The global maritime industry, a critical pillar of international trade, continues to face persistent challenges in ensuring the integrity, security, and transparency of containerized cargo data, particularly during ocean transport. Traditional container tracking systems at sea often lack the reliability and resilience required to prevent data tampering, cyber threats, and operational inefficiencies. As supply chains become more complex and interconnected, the demand for robust, end-to-end data security solutions becomes more pressing. A promising technological advancement in this area is the convergence of smart containers, equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for real-time condition monitoring, and blockchain technology (BCT) for secure data validation. These IoT devices facilitate continuous tracking of critical parameters such as location, temperature, humidity, tilt, and the like. However, the data they generate remains vulnerable to cyberattacks, signal disruptions, and unauthorized alterations. Blockchain’s decentralized and tamper-evident architecture addresses these vulnerabilities by enabling secure data immutability, transparent audit trails, and enhanced stakeholder trust. Despite its potential, the practical integration of blockchain with smart container systems in maritime logistics remains largely underexplored. To bridge this gap, this paper proposes a blockchain-enabled smart container monitoring system that combines container real-time data with secure physical tracking. Furthermore, to ensure scalability and efficient in data storage, hybrid on/off-chain architecture is introduced, balancing blockchain integrity with performance and resource optimization.

Since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the world experienced very low interest rates for more than a decade. This favored less efficient inventory management practices. The coronavirus era, along with the rise of military conflicts in recent years, has further affected prices, availability, deliveries, and sources of supplies. In this study, we analyze Swedish publicly traded manufacturing companies during this period. Inventory efficiencies decline gradually in the era of low interest rates and accelerate to do so since the dawn of the coronavirus crisis. Some improvements were detected in the last observation year. However, in terms of the absolute monetary amount and share of assets, inventories have substantially increased since 2021. Cash (liquid assets) held in assets has not changed much during the observation period, showing only a spike at the start of the coronavirus era. Companies seem to favor lower inventory efficiency systems without a higher emphasis on cash.

This research concerns how cross-functional integration can support a project management office (PMO) in achieving its goals in the execution of investment projects. A case study was accomplished in a large state-owned Brazilian enterprise that produces and transmits electric power. The results showed several factors that generate cross-functional integration, such as communication and group spirit support. These factors can generate the following impacts: enhanced control over process development; effectiveness of processes/projects; and standardisation of processes. Research also conceptualised the role of integration inhibitors that end up negatively influencing the joint performance of functional areas, decreasing the support that cross-function integration provides for the operation of a PMO. Moreover, another concept of cross-functional integration that emerged from the case is related to controversies that are integration initiatives generating positive results in parts of the process, but generate dysfunctions in other hierarchical levels or stages of the process.

As the focus on climate action and sustainable development of the shipping industry intensifies, the maritime sector has intensified its focus on decarbonization. Although the ferry sector accounts for a small part of the global fleet, it plays a crucial role in specific regions. This study examines data from an energy monitoring system installed on a double-ended Estonian ferry over the period from 2022 to 2024. The empirical results clearly show that targeted adjustments can lead to substantial fuel consumption reductions as the optimal operation of the vessel requires equal power from the aft and fore engines particularly when operating under cold or icy conditions. Additionally, the research finds that real-time energy monitoring together with integrating environmental factors supports energy efficiency and fulfilling regulatory requirements. The analysis reveals that environmental corrections and balanced decision-making can generate fuel savings and extended emission reductions. The suggested framework offers ferry operators practical and economical ways of meeting sustainability requirements.

Due to increasing emission reduction requirements and higher energy prices, manufacturing companies have started to pay attention to the energy efficiency of supply chains, instead of focusing solely on operations. As emission reduction and energy efficiency often share the same objectives, these are frequently addressed together in earlier research. The aim of this research is to examine, through a survey, the level of energy efficiency work conducted by manufacturers with suppliers, and the drivers behind such activities. Based on survey findings completed in 2024, Swedish manufacturers are taking initial steps in energy efficiency work along with suppliers. Typically, suppliers are asked to provide energy use information and analyses. Top management support is the most important driver for this work, followed by a company’s environmental profile, production cost reduction, and an emphasis on Scope 3 emission reduction. There is also some evidence that companies with the public sector as their main customer are more active in energy efficiency work with suppliers.

Modern societies struggle with environmental sustainability and are trying to adopt new ways of existing that are maintainable over time. Extensive developments have already been made, but the capability to utilise these advancements has become a central question. This study examines environmental sustainability capabilities in transportation, logistics and supply chains. The related academic literature from 2005 to 2023 is analysed with a systematic approach. The literature search resulted in 139 documents. An overall perspective on the topic is produced by qualitatively analysing the documents. Environmental sustainability efforts in transportation, logistics and supply chains focus on introducing new technologies, operational models, and management approaches. Implementing these requires capabilities from the organisations for efficient utilisation. The focus is shifting gradually from establishing challenges to solving these. The studied topic is still maturing in terms of employed study approaches and growing in popularity. Additional empirical research is needed to test the produced theories.

In the recent years there has been an increased interest towards relocating manufacturing back to Europe. Consequently, it becomes important to develop evaluation models of manufacturing location. We use secondary data to establish model for European Union 27 (EU-27) countries. Findings reveal in pairwise model comparison, that larger European countries seem to be the best locations in general (France, Germany, Italy, and Spain), however, few smaller countries perform high as well (like Ireland, Sweden, Luxemburg and Finland). In general, small member countries have the lowest performance. Typically, these are weak in population and severance pay terms. Lower-performing countries often also miss the larger role of medical and pharmaceutical industry within exports. Results were compared to classical rank-based evaluation. We did find some differences, and it could be said that larger countries lost their higher status, but Ireland and Sweden were still in highest ranks.

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the dynamics of manufacturing reshoring in Nordic countries by identifying the drivers, barriers and enablers influencing the decisions.

Design/methodology/approach – Grounded in in-depth interviews with 16 Swedish manufacturing firms, this research uses the eclectic paradigm as its theoretical framework.

Findings – This research reveals 65 drivers, 32 barriers and 38 enablers for manufacturers to bring manufacturing back. The primary drivers include total cost, product quality, controllability and flexibility in production. Prominent barriers are labour resources, facilities and equipment, labour, overhead and total costs .Key enablers include manufacturing capacity, labour resources, know-how and intellectual property, infrastructure and automation level.

Research limitations/implications – This research demonstrates how a single decision factor can manifest as a driver, barrier or enabler depending on specific scenarios, adding nuance to the existing reshoring literature. By applying the eclectic paradigm, this research reinforces the applicability of the theory in manufacturing location decision research and integrates factor perspectives with strategic-seeking categories.It refines and encourages the use of the eclectic paradigm.

Practical implications – The research offers practical implications for policymakers, industry leaders and researchers seeking to understand Nordic industrial dynamics. Insights provide guidance for industry leaders in strategic decision-making and navigate policymakers’ design measures to support industrial competitiveness in the Nordic region

This research explores key factors motivating, impeding, and facilitating current and future manufacturing reshoring decisions through the lens of the Eclectic Paradigm. Based on twelve structured interviews with Swedish industrial experts and scholars, we identified key current reshoring drivers such as cost reduction, quality improvement, and shorter time to market, while skill and qualified labour shortages and competencies act as barriers. Enablers such as automation, research and development (R&D), and production flexibility support successful reshoring. Looking ahead, sustainability and evolving regulations are emerging as future influencers for reshoring. This research links drivers, barriers, and enablers to four types of advantage-seeking strategies, thus offering a comprehensive view that integrates practical guidance for managers in making informed decisions while advancing theoretical understanding of reshoring dynamics.

New technologies and vehicle types have become available for transportation and logistics in the recent decade. One of the such is Ground Effect Vehicle (GEV), which in new reinvented form is using electric propulsion, new lighter materials and could be without onboard pilots. These could be used in coastal and archipelago types of areas, where distances are relatively short. In this research is introduced economic and business case evaluation of GEV in the context of Canary Islands. Aim is to build understanding from financial success of GEV. Simulation model incorporates number of uncertainties, like usage life-cycle of fleet, fleet investment cost, interest rates, lower cargo volume development in the early years and possibility for passenger transports. Analysis shows that success depends quite much on cargo pricing, and the interest of customers to pay premiums from faster delivery. Being operator of GEV offers possibility for profitability, but if most of uncertainties take place, then investments might increase too much and result on significant losses. Research provides added value on discipline development and better alternative on spreadsheet and cost focused models.