Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in consumer behaviour, which has had a cascading effect on consumer-centric logistics. As a result, this study conducts a focused literature review of pandemic-related consumer behaviour research to address two research questions: 1) what are the pandemic's direct effects on consumer consumption behaviour, with an emphasis on changes in their basic and psychological needs? and 2) what are the consequences of behavioural changes on consumer-centric logistics?Design/methodology/approach: The scientific procedure and rationales for systematic literature review (SPAR-4-SLR) protocol and the theory, context, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) framework were adopted as a guideline to map, refine, evaluate and synthesise the literature. A total of 53 research articles were identified for further analysis.Findings: Using Maslow's hierarchy of human needs as a theoretical guide, this review synthesises the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on consumer behaviour into four categories: abnormal buying behaviour, changes in consumer preferences, digitalisation of shopping behaviour and technology-related behaviour. Furthermore, four consumer-centric logistics propositions are proposed based on the four aspects of consumer behavioural changes.Originality/value: This study outlines the significant behavioural changes in consumers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and how these changes impact consumer-centric logistics, with implications for managing consumers' involvement in logistics and pointing out future research directions.

The rapid development of modern logistics and e-commerce highlights the importance of exploring various modes of transportation in the last-mile delivery (LMD) process. However, no comprehensive studies exist in the literature exploring all modes of LMD transportation, the changes in these transportation modes, and the commonalities between them. In this study, we address this gap by conducting a systematic review of 150 academic journal articles utilizing a combination of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) content analysis and text mining analysis. Nine primary transportation methods (parcel lockers, autonomous drones, trucks, bicycles, crowd logistics, electric vehicles, tricycles, autonomous robots, and autonomous vehicles) are identified in this research. Additionally, we provide an analysis of the historical changes in these transportation modes in LMD. Using a bottom-up induction method, we identify the three major clusters of scholarly focus in the LMD literature: emphasis on value co-creation between consumers and logistics providers, practical delivery performance (path optimization or algorithms), and environmental friendliness. Further, we analyze the main themes under each cluster, leading to the identification of opportunities, challenges, and future research agendas. Our findings have implications for scholars, policymakers, and other stakeholders involved in LMD transportation modes.

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate logistics operators’ acceptance of robots by adopting an integrated perspective of trust and technology acceptance.Design/methodology/approach: A survey instrument was developed for data collection, targeting employees from Vietnam’s manufacturing or logistics sectors. A total of 401 valid responses were collected; the data were analysed using structural equation modelling.Findings: Dispositional and situational trust positively influenced perceived usefulness and ease of use. Furthermore, dispositional and situational trust, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness collectively influenced trust in logistics robots. In addition, we found that trust in logistics robots positively affected operators’ acceptance intentions. Thus, the integrated perspectives of trust and technology acceptance were supported.Research limitations/implications: By focusing on the interaction between operators and logistics robots, this paper’s findings extend the technology acceptance model (TAM) and enrich the theory of trust.Practical implications: The study has significant implications for factories integrating logistics robots into production processes by elucidating the relationship between operators and logistics robots.Originality/value: Previous research has repeatedly identified trust considerations as a critical factor influencing individuals’ automated technology usage. However, the micro-level trust formation process has received limited attention. This study explains the relationship between perspectives on trust and technology acceptance.