Logistics 5.0: Biosocial–technical interactions in logistics

Purpose – There is an ongoing transition from Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 to Industry 5.0 and Logistics 5.0, which highlights the need not to exceed planetary boundaries. This motivates increased consideration of biological issues related to logistics. The purpose of this paper is to explain a new framing of logistics that emphasizes the importance of biological issues. Design/methodology/approach – Exploratory research comprising three activities. Critical review of current framings. Survey research of biological, social and technological trends in African logistics. Formulation of propositions that were validated through negative case (NC) analysis. Findings – Existing framings were found not to encompass biological, social and technological issues together. Lack of explicit consideration of biological issues in African logistics highlights the need for increased emphasis on biological issues. NC analysis validated seven propositions for a new framing: biosocial–technical interactions in logistics. Practical implications – Biosocial–technical interactions in logistics should be considered throughout the world. For example, the expansion of logistics infrastructure can contribute to the loss of species habitats. Habitat loss can contribute to species migrations that can contribute to the emergence of zoonotic diseases, which can disrupt global supply chains. Originality/value – Framing is important because framing effects decisions. Moreover, erroneous framing can provide an enduring rationale for a failing course of action, such as industrialization that exceeds planetary boundaries. Here, to better situate logistics in human development within planetary boundaries, a new framing of logistics is explained that encompasses biosocial–technical interactions.