The internetization of logistics: a comprehensive review of the physical internet

Abstract

he Physical Internet (PI) is an innovative approach that aims to enhance efficiency in logistics processes, optimize resource utilization, and support sustainable transportation. With the proliferation of digital transformation and Industry 4.0 applications, there has been a significant increase in academic studies on PI, particularly in developed countries. However, there is a notable absence of comprehensive studies that systematically address the concept of PI in the Turkish literature. This study was conducted to introduce the PI topic to the Turkish academic discourse and to analyze current research trends. A total of 266 academic publications published between 2011 and 2025 were identified through a Web of Science (WoS) database search using the keyword "physical internet" within the title and author keywords fields. The obtained data were analyzed using bibliometric methods via the Bibliometrix (RStudio-Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer software. The analysis revealed that the PI literature is predominantly concentrated in the field of Industrial Engineering. France emerged as the leading country in terms of both publication and citation counts. Benoît Montreuil was identified as the most prolific author, while Shenle Pan received the highest number of citations. Additionally, the International Journal of Production Research was found to be the most frequent publication outlet, and “PSL Research University” was the institution with the highest citation count. Keyword analysis showed strong associations between PI and concepts such as “logistics,” “sustainability,” “supply chain,” “transportation,” “Internet of Things,” “digitalization,” “blockchain,” “simulation,” and “routing.” Ultimately, the study aims to promote awareness of the PI concept among public and private sector decision-makers and academics, emphasizing its significant potential for national infrastructure development and economic sustainability. A comprehensive perspective on the subject is encouraged to support future academic and policy-oriented work.

Keywords

• Physical Internet
• Logistics
• Bibliometric Analysis
• Scientific Mapping
• Digital Transformation

Lojistiğin internetleşen hali: Fiziksel internet üzerine kapsamlı bir değerlendirme

Abstract

Fiziksel İnternet (Physical Internet, PI), lojistik süreçlerde verimliliği artırmayı, kaynak kullanımını optimize etmeyi ve sürdürülebilir taşımacılığı desteklemeyi hedefleyen yenilikçi bir yaklaşımdır. Dijital dönüşüm ve Endüstri 4.0 uygulamalarının yaygınlaşmasıyla birlikte, özellikle gelişmiş ülkelerde, PI üzerine yapılan akademik çalışmaların sayısında önemli bir artış yaşanmıştır. Ancak, PI kavramının Türkçe literatürde sistematik biçimde ele alındığı kapsamlı bir çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışma, PI konusunun Türkçe literatüre kazandırılması ve mevcut araştırma eğilimlerinin analiz edilmesi amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Web of Science (WoS) veri tabanında “physical internet” anahtar kelimesiyle, başlıklar ve yazar anahtar kelimeleri temel alınarak yapılan tarama sonucunda 2011–2025 yılları arasında yayımlanmış 266 akademik çalışma incelenmiştir. Elde edilen veriler, Bibliometrix (RStudio-Biblioshiny) ve VOSviewer yazılımları aracılığıyla bibliyometrik analiz yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Analizler sonucunda PI literatürünün büyük ölçüde Endüstri Mühendisliği alanında yoğunlaştığı, Fransa’nın en fazla yayın ve atıf alan ülke olarak öne çıktığı, en üretken yazarın Benoît Montreuil ve en çok atıf alan yazarın ise Shenle Pan olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, en fazla yayının International Journal of Production Research dergisinde yayımlandığı ve en çok atıf alan kurumun “PSL Research University” olduğu gözlenmiştir. Anahtar kelime analizinde ise “lojistik”, “sürdürülebilirlik”, “tedarik zinciri”, “ulaştırma”, “nesnelerin interneti”, “dijitalleşme”, “blokzincir”, “simülasyon” ve “rotalama” gibi kavramların PI ile güçlü ilişkiler kurduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, ülke altyapısı ve ekonomik sürdürülebilirlik açısından büyük potansiyele sahip PI yaklaşımının hem kamu hem de özel sektördeki karar vericilere ve akademisyenlere tanıtılması ve böylece konuya bütüncül bir bakış açısı kazandırılması amaçlanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Fiziksel internet
• Lojistik
• Bibliyometrik analiz
• Bilimsel haritalama
• Dijital dönüşüm

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