Title:
ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ON ENHANCING THE LAST-MILE DELIVERY AND ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION SUSTAINABILITY POST COVID-19

Authors:
Olta Myslimi, Paul Muinde Maweu and Premilla Padayachee, China

Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to assess the role technology on enhancing the last-mile delivery and environment conservation sustainability. Specifically, it focused on providing answers to the following questions: Is technology enhancing last mile deliveries post Covid-19 pandemic? Are businesses using technology solutions to mitigate last mile delivery challenges? Is use of technology in last mile delivery helping in environment conservation sustainability? Does technology enhance effective B2B and B2C deliveries? The study adopted desktop research design and used secondary data based on analysing published scientific papers through platforms; Web of Science, Scopus and Emerald with majority of information derived from journals or conference proceedings not more than three years after covid-19 i.e. 2023 from the internet sources. The study found that technology enhanced last mile delivery, due to the accelerating pace of digital innovation, increased online participation, rapid growth in data analytics and transmission, and platforms facilitating innovation. The sampled papers proved that new technological development increased the efficiency, visibility, transparency of inventory levels, demand forecasting, production processes, and logistics which emphasized the role of technology as a facilitator of supply chain. The findings showed that, Technology on e-commerce experienced a massive growth within the years after Covid-19 and more and more businesses headed to the online system to sell their products and services and more customers turned to online due to convenience of the online purchase system. The results showed that, technology use in last mile delivery enhanced environmental conservation sustainability by reducing traffic in roads since orders for one location can be delivered by one truck. The study also, found challenges of last-mile delivery and presented a detailed understanding on the technology innovative solutions to mitigate the challenges. As depicted by the sampled researches last mile delivery challenges included delivery inefficiency, high costs, delayed deliveries, low-visibility, outdated technology, inaccurate route planning. Therefore, modern technology proved to be a main facilitator in addressing these challenges by providing faster deliveries, higher visibility and better quality and environment conservation sustainability. The study recommended increase of use of modern technology to enhance further last mile delivery and environment conservation sustainability.