Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Green Supply Chain Management: Evidence from Viettel Post
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied to support green supply chain management practices (GSCMP) through an exploratory single-case study of Viettel Post, a leading logistics enterprise in Vietnam. We draw on five semi-structured interviews with managerial informants (July-September 2024) and triangulate them with company documents and public secondary sources. Using thematic analysis, we find that AI adoption is currently most developed in operational and reverse-logistics activities (e.g., route optimization, sorting automation, and smart energy controls), while AI use in green purchasing and inter-organizational environmental collaboration remains limited due to data availability, investment cost, skills, and partner data-sharing constraints. We interpret this uneven adoption pattern through the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and dynamic capabilities and propose a phased "low-hanging fruit" roadmap emphasizing data readiness, governance, and leadership commitment. The study contributes qualitative evidence from an emerging-market logistics context while acknowledging limitations inherent to a single-case design and a small interview sample.
Keywords
Artificial Intelligence, Green supply chain management, Logistics, Digital Technologies, Viettel Post
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2004.01.005
[2] S. K. Srivastava, Green supply-chain management: A state-of-the-art literature review, International Journal of Management Reviews, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 53–80, Mar. 2007.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2007.00202.x
[3] S. A. R. Khan, Z. Yu, M. Umar, and S. H. A. Kazmi, Green capabilities and green performance: The role of green supply chain management, International Journal of Green Energy, vol. 15, no. 14–15, pp. 749–760, Oct. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2018.1529595
[4] M. Umar, S. A. R. Khan, M. Y. Yusliza, S. Ali, and Y. Zhang, Industry 4.0 and green supply chain practices: An empirical study, International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, vol. 71, no. 3, pp. 814–832, Feb. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-12-2020-0633
[5] R. G. Richey Jr., S. Chowdhury, B. Davis-Sramek, M. Giannakis, and Y. K. Dwivedi, Artificial intelligence in logistics and supply chain management: A roadmap for research, Journal of Business Logistics, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 532–549, Oct. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbl.12323
[6] C. Qu and E. Kim, Reviewing the roles of AI-integrated technologies in sustainable supply chain management: Research propositions and a framework for future directions, Sustainability, vol. 16, iss. 14, Jul. 2024, Art. no. 6186. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146186
[7] G. Culot, M. Podrecca, and G. Nassimbeni, Artificial intelligence in supply chain management: A systematic literature review of empirical studies and research directions, Computers in Industry, vol. 162, Nov. 2024, Art. no. 104132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2024.104132
[8] L. Rivera, V. Gauthier-Umana, and C. Chauhan, Blockchain: An opportunity to improve supply chains in the wake of digitalization, International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, vol. 4, iss.2, Nov. 2024, Art. no. 100290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2024.100290
[9] Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Logistics Report 2023: Digital transformation in logistics, Ha Noi, Vietnam: MOIT, 2024.
[10] F. M. Tsai, T. D. Bui, M. L. Tseng, M. K. Lim, and K. Tan, Sustainable supply chain management in emerging economies: A review of environmental and social aspects, challenges and policy recommendations, Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 330, Mar. 2023, Art. no. 117137.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117137
[11] T. T. P. Le, Artificial intelligence applications in logistics and supply chain management: Global trends and practices in Vietnam, Vietnam Trade and Industry Review, Jun. 17, 2024.
[12] Q. Zhu and J. Sarkis, The moderating effects of institutional pressures on emergent green supply chain practices and performance, International Journal of Production Research, vol. 45, no. 18-19, pp. 4333–4355, Sep. 2007. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207540701440345
[13] M. J. Labaran and T. Masood, Industry 4.0 driven green supply chain management in renewable energy sector: A critical systematic literature review, Energies, vol. 16, iss. 19, Oct. 2023, Art. no. 6977. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16196977
[14] J. Sun, S. H. Abdul-Rashid, and S. Kannan, Big data analytics for sustainable green supply chain management: A review, Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 225, pp. 1188–1202, Jun. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.072
[15] S. Benzidia, N. Makaoui, and J. Marx Gómez, Improving reverse logistics performance using artificial intelligence: A literature review, Logistics, vol. 5, no. 4, Dec. 2021, Art. no. 88.
https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5040088
[16] W. Reim, V. Parida, and D. R. Sjödin, Circular business models for the implementation of smart circular systems: A framework and propositions for future research, Sustainability, vol. 12, no. 16, Aug. 2020, Art. no. 6483. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166483
[17] L. G. Tornatzky and M. Fleischer, The Process of Technological Innovation. Lexington, MA, USA: Lexington Books, 1990.
[18] D. J. Teece, Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance, Strategic Management Journal, vol. 28, iss. 13, pp. 1319–1350, Dec. 2007.
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640
[19] R. K. Yin, Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods, 6th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE, 2018.
[20] VnExpress, Sếp Viettel Post: Robot giúp tăng năng suất đến 30%, Oct. 31, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://vnexpress.net/sep-viettel-post-robot-giup-tang-nang-suat-den-30-4810701.html, Accessed on: Jan. 22, 2026.
[21] VnExpress, Công viên logistics lớn nhất Việt Nam, Dec. 11, 2024. [Online]. Available:
https://vnexpress.net/cong-vien-logistics-lon-nhat-viet-nam-4826494.html, Accessed on: Jan. 22, 2026.
[22] V. Braun and V. Clarke, Using thematic analysis in psychology, Qualitative Research in Psychology, vol. 3, iss. 2, pp. 77–101, Jul. 2006. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
[23] Y. S. Lincoln and E. G. Guba, Naturalistic Inquiry. Beverly Hills, CA, USA: Sage, 1985.
[24] A. Tong, P. Sainsbury, and J. Craig, Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): A 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups, International Journal of Quality in Health Care, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 349–357, Dec. 2007. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042