Building logistical space for the anthropocene: A study on logistics and green logistics

Abstract

Logistics refers to the coordination of various actors, including people, technologies, and infrastructures, to move goods and information across space and time. However, this definition oversimplifies the complex social, economic, and environmental interactions involved in the logistics process. By redefining logistics as a socio-technical assemblage, we can better understand its impacts on workers, the environment, and society at large, and develop more sustainable and equitable approaches to transportation and supply chain management. This study aims to comprehensively examine the evolution of logistics within its historical context, scrutinizing its multifaceted interconnections in economic, technological, sociological, and political realms. By analyzing the historical development of logistics, we can gain insights into the economic, technological, sociological, and political forces that have shaped logistics as we know it today. More importantly, this historical analysis will help us to better understand the current state of logistics and the challenges and opportunities associated with green logistics. Furthermore, it seeks to re-conceptualize green logistics within the framework of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and map its conceptual level using Deleuze & Guattari's assemblage theory. Following the perspective of STS studies, the study aims to highlight the elements that are systematically neglected by considering the stakeholders who have a say in the logistics processes. When examining the logistics processes that have become complex and intricate with the use of 3PL, 4PL, and 5PL (Fifth Party Logistics) today, it is important to note that the classical system approach proposed by understanding "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is insufficient, particularly in carbon emission calculations. Therefore, it is believed that using Deleuze & Guattari's assemblage theory could be beneficial in creating sustainable solutions. In order to understand logistics, it is essential to consider the various actors involved, including workers, consumers, and other stakeholders, as well as the technologies and infrastructures that support the movement of goods. By taking a holistic approach to logistics, we can identify the ways in which it intersects with other areas of society, such as politics, economics, and culture, and develop more effective and sustainable solutions. With the aforementioned approach, this study aims to analyze the current situation of logistics inclusively and to problematize the concept of green logistics with critical approaches in the literature.