Narrow Results

With over 90% of the world’s goods relying on the maritime industry for transport, the digitalization of the maritime supply chain and logistics is greatly due. The real-world utility of blockchain technologies is hardly a subject of concern today, even in Africa. The application and success stories are evident in key economic sectors with the digitalization of payments as a predominant example. Although classical maritime logistics has a poor end-to-end supply chain integration, digitalization of shipping operations leads to the creation of new and innovative business models capable of generating real values across the global value chain. While several studies have been done on digitalization with a focus on technologies of digitalization and the manufacturing industry, maritime supply chain issues in emerging economies such as Africa are yet to get much attention. This study, therefore, expounds on the challenges and opportunities of blockchain adoption in the African maritime industry.

This chapter enriches readers’ understanding regarding the significance of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) within the context of the warehousing and distribution industry. It offers insights into the evolving growth trends of AMRs, the current state of academic research on this technology, and real-world applications of AMRs in the logistics sector. Additionally, the chapter thoroughly discusses the challenges associated with AMR adoption and proposes a mid-range theory to facilitate their integration within the facilities. In sum, this chapter provides valuable insights for academics and practitioners alike who are eager to explore the adoption of AMRs within the warehousing and distribution industry.