An empirical study of intentions to adopt green logistics solutions

Abstract

One can easily notice the increasing interest in sustainable development and environmental issues. Initiatives related to the overcoming these issues stimulate organizations to take responsibility for their production and choose green logistics decisions. Regarding the impact of logistics operations upon the quality of air, logistics companies face a demand to modify these operations making them environmentally friendly. Modified operations have a huge potential in increasing profitability and market share of the companies, improving their image, optimizing logistics flows, providing competitive advantage, etc. These benefits determine an increasing interest for green logistics issues. This paper analyses how companies could lead initiative in this field by incorporating green logistics principles into their daily operations. Objective – to evaluate the extent of application of green logistics operations in Lithuanian companies. The study covered logistics operations in three major processes of green logistics, i. e. green procurement, green packaging and green transportation. Based on survey data from 429 logisticians, author found that the following operations are most frequently applied: purchasing in compliance with international environmental regulations, purchasing of recycled raw materials, cooperation with suppliers that follow stipulated environmental standards, and application of environmentally friendly packaging design. The survey found that green procurement and green packaging are applied in a most intense manner. Results of this research revealed the situation in application of green logistics tools in Lithuanian business companies, highlighted the problems faced by these companies. Such knowledge let author to propose suggestions for the stimulation of green logistics application in national context.