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Sustainability
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Digital Transformation in the Transport Sector: A Sustainable Approach
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Digital Transformation in the Transport Sector: A Sustainable Approach

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Transportation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 11615

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Edvard Tijan

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: maritime transport; logistics; ICT; blockchain; port community systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Andreja Pucihar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Maribor, Kranj, Slovenia
Interests: IS innovation; digital transformation; e-business models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marija Jović

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics, Bremen, Germany
Interests: digital transformation; transport; logistics; disruptive technologies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The main goal of this Special Issue is to contribute to the research of digital transformation in the transport sector, from a sustainable point of view. Stakeholders in the transport sector operate in a very unstable and demanding environment due to the growing demands of costumers, complex changes in regulatory frameworks, technological progress, etc. Accordingly, stakeholders need to develop appropriate business strategies to achieve and maintain a competitive position in the market and to operate sustainably. Traditional methods of operation are no longer sufficient, and in addition to striving for profit, an increased awareness of the sustainable aspects of transport business (environmental and social) is present.

Achieving sustainable business is one of the main reasons for digital transformation in many industries, including the transport sector. Digital transformation refers to the use of new digital technologies (such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, Internet of Things) for the purpose of improving business sustainability, for example, by reducing costs and reducing harmful emissions or relieving employees. In addition, digital transformation offers the opportunities to develop new business models.

This Special Issue will examine the link between digital transformation and sustainability in the transport sector and will focus on the rise in new digital trends and the importance of digital transformation to support more sustainable operations in the transport sector.

The motivation for this Special issue stems from the lack of existing research focused on digital transformation and sustainability in the transport sector. Authors are invited to submit theoretical or empirical papers dealing with this topic. All types of articles—literature-based, empirical research, case studies containing methodologies, frameworks, and best practices for embarking on the digital transformation process in the transport sector—are very welcome.

Submissions should focus on the following topics:

  • Digital transformation of the transport sector;
  • Digital transformation of road transport;
  • Digital transformation of rail transport;
  • Digital transformation of shipping;
  • Digital transformation of seaports;
  • Direct and indirect effects of digital transformation in transport;
  • Disruptive digital technologies in transport (blockchain, artificial intelligence, cloud, big data, Internet of Things, mobile connectivity and analytics, augmented and virtual reality, etc.);
  • Security issues of digital transformation in transport;
  • Digital strategies and sustainable business models in transport;
  • Analysis, design, evaluation, launch, growth, and management of sustainable business models enabled by digital transformation;
  • Business value of digital transformation for sustainable business models.

Prof. Dr. Edvard Tijan
Prof. Dr. Andreja Pucihar
Dr. Marija Jović
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • digital transformation
  • transport sector
  • sustainability
  • new business models
  • digital transformation strategies

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 4131 KiB  
Article
Implementation and Use of Digital, Green and Sustainable Technologies in Internal and External Transport of Manufacturing Companies
by Miljenko Mustapić, Maja Trstenjak, Petar Gregurić and Tihomir Opetuk
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9557; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129557 - 14 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1753
Abstract
The concept of Industry 5.0 provides a human-centered, sustainable, and resilient manufacturing system with a high emphasis on green technologies. This paper will examine the current use and perception of the green and digital technologies in the internal and external transport systems of [...] Read more.
The concept of Industry 5.0 provides a human-centered, sustainable, and resilient manufacturing system with a high emphasis on green technologies. This paper will examine the current use and perception of the green and digital technologies in the internal and external transport systems of Croatian manufacturing companies, relying on the continuous work of the authors in the field of local manufacturing industry development and digitalization. On a sample of 112 companies, statistical analysis of the results has shown that the greatest challenge in the digital technologies implementation is the unavailability of the technology on the market and employee resistance to change. The companies perceive benefits of renewable resource usage in internal transport in the rise in environmental awareness and increased flexibility, while the productivity increase and human safety improvement are the crucial reasons for the digitalization of internal transport in Croatian manufacturing companies. In external transport, the use of renewable energy sources is very rare, due to high price and low endurance of the vehicles, but the main reasons for its future possible implementation are environmental awareness, profitability, and sustainability. The majority of the companies in Croatia are still not familiar with Industry 4.0 or 5.0 concept but have shown a high interest for digital and green technology implementation to enable sustainable future development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Transformation in the Transport Sector: A Sustainable Approach)
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18 pages, 576 KiB  
Article
Factors of Digital Transformation in the Maritime Transport Sector
by Marija Jović, Edvard Tijan, Doroteja Vidmar and Andreja Pucihar
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9776; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159776 - 08 Aug 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3995
Abstract
This paper aims to present the model of factors which influence the digital transformation in maritime transport sector. The preliminary model is based on a literature review and interviews conducted to identify the relevant factors influencing the digital transformation of stakeholders operating in [...] Read more.
This paper aims to present the model of factors which influence the digital transformation in maritime transport sector. The preliminary model is based on a literature review and interviews conducted to identify the relevant factors influencing the digital transformation of stakeholders operating in the maritime transport sector. In order to test the model, the survey was conducted on the sample of Croatian administrative (port authorities, ministry, harbormaster’s offices, etc.) and commercial stakeholders (freight forwarders, agents, terminal operators, etc.) operating in maritime transport sector. The collected data was analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The research has shown that organizational, technological, and environmental (TOE) factors affect the digitalization of the organizations in the maritime transport sector. As a result of digitalization, changes in business models are visible: organizations in maritime transport sector generate additional revenue from new sources, provide new services, and introduce new sales channels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Transformation in the Transport Sector: A Sustainable Approach)
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24 pages, 1639 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Smart Numbering of Modular Cargo Containers
by Saša Aksentijević, Edvard Tijan, Nexhat Kapidani and Dražen Žgaljić
Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8548; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148548 - 13 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2101
Abstract
In this paper, the authors identify the existence of container imbalance that occurs in different types of ports, depending on the type of inbound and outbound cargo they serve. The authors further analyze international trade realities and maritime companies’ requirements and identified inefficiencies. [...] Read more.
In this paper, the authors identify the existence of container imbalance that occurs in different types of ports, depending on the type of inbound and outbound cargo they serve. The authors further analyze international trade realities and maritime companies’ requirements and identified inefficiencies. A comprehensive review of the relevant container regulations and identification standards is performed. Based on their findings, a paradigm change is proposed in the form of a modular container solution that uses disruptive digital technologies to ensure dynamic container identification (numbering) that can be exploited to overcome such inefficiencies. The technical requirements for coupling and decoupling operations are identified, along with detailed analysis of the requirements for embedded electronic components. Considering the strict container data exchange rules, the required changes in global container tracking systems are identified and explained. Coupling, decoupling, and serial number assignment procedures are proposed along with analysis of the measured lead times. Modularization and dynamic smart numbering are identified as viable disruptive technologies to address the global container imbalance. The authors contribute to the existing research on maritime transport sustainability by proposing a modular container solution, exploiting disruptive digital technologies, and clearly defining the prerequisites for the global introduction of the solution as a part of the digital transformation portfolio of involved stakeholders managing global container movements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Transformation in the Transport Sector: A Sustainable Approach)
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14 pages, 837 KiB  
Article
Digital Information Services Needed for a Sustainable Inland Waterway Transportation Business
by Patrick Specht, Jan-Niklas Bamler, Marija Jović and Nils Meyer-Larsen
Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6392; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116392 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2130
Abstract
Inland waterway transportation (IWT) is highly efficient in terms of greenhouse gas emissions but lacks economic competitiveness when compared to other modes of transport. Digital information services that foster efficiency and sustainability of IWT are considered important elements for improving its attractiveness and [...] Read more.
Inland waterway transportation (IWT) is highly efficient in terms of greenhouse gas emissions but lacks economic competitiveness when compared to other modes of transport. Digital information services that foster efficiency and sustainability of IWT are considered important elements for improving its attractiveness and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions of the transportation sector as a whole. Therefore, this paper addresses the question of what kind of digital information services are actually needed and should be provided, e.g., by port and waterway authorities, to stimulate a modal shift in favour of IWT. Though the concept of river information services (RIS) already provides a harmonised approach to information services in the sector, the current political and scientific discourse still lacks insight into what degree the currently available information services actually meet industry needs. Equally, possibilities to provide practical recommendations are limited. Therefore, this contribution fills this knowledge gap by providing data from the field gathered through a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. After elaborating on the underlying problem as well as the current state of research and practice, we will lay out observed information-relevant challenges to business actors and their respective needs. Based on this, practical recommendations for improvements of digital services and further avenues for research are derived. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Transformation in the Transport Sector: A Sustainable Approach)
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