To better understand the consumer behaviours that drive demand for fast deliveries, this paper explores two key temporal aspects of the consumer journey: urgency and impatience. Urgency reflects a need for quick delivery, while impatience stems from a desire to receive products as soon as possible. Urgency and impatience merit attention to further understand consumer behaviour in relation to fast last-mile deliveries, as these pose challenges for logistics efficiency and environmental sustainability, particularly in the last-mile. The purpose of this paper is to explore urgency and impatience in the last-mile consumer journey, and the influence of these two concepts on the speed of last-mile deliveries. Additionally, the paper introduces the potential effects of urgency and impatience on environmental sustainability of such deliveries. The study uses diary entries from 15 Swedish e-commerce consumers over one month, followed by semi-structured interviews. Findings reveal that both urgency and impatience appear to be important denominators of consumer behaviour in the last-mile consumer journey. Further, urgency and impatience can have a direct impact on consumer choices regarding last-mile delivery method, including speed of delivery and reception of delivered orders. The paper also gives an increased understanding of how urgency and impatience can have implications for more environmentally sustainable last-mile deliveries. By taking a consumer-centric perspective on last-mile deliveries, this paper joins the recent academic conversation focusing on an increased understanding of the consumer to improve logistics operations.

Background

Climate changes are forcing a paradigm shift from cost-efficient transports to CO2-efficient transports. An important step to enable this paradigm shift is to reduce delivery time requirements for a large part of the deliveries, targeting delivery consolidation and more efficient routing (McKinnon, 2018). This study aims to enhance resource efficiency and reduce climate impact in urban last-mile deliveries. Addressing business-to-business deliveries, we will identify, and evaluate strategies to make last-mile distribution more sustainable. A key component of the study is the introduction of spatiotemporal delivery flexibility, i.e. flexibility in both delivery time and location, to reduce environmental impact in last mile deliveries. Trade-offs can be sought which improve the overall supply chain performance (Zijm and Klumpp, 2017) and strive for enhanced sustainability performance (McKinnon, 2018). Although published examples of ‘best practice’ advertise the benefits of logistics control, a systems perspective is lacking considering the performance of flexible spatiotemporal delivery schedules. 

 The inclusion of flexibility in delivery location and delivery times thus go hand in hand with logistic services, such as consolidation centra or booking systems, forming a bridge between vehicle and material data from suppliers and delivery destinations. In turn, these data can be converted into actionable measures, such as streamlining the transport trips in space and time, and ultimately better coordinate the different material and product. Crucial in achieving a resource-efficient last-mile delivery is that different stakeholders collaborate and share information to addresses various challenges (Sallnäs and Björklund, 2023). Last-mile logistics is a service production. In all service production it is important to understand how value by the service is created for different actors as well as to understand how the service is organized. The last-mile delivery supply chain includes several actors that have a sequential dependency in their physical flow of activities, but also a dependency on each others data and information to effectively organise the physical flow. To deliver what the final customer is expecting to a service level that make them return is important. 

The purpose is to analyse the change process in a B2B network focusing on the relationship between physical transport flexibility and information sharing and the actors power dependencies in implementing changes to accomplish spatiotemporal delivery flexibility. 

The implementation of resource-efficient last-mile deliveries in for example e-commerce has been through the use of parcel-boxes and different other innovative methods for handing over the package to the consumer (Halldórsson and Wehner, 2020). This however requires increased transport flexibility (Rogerson et al., 2025). Flexibility is the ability to change and have been studied within operations and transport research for several years through for example supply chain flexibility, manufacturing flexibility and transport flexibility and within these several flexibility dimensions have been identified such as volume, mix, method, time etc have been described. For example Rogerson et al. (2025) identifies that transport flexibility can be achieved through volume and temporal dimensions and translate them into different measures connected to transport planning, warehouse, terminal, transport operations and delivery. However, studies of the combination of spatial and temporal flexibility in B2B deliveries and how this is to be implemented within a network of actors are limited. Spatiotemoral flexibility have earlier been treated as a topic within energy scheduling and data management systems. 

Methodology:

The study is based on a single case study consisting of three actors in a network. The actors consist of a construction wholesaler, a transport provider and a data system provider. The study is based on individual interviews. joint workshops and observations with the three actors. The focus of the data collection has been to understand the dependencies between actors and the business and policy related impacts of the changes required to reach the spatiotemporal flexibility. An interview guide to capture the same information from all participating actors have been used. The workshops have been organized as future workshops, with the aim to formulate concrete solutions and action proposals. In terms of the analysis, a first step was to develop service blueprints. Service blueprints is a tool to provide an overview of the interdependencies between actors in service production. The service blue prints have been analysed with the focus of identifying how the changes to accomplish spatiotemporal flexibility in the last mile delivery to the final customer propagate through the service organisation flow between the actors of the studied network. This provides understanding of what activities that require change. These changes have thereafter been discussed with the actors to identify what are the possible pros and cons with these from their respective organisations point of view. Furthermore, the relationship between the actors and the necessary changes have been analysed through the lens of a power framework proposed by Hardy (1996). The framework categorises power into four dimensions: power of the system, power of meaning, power of processes and power of resources. Similar to the analysis of Sallnäs et al. (2022), this paper draws on these dimensions from an inter-organisational perspective, to understand how and why changes in spatiotemporal flexibility can be achieved. 

Analysis and results

The study contributes with detailed service blueprints including both physical and information related activities describing the delivery service of construction goods. 

The results show that spatiotemporal flexibility in delivery services emerges through interactions across the service network, rather than from isolated actors. Flexibility propagates unevenly, with specific activities, such as order consolidation, routing, and last-mile coordination, posing particular implementation challenges due to organisational and procedural constraints.

A central finding is the critical role of information flow in enabling flexibility. Achieving adaptive delivery planning requires timely and context-specific data sharing across actors. Current planning systems are insufficiently responsive, highlighting the need for new modules capable of processing dynamic and time-sensitive data.

Power relations strongly influence actors’ willingness and ability to adopt flexible practices. Furthermore, we identify how the different power dimensions affect the actors relationships and their willingness to do necessary changes among activities and data sharing. Notably, the power balance in the triadic relationship between wholesalers, transport providers, and data system suppliers - an underexplored configuration in logistics - has an impact on the possibilities for spatiotemporal delivery flexibility.

Purpose: E-commerce is a rapidly evolving sector where delivery alternatives and sustainability considerations are increasingly central to consumer choice and retailer competitiveness. Sustainability considerations are also important for reaching sustainability goals at a societal level. In the academic literature, time is often portrayed as a critical trade-off in sustainable logistics, with faster deliveries typically associated with higher environmental impacts. Meanwhile, it is unclear what offers regarding time and sustainability consumers face and a comprehensive understanding of how retailers present delivery alternatives is lacking. This study aims to fill this gap by systematically mapping the current practices of leading retailers.

Research Approach: Empirically, this paper relies on a structured webpage scan of the 73 largest retailers in Sweden, conducted in spring 2024. To ensure consistency across retailers, a predefined protocol was used. Items were put in a shopping basket, and, at the checkout, delivery alternatives were documented, including factors such as number of delivery alternatives, lead times, time windows, transport providers, cost of shipping, order of alternatives and sustainability aspects. The results are discussed in the light of green logistics and last-mile literature.

Findings and Originality: This study offers novel empirical insights into how the temporal dimensions of delivery as well as sustainability alternatives are currently communicated at the checkout stage — an area that has received limited attention in prior research. Findings reveal significant variations in how delivery alternatives are presented, with some retailers offering extensive choice and others providing limited alternatives. Further, 38% of the retailers present sustainable delivery alternatives, albeit with varying communication and phrasing, which can cause confusion for consumers. The study also offers insights regarding the order of and occurrence of preselected delivery alternatives. Surprisingly, findings suggest that Swedish retailers do not make a clear connection between longer delivery times and sustainability.

Research Impact: The study contributes to the growing literature on e-commerce logistics and sustainability by providing empirical evidence from a Swedish context. It takes a consumer perspective, adding a much-needed holistic view of how delivery alternatives can be perceived. The study would benefit from comparisons with other countries, particularly with higher population density.

Practical Impact: Retailers can use the findings to benchmark their practices regarding delivery offers and sustainability alternatives, thereby increasing their competitiveness. They may also find support for sustainability goals. Policymakers interested in promoting more sustainable e-commerce practices may get insights regarding how sustainable deliveries are presented and implications thereof.

Rapporten fokuserar på den kommersiella genomförbarheten av ett batteribytessystem för tunga lastbilar i Sverige. Genom att studera affärsmodeller, kompatibilitet med svenska regelverk och integration i transportverksamheten har vi utforskat hur disruptiva teknologier, ekosystemeffekter och cirkularitet skulle kunna möjliggöra en snabb introduktion och uppskalning av ett batteribytessystem. Ett särskilt fokus har legat på Kina för att analysera statusen för batteribyten och de processer som har lett till den snabba utvecklingen och uppskalningen där. I Kina krävde batteribyte en ny affärsmodell där aktörer såsom energiproducenter, batteritillverkare och maskinindustri går i spetsen för utvecklingen och spridningen av batteribyten. Batteribyte är nu den dominerande tekniken för eldrivna lastbilar i Kina.

Exempel på fördelar med batteribyte som förespråkas är att det bara tar några minuter att byta batteri, minskad investering för lastbilsägare, låg påverkan på det lokala elnätet och att fordons- och batterilivscykler separeras. En simuleringsstudie om batteribyte för tunga lastbilar i hamnverksamhet visar i denna rapport på tydliga fördelar jämfört med kabelladdning. Det finns dock ett par utmaningar med att införa batteribyte i Sverige. För det första finns det inga tydliga förespråkare för batteribyte inom industrin. Till exempel är de svenska och europeiska fordonstillverkarna tveksamma eftersom det utmanar deras nuvarande affärsmodell och att de kan ta rollen som grindvakter. För det andra omfattar inte de nuvarande standarderna och regelverken för fordon och energisystem i Sverige och i EU batteribyte. Rapporten tar också upp behovet av kunskap och utbildning av personer vid batteribytesstationer, samt vikten av social hållbarhet vid elektrifiering av tunga transporter.

The report focuses on the commercial feasibility of a battery-swapping system for heavy trucks in Sweden. By studying business models, the compatibility with Swedish regulations, and integration into transport operations, we explore how disruptive technologies, ecosystem effects, and circularity could enable a rapid introduction and diffusion of a battery-swapping system. A special focus is on China, covering the status of battery-swapping there and analysing the processes that have led to its rapid development and deployment. In China, battery-swapping creates a new business model where actors from energy production, battery manufacturing, and the mechanical industry spearhead the development and diffusion of the technology. Battery-swapping is now the dominant technology for electric trucks in China.

Advantages of battery-swapping include: only a few minutes battery swap time, reduced investment for truck owners, low impact on the local power grid, and separation of vehicle and battery life cycles. A simulation study in this report shows that battery-swapping for heavy trucks in harbour operations could offer clear advantages compared to cable charging. However, there are several challenges to introducing battery-swapping in Sweden. First, it has no clear promoters in the industry. Swedish and European vehicle manufacturers are hesitant because it challenges their current business model, and that they may instead take the role of gatekeeper. Second, current standards and regulatory frameworks for vehicles and energy systems in Sweden and in the European Union do not include battery-swapping. The report also addresses the need for knowledge and training of people at battery-swapping stations, and the importance of social sustainability in the electrification of heavy vehicle transport operations.

Aktörssamverkan är central för omställning mot en grönare transportsystem, exempelvis vid omställning till eldrift. En organisation i isolering har inte allt det som krävs för en omställning till eldrift, och resurser måste istället delas mellan centrala aktörer såsom fordonstillverkare, infrastrukturhållare och logistikföretag. En aktör har tekniken medan en annan kanske har kunskapen. Beroendet kan vara av olika karaktär och dess omfattning påverkas av exempelvis hur kritisk eller vanlig resursen är. Men på vilket sätt är dessa beroenden centralt vid valet av lösning? Laddning av batterier med sladd är det koncept som vi satsar främst på inom Europa, medan byte av batterier (battery swapping) är den teknik med störst genomslag i exempelvis Kina. Vi har jämfört vilken roll resursdelning har för dessa tekniker.Studien har jämfört resultat från två forskningsprojekt finansierade av Vinnova och Energimyndigheten. Båda projekten har haft arbetspaket som berör samverkan, samtidigt som de fokuserar olika former av tekniska lösningar. Empirin kommer från en strukturerad intervjustudie med 19 svenska logistikaktörer som testat sladdladdning, djupare intervjuer och workshops med olika aktörer från akademi och näringsliv. Empiriska data har analyserats utifrån Resource dependency theory.

E-commerce presents a fantastic opportunity for consumers to receive product deliveries anytime, anyhow and anywhere. However, a major challenge for all logistics systems is that of environmental sustainability, and for e-commerce, the distribution of products to consumers constitutes one of the largest environmental challenges. This chapter focusses on green distribution alternatives for consumers, and thereby provides an overview of how e-commerce can become more environmentally sustainable through offering such alternatives. The chapter starts by pointing to two major trends behind the greening of e-commerce: the growth of e-commerce itself and the increasing societal and corporate concern for environmental sustainability. Building on a series of studies of e-commerce development on the Swedish market, the perspectives of consumers, retailers and logistics service providers paint a broad picture of e-commerce delivery. Finally, today’s as well as potential future challenges for sustainable e-commerce deliveries are discussed.

Purpose: While fast deliveries have become the norm within e-commerce, research suggests speed might hinder environmental sustainability of last-mile logistics. To better understand how fast delivery options matter to consumers, two research questions are addressed: 1) What time-related aspects of e-commerce can consumers encounter during an online purchase? 2) What implications can these time-related aspects of e-commerce have on the environmental sustainability of last-mile deliveries?

Design/methodology/approach: Time-based diaries by consumers include detailed information about the consumers’ online purchases, from order to delivery, during several weeks. Theoretically, the paper draws on literature into e-commerce and green logistics.

Findings: Preliminary findings reveal two main categories of time-related aspects perceived by consumers in their online purchases: urgency and timing of delivery. While urgency was found important in some cases, not all consumers appear to need fast deliveries. Moreover, consumers can get spoiled by the fast deliveries offered to consumers. Respondents were positively surprised by how fast they got their deliveries. It also appeared that consumers coordinate pick up of parcels with other errands, limiting the need for additional private transport.

Research limitations/implications (if applicable): Research implications include contributions to the logistics literature, in which the time-related aspects of last-mile logistics in relation to environmental impact have been given surprisingly limited attention.

Practical implications (if applicable): Retailers and transport operators can use the results to question the prevailing time-focus within e-commerce.

Original/value: Insights regarding consumers’ time expectations adds to increased knowledge of service level in last-mile logistics.

Purpose: Among a multitude of initiatives that can contribute to decarbonize freight transport (McKinnon, 2018), electrification has surficed as a main strategy (Li et al, 2022). The transition towards electrification has commenced, but in particular for long-haul transportation it is slow. Obstacles to the transition include the price of the new technology, lack of infrastructure and lack of policy incentives. In addition, the technology is new to all actors. This new-ness, together with the acknowledged complexity of the transition to electrified freight proposes learning challenges for all involved actors, for example vehicle manufacturers, haulier firms, logistics service providers and shippers. The necessary knowledge to navigate and operate the freight transport system cannot reside in one single orchestrator of the supply chain, but must be shared among actors, which in turn highlight the need for interaction with the purpose to share knowledge and experiences, and to jointly build new knowledge. 

This paper aims to address how learning among actors in the supply chain can contribute to accelerate the electrification of freight transport.

Design / Methodology / Approach: This conceotual paper presents a framework for describing and analysing learning between actors in a supply chain. The framework takes a stance in a model for organisational learning (Crossan, Lane & White, 1999) adapted to the context of inter-organisational learning. This model will be adapted to the context of electrification of freight based on findings from a range of ongoing research projects into electrification of freight transport. 

Findings: The paper presents a model for describing and analysing learning between organisations in a supply chain. The model is conceptual and is intended to be used for analysing multi-actor learning processes in the context of electrification of freight.

Practical implications: The results of the paper include suggestions for how learning between actors in supply chains can increase, by which the transition towards electrification of freight can be accelerated.

Relevance / Contribution: Supply chain collaboration has only scaresly been analysed with a learning perspective. The application of learning as mechanisms for supply chain integration in a context of ongoing transition suggests that the results are both novel and relevant.