Digital Supply Chain Twins in Urban Logistics System – Conception of an Integrative Platform

Abstract

Current trends in urban areas pose several challenges to city logistics stakeholders while also offering opportunities for optimization. With its analytics, modelling and simulation capabilities, the Digital Supply Chain Twin (DSCT) technology provides a possibility to optimize urban logistics processes. However, a number of barriers have limited the implementation of holistic DSCTs so far. An integrative, collaborative platform could decrease these barriers. By applying design science research methodology and expert interviews, this paper develops an architecture for a high-level cross-institutional platform for the generation of DSCTs. This framework includes a modular design of the platform through eight functional modules. The platform can facilitate the implementation of DSCTs for urban stakeholders and thus optimize urban logistics processes.

Keywords

• cross-institutional platform
• design science research
• digital supply chain twin
• digital twin
• urban logistics