322
V. W. B. Martins et al.
spheres. Agyabeng-Mensah and Ahenkorah (2020) corroborate the aforementioned
point of view.
The inclusion of sustainability in logistical operations is an issue that has been
increasingly attracting the attention of academia and market professionals. Specifically in the academic field, Hong et al. (2018) argue that there are many gaps to be
investigated regarding the inclusion of sustainability in logistical systems, mainly
those related to understanding the social benefits generated. In fact, Leal Filho et al.
(2019) expanded this opportunities analysis by stating that research related to the
insertion of sustainability in business environment still needs to be analyzed in greater
depth.
In this scenario, Production Engineering can greatly contribute to the inclusion of
sustainability in logistics systems. The National Meeting of Production Engineering
(ENEGEP), in Brazil, is characterized as an important forum for debates on this
and other topics in the area. This event is organized by the Brazilian Association of
Production Engineering (ABEPRO), an institution that represents students, professors, researchers and market professionals associated to Production Engineering
field. ENEGEP is annually organized for over 30 years and involves an average
of 2500 people, including students, professors, researchers and professionals from
market.
Considering the context presented, this study aims to provide an overview of the
themes most addressed by articles published in the ENEGEP annals in the area of
sustainability in logistics systems, as well as to identify possible research gaps to be
explored.
2 Sustainable Logistic
Sustainable logistics is characterized as one of the main trends in the development of
activities that compose a company’s operations (Seroka-Stolka and Ociepa-Kubicka
2019). This statement is corroborated by Karaman et al. (2020) who also mention
that logistics sector has a considerable impact on the economic growth of countries and should be guided by the adoption of sustainable practices. Rashidi and
Cullinane (2019) advocate the adoption of sustainable practices in logistical actions,
highlighting that they currently depend heavily on non-renewable natural resources
and fossil fuels, which significantly impact the environment.
The insertion of sustainability in logistics operations requires the development of
an adequate structure to meet operational needs of distribution flows and to provide
reverse flows of post-consumer products. Thus, it becomes evident that the inclusion of sustainability in logistics activities generates greater complexity in terms of
management, requiring more qualified professionals (Lee et al. 2010). Additionally,
according to Abbasi and Nilsson (2016), in order to promote a sustainable logistic
system, it is necessary to develop activities with greater economic and social value
and, simultaneously, to reduce negative environmental impact. Despite the reality
V. W. B. Martins et al.
spheres. Agyabeng-Mensah and Ahenkorah (2020) corroborate the aforementioned
point of view.
The inclusion of sustainability in logistical operations is an issue that has been
increasingly attracting the attention of academia and market professionals. Specifically in the academic field, Hong et al. (2018) argue that there are many gaps to be
investigated regarding the inclusion of sustainability in logistical systems, mainly
those related to understanding the social benefits generated. In fact, Leal Filho et al.
(2019) expanded this opportunities analysis by stating that research related to the
insertion of sustainability in business environment still needs to be analyzed in greater
depth.
In this scenario, Production Engineering can greatly contribute to the inclusion of
sustainability in logistics systems. The National Meeting of Production Engineering
(ENEGEP), in Brazil, is characterized as an important forum for debates on this
and other topics in the area. This event is organized by the Brazilian Association of
Production Engineering (ABEPRO), an institution that represents students, professors, researchers and market professionals associated to Production Engineering
field. ENEGEP is annually organized for over 30 years and involves an average
of 2500 people, including students, professors, researchers and professionals from
market.
Considering the context presented, this study aims to provide an overview of the
themes most addressed by articles published in the ENEGEP annals in the area of
sustainability in logistics systems, as well as to identify possible research gaps to be
explored.
2 Sustainable Logistic
Sustainable logistics is characterized as one of the main trends in the development of
activities that compose a company’s operations (Seroka-Stolka and Ociepa-Kubicka
2019). This statement is corroborated by Karaman et al. (2020) who also mention
that logistics sector has a considerable impact on the economic growth of countries and should be guided by the adoption of sustainable practices. Rashidi and
Cullinane (2019) advocate the adoption of sustainable practices in logistical actions,
highlighting that they currently depend heavily on non-renewable natural resources
and fossil fuels, which significantly impact the environment.
The insertion of sustainability in logistics operations requires the development of
an adequate structure to meet operational needs of distribution flows and to provide
reverse flows of post-consumer products. Thus, it becomes evident that the inclusion of sustainability in logistics activities generates greater complexity in terms of
management, requiring more qualified professionals (Lee et al. 2010). Additionally,
according to Abbasi and Nilsson (2016), in order to promote a sustainable logistic
system, it is necessary to develop activities with greater economic and social value
and, simultaneously, to reduce negative environmental impact. Despite the reality