Behaviour of Prosumers in Last-mile Logistics: The Case of Crowdshipping

This dissertation addresses consumer decisions in last-mile logistics, with a particular focus on the emerging concept of crowdshipping. By conceptualising consumers as both users and service providers of logistics services referred to as “prosumers”, this research examines how their dual role influences the efficiency and sustainability of last-mile delivery systems. Through a combination of defining a conceptual framework, empirical analyses, and a simulation study, this work investigates key aspects of crowdshipping and the role of prosumers in supply and demand perspectives.

The dissertation is structured around a main research question: How does prosumer decision-making within crowdshipping impact the performance and sustainability of last-mile delivery systems? To answer this overarching question, the research investigates several key aspects of consumer behaviour, specifically focusing on how consumers make decisions within hyperconnected delivery networks and their evolving role as active participants in crowdshipping…