Exploring logistics-related environmental sustainability in large retailers
International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management
ISSN: 0959-0552
Article publication date: 11 January 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore and illustrate ways in which the world’s largest retailers describe their logistics-related environmental considerations, their environmental indicators applied to measure the effects of these considerations and their environmental consciousness in their CSR reports.
Design/methodology/approach
Classification models are developed via a literature review on logistics-related environmental considerations, indicators and consciousness. A content analysis approach is then applied to examine CSR reports from 12 of the world’s largest retailers.
Findings
Few retailers show environmental considerations in all logistics activities, but purchasing is especially well described. Even if many retailers claim to use the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework, no one uses is completely. Judging consciousness from CSR reports raised a number of questions.
Research limitations/implications
A contribution to theory is the development of two classification models. The first provides a description structure for environmental considerations related to logistics activities. The second expands the GRI indicator framework by incorporating a structure for logistics activities.
Practical implications
The classification models developed can be an important mean for managers and also consumers to judge the environmental sustainability of retailers by their CSR reports.
Social implications
The study makes a social contribution with its input on sustainability and especially environmental issues.
Originality/value
Few studies have focused upon environmentally sustainable logistics in retail chains, and even fewer address how to measure environmental sustainability in this context.
Keywords
Citation
Björklund, M., Forslund, H. and Persdotter Isaksson, M. (2016), "Exploring logistics-related environmental sustainability in large retailers", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 44 No. 1, pp. 38-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-05-2015-0071
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited