Last-mile logistics refers to the final step in the delivery process of physical goods from the last transit point to the final drop point of the business-to-customer supply chain. This critical step faces the dual challenge of fulfilling the requirements of globalised trade while addressing high inefficiencies associated with delivery costs and transport externalities. Innovation is a crucial aspect to enable the transition from current last-mile logistics systems towards more sustainable configurations.
The European Union defines an external cost, or externality, as the cost arising when “the social or economic activities of one group have an impact on another group and when that impact is not fully accounted, or compensated for, by the first group”. The increase in e-commerce in the last few years, with a worldwide growth rate of 23.3% in 2018 has further accelerated since the Covid19 Pandemic. This means greater parcel volumes that need to be delivered each day requiring more delivery vehicles.
Previous research on last-mile logistics has identified several innovations able to reduce transport externality costs such as innovative vehicles (electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, drones, and cargo bikes), proximity stations or points, collaborative urban logistics, optimisation of transport management and routing, and innovations in public policy and infrastructures. The implementation of each type of innovation can be viewed from three different perspectives represented by the various stakeholders involved. From the demand side, represented by individual customers and companies or institutions, from the supply side, represented by CEPs (courier, express and parcel companies), producers and online shops, and from a policy/regulatory perspective, represented by local authorities (Bandeira et al., 2018). The aim of this project is to analyse the behaviour of Irish supply-side e-commerce stakeholders towards innovative last-mile logistics solutions from a sustainability perspective.
APPLICATIONS
Candidates must submit a brief literature review (500 words, not including the list of references in the word count) of their selected project, accompanied by a short CV (one page) and complete the registration form. An applicant may apply for more than one project, however each application must have a separate literature review.
An Honours Degree (minimum 2.2, but 2.1 or higher is desirable) in the relevant business/computing/engineering disciplines.Candidates from outside the EU are eligible to apply but may be expected to provide evidence of sources of additional funds to cover living expenses for the first month in Ireland.
If either English or Irish is not the applicant’s first language, evidence of English language proficiency is required for registration. Applicants must have attained a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, due to the very high academic writing standard required for postgraduate qualifications through research.
Application Form / Terms of Conditions can be obtained on the website: https://www.itsligo.ie/oscar/
Please send your completed application form to Sean Walker - [Email Address Removed]
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm, (GMT) 6th of June 2022.
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