Logistic Sector as a Support Segment for Sustainable Supply Chains - Technology Management for Sustainable Production and Logistics - page 82

of the given releases of the several titles indicate clearly that the interest in SSC
issues has increased.
The review of issues discussed by the given authors leads to the conclusion that
the subject matter of SSC is exceptionally complex 3 and it is problematic to main-
tain a comprehensive scientific discourse in this matter. Therefore, establishing a
framework supporting SSC implementation is extremely difficult. Moreover, the
attempts of setting the framework for SSC (Carter and Jennings 2004 ; Carter and
Rogers 2008 ; Jayaratne et al. 2011 ; Maloni and Brown 2006 ; Morali and Searcy
2013 ; Seuring and Müller 2008 ; Svensson 2007 ; Zhu et al. 2007 ; Zsidisin and
Siferd 2001 ) don't provide a finite set of rules explaining socially responsible
actions in a supply chain, and each subsequent proposal of the framework only
shows other perspectives for possible analyses.
Taking the above into consideration, it is advisable to develop specific business
models on the basis of general guidelines found in the literature, which integrate
the issues of sustainable development typical of the given sector.
As a starting point of the future analyses the following research scheme can be
used (Fig. 1 ).
As presented clearly by the given scheme, the logistic sector is naturally predis-
posed in an exceptional way to the diffusion of knowledge about socially responsi-
ble actions in the entire supply chain and therefore, it can play a significant role in
underpinning SSC.
3 Challenges and Directions of Development of the
Logistics Industry in the Context of Corporate Social
Responsibility
The transport, forwarding and logistics industry and, in particular, its entities—
logistics companies—constitute an important element of present-day supply
chains, but also the economy. In terms of its direct contribution to the economy,
logistics services account for around 9 % of global GDP ( 2013 ). In the European
Union alone, the logistics sector generated revenues of € 1 trillion in 2009, or
around 10 % of European GDP (Klaus and Kille 2008 / 2009 ).
In spite of its maturity, this sector is still being shaped and its structures are
being established. There are many companies specialized in one field of logistics
activity, such as warehouse businesses, transport companies ( http://www.commd
ev.org/iles/1339_ile_Logistics.pdf ) , customs agencies. Logistics operators also
emerge that integrate processes related with transport, storage, distribution and
that serve whole supply chains.
3 Due to the text width, individual topics and years of publications assigned to the specific
authors have not been distinguished in the tables.