Leveraging Business Intelligence for Sustainable Operations: An Operations Research Perspective in Logistics 4.0

This study explores the strategic integration of Business Intelligence (BI) and Operations Research (OR) as a dual enabler of sustainability within the evolving framework of Logistics 4.0. As logistics systems face mounting pressures from environmental regulations, digital transformation, and stakeholder expectations, the intersection of data analytics and optimization emerges as a critical lever for sustainable operations. Grounded in a Delphi-based case study conducted in a digitally mature Portuguese logistics firm operating across the Iberian Peninsula, this research captures expert consensus across five dimensions of BI implementation: data infrastructure, real-time decision-making, operational transparency, stakeholder coordination, and sustainability performance monitoring. Methodologically, the study employed two iterative Delphi rounds with 61 cross-functional professionals directly engaged with the organization’s BI systems, particularly Microsoft Power BI. The findings reveal that BI, when informed by OR models, enhances organizational capacity for proactive scenario planning, carbon footprint reduction, and ESG-aligned decision-making. The results also underscore the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, data governance maturity, and user training in fully leveraging BI for sustainable value creation. By offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance, this study contributes to the emerging discourse on data-driven sustainability in logistics. It provides actionable implications for logistics managers, sustainability strategists, and policymakers aiming to operationalize digital sustainability and embed intelligence-led approaches into resilient, low-carbon supply chains.