Logistics processes allow for the movement of goods along the supply chain to the customers. Companies are using digital solutions more widely to support their logistics processes. Current studies focus mainly on the intrinsic perspective of the digital maturity of logistics processes. Rarely do previous studies consider the impact of external factors (e.g., market trends, as external drivers at the strategic level) on the digital maturity of logistics processes. In this paper, our aim is to propose a novel generic approach to measuring the level of adoption of digital technologies in logistics processes. We applied the maturity model theory to provide a generic framework for the assessment of different partners in supply chains (suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, e-tailers, logistics service providers) in a homogeneous way. We propose the five levels (Avoiding, Discovering, Adopting, Improving, Excelling) to measure the frequency of the application of the digital technologies with high intelligence in the domain of logistics processes. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between the selected market trends, which are external drivers at the strategic level, and the digital maturity of logics processes. We conducted the survey among a group of 38 companies to classify their maturity level and then to test which market trends motivate them to digitalize their processes. We applied Bayesian statistics to test the level of the relationship between the digitalization of logistics processes and four market trends, namely, the sustainability, e-commerce, sharing economy, and speed-orientation of customers. The results show that all the trends tested moderately and positively influence the digital maturity of logistics processes.

Poland is Europe’s leader in international freight transport. The majority of companies in the Polish logistics sector are small-sized enterprises with limited human and material resources, which reduces their ability to implement corporate social responsibility practices. In this paper, we explore the logistics solutions (tools and practices) implemented by companies in the logistics sector to manage their business operations through the prism of the triple bottom line (TBL). We assume that a company might achieve sustainable performance even if it focuses mainly on the implementation of logistics solutions for economic performance, as some of those tools and practices also have an impact on the environmental and social performance without being dedicated to them per se. We define sustainable logistics management maturity (SLMM), as the extent to which a company implements modern logistics solutions (tools and management practices) to improve performance with regard to the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability. Results from focus group research are presented, where experts have assessed the impact of tools and management practices in logistics management on the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability. Then, we define the overall sustainable logistics management maturity indicator (OSLMI) to allow comparison and benchmarking between companies in the logistics sector. The maturity theory is applied, as it is a suitable tool for the positioning and benchmarking of companies. Through the conceptual model, we link the capabilities of a company (expressed by the application of the logistics solutions) with factors related to the company’s characteristics (size, business profile, source of capital), and the ability of a company to achieve a certain maturity level. The maturity concept is used here to measure the effectiveness of the performance of companies. We use a database of 190 Polish companies from the logistics industry to verify three research hypotheses. Bayesian statistics is applied to verify the existence of a relation between the level of SLMM and a company’s characteristics (size, scope of economic activities, and structure of capital). Statistical analysis proves that the size of a company and the type of economic activities it engages in affect its ability to achieve a higher degree of maturity.

Through the remanufacturing process, obsolete, broken, and end-of-use products are brought to “a like new condition”. Remanufacturing is an example of implementation of circular economy at a company level. There are few studies on responsible resource management in a remanufacturing process. This paper contributes to this research gap by presenting a two-layered framework, which uses the maturity model theory, and it allows for a quick scan of a remanufacturing process. First, in the descriptive layer of the framework we define five maturity levels with regard to responsible resource management. We analyze water, emissions, energy, and materials, and describe relevant responsible resource management practices, which we link with maturity levels. We also design the relevant self-assessment tool which utilizes the existing expert’s knowledge of a company. Then, in the prescriptive layer of the framework, we propose a method for the identification of the maturity gap, and areas for improvement. We develop a procedure for prioritizing the measures, which shall be implemented in order to achieve a higher level of responsible resource management in a remanufacturing company. The framework is tested in small and medium-sized enterprises from the automotive industry.

This article presents research implications related to the analysis of current trends occurring in the industry and resulting from the analysis of trends in literature. A new trend is noticeable in the range of computer simulations using digital twin technologies in the optimization of intralogistics processes, the implementation of which is based on Lean philosophy. This article shows the connection of Industry 4.0 with Lean in the context of Digital Twin (simulation) in the area of intralogistics. A three-step methodology of literature research was developed and described. In accordance with the adopted research methodology, research questions were indicated and a detailed list of selection criteria was developed. The research methods included brainstorming and statistical analysis. The research results are presented in three sections: the results of the trend analysis, the results of the quantitative literature research, and the results of the complementary research. The research results confirm the existence of a new trend and form the basis for formulating objectives for further research.

Background: Previous research on sustainability has shown that several growing problems—environmental ones related to the uneven implementation of climate protection requirements worldwide; economic ones related to the instability of markets; and finally social ones perceived through the uneven distribution of wealth in different parts of the world (globally) and regions related to political and economic instability—particularly affect family firms because of their need for intergenerational continuity. Methods: The aim of our study is to enrich research by defining the factors that determine the maturity level of family firms in terms of sustainability. Given the scarcity of a general sustainability maturity model for family firms, we propose a model that allows for the comprehensive assessment of a family firm’s sustainability maturity. Results: This study examined the sustainability maturity of family firms and identified its determinants in this sector. The results show that family firms often reach the first level of sustainability maturity, but the highest level remains unattainable for them. The determining factor for a high level of sustainability maturity is the number of employees, while the main inhibiting factor is market experience. The overall conclusion leads us to believe that a high level of sustainability maturity can be achieved by a family-owned company with a manufacturing profile, a large payroll, and 30 years of operational experience. Conclusions: The overall findings lead us to conclude that a high level of sustainability maturity can be achieved by a family-owned company with a manufacturing profile, a large payroll, and 30 years of operational experience in the global market, where long-term decisions are made by experts.

The objective of the paper is to present results of research carried out on the development of a logistics maturity model for enterprises. The proposed approach allows for companies to self-assess their level of advancement of logistics processes implementation with the use of logistics maturity model. Considering the results of the assessment, directions for further actions may be determined. The proposed model comprises three dimensions: SCOR model, phases of the industry logistics and logistics tools, what makes it original approach in the field of logistics maturity research. Moreover, the model described in the paper is dedicated for service industry, which is in research niche. The current state of research on maturity models is reviewed to serve as a basis for the model developed in the paper. There are inlcuded theoretical assumptions of the proposed logistics maturity model and presentation of the model’s concept, considering directions for future research on the specified issue.