The moderating effect of technological adoption on route optimization and sustainable environmental performance of truck operators in Tanzania

Route optimization is regarded as a strategic emission reduction practice in freight transport, but its contribution to sustainable environmental performance in developing economies and the accelerating impact of digital technology are understudied. This study fills that gap empirically with Tanzanian truck operators based on the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) theory. Across 170 trucking operating firms, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in SmartPLS 4 with covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM). In this way, it tested the direct effect of route optimization on sustainable environmental performance as well as the moderating effect of technology adoption (GPS, IoT). Statistically, the results show that route optimization improves sustainable environmental performance (β = 0.229, p = 0.007). In addition to this effect (β = 0.621, p = 0.017), technology adoption confirms that the fuel savings as well as emission reductions of optimized routing are augmented by digital tools. Theoretically, the study builds on NRBV theory and green logistics practices, as it shows how pollution prevention capability via route optimization in combination with digital resources leads to sustainability outcomes. In practice, it shapes environmental policy and sustainable transport in Tanzania by pushing policymakers & industry to adopt technology for cleaner and more efficient freight operations.