Structural Factors and Disruptions in International Logistics: A Systematic Review on Global Business Continuity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i2.896Keywords:
International logistics, Operational continuity, Supply chains, Governance, Resilience, DigitalizationAbstract
The increasing disruptions to international logistics are jeopardizing the operational continuity of global trade and highlighting structural vulnerabilities in supply chains. However, the specialized literature continues to address these factors in a fragmented manner, with a predominance of studies focused on developed economies. In this context, the present research analyzes the structural factors that condition international logistics and their impact on the operational continuity of global trade through a systematic review of the state of the art for the period 2018–2024. Methodologically, the PRISMA 2020 protocol was applied to the Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and eLibro databases, selecting 50 articles using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subsequently, binary thematic coding was implemented with inter-coder reliability assessment using Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ = 0.81–0.88) and theoretical triangulation to strengthen the qualitative consistency of the analysis. The results identified five main structural factors: operational resilience (51.14%), logistics governance (27.27%), uneven digitalization (12.50%), fragmented sustainability (4.55%), and port concentration (4.55%). Furthermore, the most frequent impacts on operational continuity were prolonged disruptions (50.79%) and increased logistics costs (33.33%). Only 12% of the studies analyzed three or more factors in an integrated manner, highlighting persistent theoretical fragmentation in the field. It is concluded that logistics vulnerabilities stem from interdependent structural factors and not solely from isolated operational failures, demonstrating the need for integrated approaches focused on resilience, governance, and digital transformation.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rafael Emiliano Apolinario Quintana , Martha Graciela Rodríguez Donoso , Mónica Anabell Caicedo Leones , Jacqueline Oberliza Viera Rodríguez , Humberto Pedro Segarra Jaime
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