Abstract Summary
The increasing volume of urban parcel deliveries has intensified the demand for efficient last-mile logistics solutions. Despite the promise of recent technological advancements, their comprehensive influence on sustainability is not yet clear and, in certain instances, may even be counterproductive. Small businesses aiming to offer delivery services encounter notable hurdles, particularly in terms of scalability and operational efficiency. This study critically examines crowdshipping as an innovative delivery method in urban logistics, focusing on key success factors that have the potential to redefine last-mile delivery services. In the current urban logistics landscape, various specialised last-mile services contribute to market segmentation, with their cumulative impact on sustainability remaining unclear. Crowdshipping, however, emerges as a potential paradigm shift, offering insights into its capacity to optimise last-mile delivery services. The study examines the role of user trust in relation to crowdshipping platforms, offering a thorough analysis of the complexities on the demand side inherent in this innovative model. On the supply side, the research delves into the potential of crowdshipping to generate additional trips in the urban areas. Moreover, the research identifies markets that could be suitable for outsourcing to independent crowdshipping entities or platforms. This comprehensive analysis of crowdshipping success factors aims to provide practical insights for stakeholders in the urban logistics sector. Understanding of user trust dynamics, trip generation propensities, and market opportunities is instrumental in conceptualising sustainable and efficient last-mile delivery solutions in crowdshipping.
