Bibliometric analysis on the integration of Last-Mile Logistics with Industry 4.0

Authors

  • Kévila Camilla Santos de Oliveira

    Universidade Federal de Catalão/Faculdade de Engenharia

    Author

  • Dalton Matsuo Tavares

    Universidade Federal de Catalão/Instituto de Biotecnologia

    Author

  • Stella Jacyszyn Bachega

    Universidade Federal de Catalão/Faculdade de Engenharia

    Author

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v12i5.52760
Keywords:
Last-Mile logistics, Industry 4.0, Bibliometric analysis, VOSviewer
Abstract

Last Mile Logistics (LML) represents the final stage of a Business to Consumer (B2C) service, delivering goods to the intended customers. Some challenges of the logistics process can be overcome using Industry 4.0 tools and technologies. This article aims to identify, through bibliometric analysis, the scientific production that links LML and Industry 4.0 from 2021 to 2025, examining the authors, collaboration networks, and trends of emerging research themes. To this end, the hypothetico-deductive scientific method was applied, along with a mixed qualitative and quantitative research approach and the bibliometric analysis procedure using the VOSviewer software. The investigation used the ScienceDirect database. The publication pattern within the analyzed time horizon was examined using term co-occurrence techniques and cluster analysis. The results indicate that most research associated with IoT, big data, and autonomous vehicles is dedicated to LML. This suggests the importance of these technologies for optimizing deliveries. This study presents the scientific landscape and provides support for proposing theoretical–conceptual models and practical solutions in the logistics field.

Author Biographies
  1. Kévila Camilla Santos de Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Catalão/Faculdade de Engenharia

    Aluna de Mestrado em Engenharia de Produção pela Universidade Federal de Catalão (UFCAT). Formada em Engenharia de Produção pela UFCAT e MBA em Engenharia de Produção pela Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Tenho experiência em projetos acadêmicos e voluntários, destacando-me na aplicação de metodologias como 5S, Lean Seis Sigma (Yellow Belt), Planejamento e Controle de Produção, além de gestão de projetos utilizando MS Project. Atuei em programas de extensão, como o Engenheiros do Bem e grupos de apoio a mulheres na engenharia, e colaborei com atividades do laboratório de automação e controle da UFCAT. Participei de programas de iniciação científica focados no desenvolvimento de produtos, processos e automação, além de um envolvimento ativo em práticas sustentáveis. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9678-1224

  2. Dalton Matsuo Tavares, Universidade Federal de Catalão/Instituto de Biotecnologia

    Dalton Matsuo Tavares possui uma formação multidisciplinar como principal característica. É Doutor em Engenharia Mecânica, área de concentração de dinâmica das máquinas e sistemas, pela Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, na Universidade de São Paulo, no laboratório de Engenharia Mecatrônica (EESC/USP 2010). Sua formação inclui o desenvolvimento de pesquisas voltadas a área de robótica, padrões de comunicação industrial e plataformas de controle abertas, voltadas à integração padronizada de dispositivos em ambientes de produção. É Bacharel em Ciência da Computação pelo Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas, na Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (IBILCE/Unesp 1999) e mestre em Ciências da Computação pelo Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação (ICMC/USP 2002). Tem experiência na área de Ciência da Computação, com ênfase em Sistemas Operacionais e Segurança de Redes, atuando principalmente em sistemas operacionais, segurança computacional, segurança de redes, agentes móveis, captura de pacotes (sniffing) e sistemas detectores de intrusão (SDIs). (Texto informado pelo autor). http://lattes.cnpq.br/2307520004470578

  3. Stella Jacyszyn Bachega, Universidade Federal de Catalão/Faculdade de Engenharia

    Doutorado (2013) e mestrado (2006) em Engenharia da Produção na Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), e graduação (2005) em Administração pela Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA). Dentre as áreas de atuação em ensino, pesquisa e extensão, estão: pesquisa operacional, sistemas e tecnologia da informação, gestão de operações, sustentabilidade e administração. Realiza pesquisas que proporcionem abordagens transversais envolvendo duas ou mais das seguintes áreas: administração de setores específicos, engenharia de produção, computação, ambiental, estatística e automação. Ainda, é líder do Grupo de Estudos em Modelagem e Simulação - GEMS. (Texto informado pelo autor). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7533-5361

References

Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007

Bouchard, S., Abdulnour, G., & Gamache, S. (2022). Agility and Industry 4.0 implementation strategy in a Quebec manufacturing SME. Sustainability, 14(13), 7884. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14137884

Bryman, A. (1989). Research methods and organization studies. Londres: Uniwin Hyman.

Carvalho, M. C. M. (2000). Construindo o saber. 2a ed. Campinas: Papirus.

Caspersen, E., Jordbakke, G. N., & Knapskog, M. (2023). Evaluation of a parcel locker pilot in the Oslo area. Recuperado de https://www.toi.no/getfile.php/1374910-1677588385/Publikasjoner/T%C3%98I%20rapporter/2023/1943-2023/1943-2023_Summary.pdf

Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research design: Qualitative & quantitative approaches. Sage.

Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070

Ellegaard, O., & Wallin, J. A. (2015). The bibliometric analysis of scholarly production: How great is the impact? Scientometrics, 105(3), 1809–1831. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-015-1645-z

Elsokkary, N., Otrok, H., Singh, S., Mizouni, R., Barada, H., & Omar, M. (2023). Crowdsourced last mile delivery: Collaborative workforce assignment. Internet of Things, 22, 100692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iot.2023.100692

Gevaers, R., Van de Voorde, E., & Vanelslander, T. (2014). Cost modelling and simulation of last-mile characteristics in an innovative B2C supply chain environment with implications on urban areas and cities. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 125, 398–411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.1483

Hahn, A. (2016). Operational technology and information technology in industrial control systems. In E. Colbert & A. Kott (Eds.), Cyber-security of SCADA and other industrial control systems (Advances in Information Security, Vol. 66, pp. 51–68). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32125-7_4

Harrington, L., & Smith, R. H. (2018). Digitalization and the supply chain: Where are we and what’s next? DHL Research brief. Recuperado de https://translogconnect.eu/uploaded/_DHL_Digitalization.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Hofmann, E., & Rüsch, M. (2017). Industry 4.0 and the current status as well as future prospects on logistics. Computers in Industry, 89, 23–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2017.04.002

Huang, G. Q., & Mak, K. L. (2012). Internet applications in product design and manufacturing. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Recuperado de https://books.google.com.br/books?id=76DwCAAAQBAJ

Kervenoael, R., et al. (2020). Same-day delivery models: Impacts and efficiency. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.102016

Kraus, S., Bouncken, R. B., & Yela Aránega, A. (2024). The burgeoning role of literature review articles in management research: An introduction and outlook. Review of Managerial Science, 18(2), 299–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-024-00729-1

Lim, S. F. W. T., & Srai, J. S. (2018). Examining the anatomy of last-mile distribution in e-commerce omnichannel retailing: A supply network configuration approach. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 38(9), 1735–1764. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-12-2016-0733

Lima, F. R., & Gomes, R. (2020). Conceitos e tecnologias da Indústria 4.0: Uma análise bibliométrica. Revista Brasileira de Inovação, 19, e0200023. https://doi.org/10.20396/rbi.v19i0.8658766

Motavallian, J. (2019). Last mile delivery in the retail sector in an urban context (Doctoral thesis, RMIT University). RMIT University Research Repository. https://research-repository.rmit.edu.au/articles/thesis/Last_mile_delivery_in_the_retail_sector_in_an_urban_context/27579324

Mukherjee, D., et al. (2022). Guidelines for advancing theory and practice through bibliometric research. Journal of Business Research, 148, 101–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.04.042

Naclerio, A. G., & De Giovanni, P. (2022). Blockchain, logistics and omnichannel for last mile and performance. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 33(2), 663–686. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-08-2021-0415

Özarik, S. S., et al. (2021). Optimizing e-commerce last-mile vehicle routing and scheduling under uncertain customer presence. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 148, 102263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2021.102263

Öztürk, O. (2021). Bibliometric review of resource dependence theory literature: An overview. Management Review Quarterly, 71(3), 525–552. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-020-00192-8

Öztürk, O., Kocaman, R., & Kanbach, D. K. (2024). How to design bibliometric research: An overview and a framework proposal. Review of Managerial Science, 18, 3333–3361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-024-00738-0

Pritchard, A. (1969). Statistical bibliography or bibliometrics? Journal of Documentation, 25(4), 348-349.

World Economic Forum. (2020). The future of the last-mile ecosystem. Recuperado de https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-the-last-mile-ecosystem/

Zhang, Y., Jiang, P., Huang, G., Qu, T., Zhou, G., & Hong, J. (2012). RFID-enabled real-time manufacturing information tracking infrastructure for extended enterprises. J Intell Manuf, 23, 2357-2366. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-010-0475-3

Cover Image
Downloads
Published
2026-05-23
Issue
Vol. 12 No. 5 (2026): Special Issue VII Symposium on Production Engineering (SIENPRO)
Section
Innovation, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship: Paths to Transforming Production Engineering
License

Copyright (c) 2026 Oliveira, K. C. S. de, Tavares, D. M, & Bachega, S. J.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

All works published in the Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering (BJPE) are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). This means that: Anyone can copy, distribute, display, adapt, remix, and even commercially use the content published in the journal; Provided that due credit is given to the authors and to BJPE as the original source; No additional permission is required for reuse, as long as the license terms are respected. This policy complies with the principles of open access, promoting the broad dissemination of scientific knowledge. 🔗 Click here to access the full license

How to Cite

Oliveira, K. C. S. de, Tavares, D. M., & Bachega, S. J. (2026). Bibliometric analysis on the integration of Last-Mile Logistics with Industry 4.0. Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering, 12(5), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v12i5.52760