Dhawan, K; Tookey, J; Fredriksson, A and Tetik, M (2026) Decarbonising construction logistics: The role of supplier-led distribution and integrated warehousing. Construction Innovation, 26(9), pp. 21-48. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose – This study aims to examine how supplier-led distribution and integrated warehousing enhance transport efficiency and reduce embodied carbon in construction logistics. Focusing on plasterboard delivery in Auckland's linear urban context, it examines how early supplier engagement and forward-stocking can reconfigure logistics operations to address spatial and operational challenges, decarbonising the construction supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – This case-based analysis uses empirical data from supplier-managed plasterboard distribution in Auckland to assess how logistics reconfiguration – supplier-led deliveries and integrated warehousing – impacts transport efficiency and carbon embodiment. Carbon outcomes are quantified using Environmental Product Declarations and New Zealand freight emissions benchmarks, with application of spatial analysis and supply chain modelling to evaluate the impacts of forward-stocking and supplier engagement on fragmented construction logistics. Findings – The study finds that supplier-led distribution, integrated warehousing and forward-stocking significantly enhance transport efficiency by consolidating deliveries and reducing vehicle movements, resulting in measurable embodied carbon reductions. It underscores the importance of early supplier engagement and spatially responsive logistics planning in addressing urban sprawl, demonstrating that reconfigured supply chains offer both operational and environmental benefits towards construction sector decarbonisation. Originality/value – The paper analyses the interplay of distribution, transport and warehousing in linear sprawl, proposing an integrated transport-driven warehousing model. It demonstrates improved efficiency through supplier-centric distribution and challenges status-quo transport life cycle assessment, typically overlooked due to data availability constraints. Theoretically, it extends employment of operations research, limited to manufacturing and freight transport, in construction as a defragmentation enabler. It also argues for municipalities to require logistics plans, to bridge policy-practice gaps.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction decarbonisation; construction transport; embodied carbon; integrated warehousing; logistics sprawl; urban distribution |
| Index terms: | modelling, construction logistics, construction supply chain, employment, New Zealand, efficiency, municipality, construction sector, logistics planning, operations research, reconfiguration, methodology, life cycle assessment, urban sprawl, movement, embodied carbon |
| Subjects: | administrative law, industry analysis, performance management, management, design methods, construction logistics, Geography, research methods, urban form and morphology, analytical methods, logistics planning, health behaviours and lifestyles, environmental impact, organization |
| Topics: | Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Legal Issues, Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Urban Studies, Design Practice, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here