396-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2018.08.023.

Kumar, A., & Sunita. (2025). E-Waste and the Telecommunication Industry: A 15-Year Bibliometric Mapping of Research Progress. Applied Research Advances, 1(1), 28-49. https://doi.org/10.65069/ara1120251.

Samambet, M., & Khouangvichit, C. (2025). Outsmarting the hurdles to digitalizing the postal sector: The case of deutsche post, poste italiane, and royal mail. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 10(3), e05355. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2025.v1013.5355.

Song, M., Ma, X., Zhao, X., & Zhang, L. (2022). How to enhance supply chain resilience: a logistics approach. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 33(4), 1408-1436. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-04-2021-0211.

Caliskan, A., Eryilmaz, S., & Ozturkoglu, Y. (2025). Investigating the effects of barriers and challenges on Logistics 4.0 in the era of evolving digital technology. Journal of Modelling in Management, 20(3), 949-973. https://doi.org/10.1108/JM2-01-2024-0026.

Sitinjak, C., Simic, V., & Simanullang, W. F. (2025). Promoting the Adoption Dynamics of Autonomous and Shared Autonomous Vehicles: A Scientific Mixed-Methods Approach. International Scientific Spectrum, 1(1), 1-29.

Farag, M. I. H. (2025). Sustainability as a Management Strategy: Integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance Practices into Business Administration. Management Science Advances, 3(1), 20-44. https://doi.org/10.31181/msa31202630.

Sarkar, P., Gunasekaran, A., & Patil, H. K. (2025). Survivability of supply chains in the era of Industry 4.0. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 26(1), 225-246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-024-00428-6.