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Logistics is most often associated with the most visible jobs, the performance of which was or still is physically demanding or exhausting (driving long distances, reloading of goods, etc.). That is why these jobs, and even the entire field of logistics, are often associated with the male workforce that most often performs them. However, with the evolution of logistics and its scientific study, a more comprehensive overview of the field, including the role and importance of the female workforce for the implementation of logistics processes, is reached. Despite this, there is still a significant gap between the wishes, perceptions, and projections of gender equality of educated logisticians about the existing practice. This paper discusses the state of gender equality and the roles of men and women in logistics from the perspective of the future and existing workforce.

Rail transport (RT) has a significant share in intermodal chains, so intermodal transport (IT) quality largely depends on RT services' quality. On the other side, the quality of these services depends on many infrastructural-technological, organizational and regulatory-institutional factors. The impact of these factors on the service quality and IT is not easy to precisely quantify. Fuzzy systems are a suitable mathematical tool for solving this task, considering that they provide the possibility of imprecise evaluation of variables. In this paper, a fuzzy system-based model for evaluating the impact of RT services' quality on IT quality is defined. Applying it to the example of Serbia, it was established that this influence in this country is neutral/dual.

Defining and the application of sustainable city logistics concepts is a prerequisite for achieving sustainability in urban areas. The scientific literature is abundant with research that highlights individual technologies, initiatives, measures and approaches as indispensable elements of sustainable concepts. Although a relatively large set of city logistics concepts is analyzed in the literature, there is no generally accepted set of guidelines for defining sustainable city logistics concepts. This article tries to fill that literature gap. The main contribution of this article is, on basis of the review of relevant literature in the field, to demonstrate how potentially sustainable city logistics concepts could be conceptualized by combining different building elements (technologies, initiatives, measures, and approaches).

Market needs and demands are contingent upon continuous work on finding better, faster, more efficient and more economic systems of goods flow. The intention is to optimize the logistic processes along the supply chain in terms of achieving economic, temporal, spatial and environmental improvements. One of the possible methods to improve the efficiency of supply chains is the introduction of the cross-docking (CD) concept. The essence of the CD concept is reflected in the consolidation of goods flows into the CD terminals with little or no storage of goods. The objective is to achieve optimization of time, space and costs. This paper presents the role of the CD concept in logistics chains, description of the CD terminals, and then the advantages and disadvantages of their application. The primary objective of this paper is to present the role, advantages and disadvantages of implementing the CD concept in logistics chains

The sustainability of urban areas is for decades a controversial point in the issues of sustainable development. Inefficient realization of logistics activities in urban areas results in numerous negative effects on sustainability. Especially unsustainable consequences are those of the dominant road transportation role in urban goods delivery. Achieving sustainability at a micro-level is possible only with the planning of city logistics (CL) systems through the development of different logistics centres categories, flow consolidation, cooperation, and intensive application of alternative transportation modes. The planning of CL systems is a complex task that involves several stakeholders with complex interrelationships and conflicting goals. This article indicates the importance of CL planning in achieving local, micro sustainability. Main stakeholders, criteria, and CL concepts are described in the article. In accordance with the existing literature in the field, new technologies, and approaches, seven potentially sustainable CL concepts are defined.

The realization of a series of logistics activities, as support for goods flows, can result in serious negative consequences on sustainability if they are not planned properly. Road transportation's dominant role in existing logistics systems has serious unsustainable effects on the society and environment. The only way in achieving regional sustainability of logistics systems is in the utilization of alternative transportation modes through the application of intermodal transportation (IT). The planning of IT systems is a complex task that consists of determining the appropriate structure of the network, identification of efficient IT terminal types, their number, location, and role in the system, defining connections between terminals, etc. All that is preceded by the selection of the system development scenario. This article indicates the significance of IT in achieving sustainability at a macro-level. The Dry Port (DP) concept is highlighted as an instrument of achieving sustainable IT system development. Six potentially sustainable development directions of IT systems through the concept of DP are defined and explained.

The past few decades have seen steady progress for women in the logistics sector. However, women are still an underused resource. Although companies and institutions that define progress in the field of women's leadership as one of the business priorities are very rare, there are more and more of those who develop, promote and sponsor women in logistics. Despite the many qualities that give an advantage, on the way to success, women still face many obstacles. It is not just about systemic problems, bias in the employment and promotion system, life priorities and cultural patterns, women generally need more self-confidence to lead. In order to eliminate the problem, better use the potential and raise the leadership of women in logistics, and on the basis of world experiences and inspiration encouraged by works from five centuries ago, an initiative was created to establish a regional association of women in logistics. The tasks of the association would be to launch and coordinate various initiatives aimed at the development and promotion of women in logistics. This paper describes the goals and some of the basic principles of the association, such as: promotion of areas, free access for all interested parties, comprehensiveness, integration, continuous improvement, creation of synergy effects, etc.

Logistics flows in urban areas are generated by systems engaged in various business. Flows generators can be divided into typical logistics systems (logistics, distribution centers, freight terminals, logistics systems of companies, etc.), for which logistics is the core business, and other generators of city logistics (trade, hospitality, craft, service facilities etc.). These two categories of generators differ in terms of flow volume, location, infrastructure, surrounding conditions, form of goods, logistics units and consolidation system, logistics demands, goods handling, etc. In this paper, the basic differences between typical logistics systems and other generators of city logistics are analyzed, thus achieving the basic goal and contribution of paper.

The paper presents the procedure for selecting a scenario for the development of the logistics system in a company with a developed trading and logistics network, but also with the significant supply problems. In order to solve the existing logistics problems, but also to respond to future requirements and business plans, four logistics system development scenarios are defined. Each scenario has certain characteristics which can be seen as the advantages or disadvantages in the comparative analysis. Since the choice of development scenarios depends on several factors, their ranking in terms of different criteria requires the application of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. A hybrid model based on a combination of the fuzzy AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) and fuzzy VIKOR (Višekriterijumska Optimizacija i kompromisno Rešenje) methods was used to solve the problem.

The development of logistics infrastructure in Serbia is the key to achieving regional competitiveness and economic prosperity of the state. Intermodal terminals have great significance in logistics networks and their development enables the implementation of intermodal transport technologies as well as participation in international goods flows. Belgrade, the national and regional economic centre and an important traffic node, attracts significant intermodal, container flows. For this reason, it represents a location for the development of an intermodal terminal that would play an important role in the logistics network of Serbia and the region as well. This paper analyses the financial justification of the development of an intermodal terminal in Belgrade, based upon four parameters - net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), benefit-cost ratio (B/C) and investment return period (RP). Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of the observed parameters regarding the change of input parameter values (the volume of intermodal, container flows and the service price levels) is conducted. Two project funding scenarios are defined according to the involvement of the private sector in overall investments. The result analysis indicates that in both of the scenarios, the development of an intermodal terminal in Belgrade would be financially justified. The sensitivity analysis has shown that the financial justification of the development of the observed intermodal terminal is more sensitive to the change in container flow volumes in comparison with the change in terminal service price levels.

A household, as a significant generator of logistics flows, can be viewed as an entity with input, output and internal flows and mutually dependent attributes describing it (function/activity, location, ordering and supply systems, size and frequency of delivery, etc.). Affiliation with an urban, suburban or rural area has a particularly significant impact on the characteristics of the logistics flows of the household. In addition, the structure of logistics flows depends on the functions of the household, changes in the environment, interactions of the household with other generators of logistics flows, as well as the role of the household and its resources in the supply chains. Effective management of household logistics requires serious research into the complex flows structure and their interaction with household attributes and changing environmental conditions. This paper presents the basic attributes of the household as a generator of logistics demands, describes various interactions with the environment, and structures household logistics flows. In addition, the basic characteristics of each category of logistics flows are presented.

Logistics, as a scientific and engineering field, and women, with specific intellectual, scientific and research affinities, are attracted. The attractiveness of woman and logistics in this paper is analyzed through the concept of philosophical thinking about feeling of the beautiful and sublime. The logistics chain is an extremely complex system that includes a large number of different elements, activities, participants. There are different, most often conflicting goals, and the optimization of the logistics chain is inseparable from the optimization of logistics systems as carriers of its realization. The simultaneous and comprehensive optimization of all the links in the logistics chain is the goal, challenge, motive and need. Solving these problems requires different virtues, knowledge, skills. The goal is beauty, a harmonious realization of flows with all the characteristics of variability, randomness. On the other hand, true virtue is exalted, and women possess true virtues. Women, as architects of logistics chains, find the best combinations of characteristics of logistics processes and systems. In addition to the sublime, women tend to beautiful, and the power of beauty in the sublime creates a new dimension of virtue. In addition to the theoretical analysis of the relationship between women and logistics, the paper presents data on education, participation and status of women logistics engineers in the world and in Serbia.

In logistic processes and systems, there are sets of a large number of different units - products, articles. In order to facilitate, quickly and reliably identify and find the unit, there is a need for their labeling and coding. Articles move in time and space, go through different systems and procedures, so their monitoring and management is inconceivable without complex algorithms and logistic processes management systems, which are most often supported by modern IT technologies. On the other side, the application of information systems, and hence the efficiency and effectiveness of logistics processes and systems, depends on the coding system. This paper presents the problems and principles of defining a unique coding system for products and their impact on logistics processes and systems.

Intermodal transport represents a key element in economic system of the developed countries, but its importance is growing in the developing countries as well. Since cost reduction, improvement of service quality and sustainable development are objectives of the European Union, intermodal transport promotion became an essential constituent of its development plans. However, efficient development requires engagement of all members and harmonization of national policies with those of EU, which often is not the case. There are differences among countries regarding intermodal transport treatment in strategic development plans. The mentioned differences are analyzed in this paper in order to obtain guidelines and successful practice models that will help the developing countries in catching up with the developed ones. The biggest problems in the plans of the developing countries are: undefined objectives, interventions and poor institutional framework. Experience and problem solving approaches, established institutions and bodies, as well as a way of dealing with concerned mater in the developed countries should help intermodal transport improvement in the developing countries and hence enable growth of European competitiveness at global level.

Changes in economic and social environments are more dynamic, and survival in the market requires a wide range, increase efficiency and quality of logistics services. The competitiveness of the region and the city, as the leader of economic development, depends on the efficiency of logistics solutions that must be adaptive to new conditions and demands of the market. This paper presents some of the most important global trends in terms of impact on the urban logistics. In order to define sustainable solutions, the analysis of presented social, economic, technological, environmental and other trends should be integral part of the city logistics planning and management.

The main objective of city logistics system is sustainability, or efficiency, wide acceptability, environmental protection and safety. On the other hand, the city logistics system is very complex. It is characterized by a large number of participants, with different, usually conflicting goals and complex interactions. In addition, the system of city logistics is part of a wider system of the town, the region, and there are complex interactions with the external environment. The system depends on the specific characteristics of the city, affects other forms of urban mobility and is subject to the policies of higher rank (regional, national policy). Given the exceptional complexity, sustainable city logistics solution requires an integrated approach in all phases of planning, from stages of problem identification, definition of alternative solutions and effects assessment, to implementation and by exploitation. In this way, the solution of city logistics is becoming widely accepted and not only affects the efficiency of the socio-economic system of town, already on the sustainability of the whole region.

Urban logistics systems are intensively changing and adapting to the demands of efficient supply and environmental protection. The productivity and profitability of companies and satisfaction of the resident's requirements in terms of the availability of various goods at lower prices, depends on the efficiency of the urban logistics system. On the other side, the level of interest in the environment is growing and initiates researches and implementation of effective and sustainable initiatives, city logistics concepts. The most frequently applied initiatives are those that relate to the regulation or restrictions and control of access for the urban freight vehicles. However, these initiatives don't solve the problems of commodity flows and can worsen logistics performance. Furthermore, they have not proved effective in terms of the environment and economy. For this reason, the concepts that involve the cooperation of carriers and consolidation of flows are promoted. They are focused on logistics activities and can provide many positive effects for the purpose of environmental and economic sustainability. Nevertheless, they are rarely implemented in practice, and most were scarcely successful. Mentioned facts indicate the importance of research of these conceptions, both from the aspect of the structure and characteristics of the logistics system, and the aspect of the role and functions of the public sector in their promotion.

City is the place of the largest concentration of economic and social activities, and the delivery of goods is a prerequisite for the maintenance of urban life and business activities for achieving wealth and development of the city. Logistics systems and processes that enable the realization of commodity flows support employment and generate income, but may also have negative impacts on all essential functions of the city. Therefore, logistics plays an important role in the competitiveness of urban areas and should be an integral part of the city's economy. From the perspective of sustainable development, i.e. social, environmental and economic efficiency, logistics processes primarily urban freight transport, are far from optimal. The growth of road freight transport and traffic congestion, air pollution and other negative impacts on the environment, inefficient use of land and the rising costs of delivery of goods affect the definition and exploration of different initiatives of city logistics. This paper describes the initiatives that do not require large infrastructure investments and do not change the existing urban context, but can improve its sustainability.

City logistics is a field that attracts increasing attention of professionals and scientific community and international organizations. Research on problems of urban areas' logistics gives different results and practical solutions. City logistics flows are characterized by partiality, spatial dispersion of generators, diversity in terms of the logistics chains structure, frequency of a large number of smaller shipments, dynamism, stochasticity etc. Problems and the complexity of logistics in urban areas as well as significant decline in the quality of life in modern cities have caused the development of initiatives and concepts of city logistics which should allow the sustainable development of urban areas. The first part of this paper presents the problems of city logistics and impact of logistics activities on urban areas in terms of economic, environmental and social sustainability. The second part presents city logistics initiatives that involve the change of urban area context, in order to improve its sustainability.