Sustainability in Road transportation - Case Study of a Beverage & A Cement Company

Abstract

Literature review suggests that the extant knowledge on the sustainability steps being taken by organizations in area of road transportation is quite deficient, especially in the context of Indian industry. The author through a Case study methodology and using qualitative approach has researched organizations to determine the state of measures which they are taking to limit their carbon footprints. Study presented in this article covers the sustainability measures which a large Beverage company in retail & consumer space is taking in comparison to another large Cement company in commodity & building material area.

Research shows that both companies are taking significant similar actions to limit emission of harmful Green House Gases (GHGs) in transportation of their products. Further, it is seen that the sustainability stepsare quite dependent on the nature of the products, cost of distribution and the delivery points and required reach of material.Research also shows that the stature of the companies also warrants that their policies and programs address the subject of sustainability in areas other than logistics and transportation.

While this study is done across industry segment/verticals, it would be appropriate to investigate organizations within the same industry type to also establish if competition influences the width and depth of sustainability steps being taken by the Indian organizations.

Key words:

• Road freight transportation
• Global logistics sustainability
• Green logistics and transportation
• Environmental sustainability practices