LAST-MILE DELIVERY - A CHALLENGING OPPORTUNITY FOR SMES: MANAGERIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS

Zdenek Dvorak, Lyudmila Prigoda, Zoran P. Cekerevac

Abstract


Cities are expanding and becoming more populated. Citizens are becoming increasingly demanding in meeting their needs. Retail must constantly adapt to new client requirements. As a result, last-mile delivery is becoming more complex and requires new methods and innovative solutions. SMEs are becoming increasingly significant participants in the logistics chain. Transformation of last-mile delivery provides them with new development opportunities. After a short consideration of the current situation and forecasting future needs in logistics, the article detailly analyzes the importance of SMEs and the importance of modern last-mile delivery. In the second chapter, the authors analyzed modern e-commerce through the opportunities for SMEs participating in the global market and logistics chains and the challenges SMEs face. Specific attention the authors paid to the analysis of security and financing, which can be considered the most critical factors in the participation of SMEs in last-mile delivery. Some of the most common innovative logistics solutions and the need for legal regulations are analyzed below. Based on the analyses carried out in the work, in the Conclusions chapter, the conclusions reached by the authors are systematized and presented with suggestions for the continuation of the research.


Keywords


last-mile delivery, SME, logistics, innovative solutions, regulatory support, security, funding.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Aricha, M. (2018, Jul 17). Labor Market Briefings Services. Retrieved from euraxess ip&d: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/labor_market_information-_transport_and_storage_sector_0.pdf

Cekerevac, Z., & Bogavac, M. (2023). Logistics and last-mile delivery in smart cities. MTC AJ, III-1 - III-7. Retrieved from https://mtc-aj.com/article.2335_EN.htm

Cekerevac, Z., Dvorak, Z., Prigoda, L., & Cekerevac, P. (2016). Big vs small data in micro and small companies. Communications(3), 34-40. Retrieved from https://komunikacie.uniza.sk/pdfs/csl/2016/03/06.pdf

Cekerevac, Z., Prigoda, L., & Bogavac, M. (2022). Chapter 1. Digitalization and smart cities (In Russian Glava 1. Tsifrovizatsiya i umnyye goroda). In E. Safonov, S. Kirsanov, & Z. Čekerevac, Smart Cities - Development Prospects in Bulgaria, India, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Turkey (pp. 1-75). Belgrade - Moscow: MESTE. doi:10.12709/mon.1.g1

Cusmano, L. (2015). New Approaches to SME and Entrepreneurship Financing: Broadening the Range of Instruments. Istanbul: OECD.

Čekerevac, Z., Bogavac, M., & Radovanović, D. (2023). Some Solutions to Overcome Challenges Faced by Last-Mile Delivery in Smart Cities. Mechanics Transport Communications Academic Journal.

Čekerevac, Z., Davidović, B., & Čekerevac, P. (2010). Total quality management in public administration – the case of municipal government. Zborník prispevkov z medzinarodnej vedeckej konferencie Ekonomicky a socialny rozvoj Slovenska (pp. 113-125). Bratislava, SK: VŠEMVS. Retrieved from https://www.cekerevac.eu/biblioteka/K34.pdf

Čekerevac, Z., Dvorak, Z., & Prigoda, L. (2021). Electric or Internal Combustion Engines for Passenger Cars? - Environmental and Economic Aspects. Unpublished, 12.

Dvorak, Z., Rehak, D., David, A., & Cekerevac, Z. (2020). Qualitative Approach to Environmental Risk Assessment in Transport. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15), 17(15), 1-18. doi:10.3390/ijerph17155494

EC. (2020, Mar). Unleashing the full potential of European SMEs. Retrieved from European Commission: https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/smes_en

Eurostat. (2020, May 14). Small and medium-sized enterprises: an overview. Retrieved from Eurostat: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20200514-1

Eurostat. (2023, Feb 09). Sectoral analysis of employment by enterprise size class, Transportation and storage. Retrieved from Eurostat: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:F5_Sectoral_analysis_of_employment_by_enterprise_size_class,_Transportation_and_storage_(NACE_Section_H),_EU,_2020.png

Frederick, B. (2013). The Role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMSs) In Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction in Temeke Municipal Council. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Mzumbe University.

Hoffmann, T., & Prause, G. (2018). On the Regulatory Framework for Last-Mile Delivery Robots. machines, 6(3), 33. doi:10.3390/machines6030033

OECD. (2023, Sep 07). SDBS Structural Business Statistics (ISIC Rev. 4). Retrieved from OECD.Stat: https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?QueryId=61285#

Rodrigue, J.-P., & Dablanc, L. (2021, 01 15). What is City Logistics? Retrieved from globalcitylogistics.org: https://globalcitylogistics.org/home/a-freight-and-the-city/what-is-city-logistics/

Safonov, E., Kirsanov, S., & Čekerevac, Z. (2022). Vvedenie. In Z. Čekerevac, L. Prigoda, M. Bogavac, D. Todorova, K. Krastanov, P. Kolev, & .. .. Mamedov., SMART CITIES - Development Prospects in Bulgaria, India, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Turkey (pp. VIII-X). Belgrade - Moscow: MESTE.

Team Happen Recently. (2023, 08 16). E-commerce Logistics Solutions for MSMEs: Streamlining Last-Mile Delivery. Retrieved from Happen Recently: https://happenrecently.com/e-commerce-logistics-solutions/

Yuhua, Z., & Bayhaqi, A. (2013). SMEs’ Participation in Global Production Chains. APEC Policy Support Unit. Retrieved from https://www.apec.org/docs/default-source/publications/2020/4/overview-of-the-sme-sector-in-the-apec-region---key-issues-on-market-access-and-internationalization/220_psu_sme-market-access-and-internalization.pdf


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.