France Supply Chain and AIRL-SCM Announce the Winners of the 2026 Best Articles in Sustainable Supply Chain Award
Two research projects recognized for their contributions to sustainable urban logistics and diversity in supply chain management
France Supply Chain by Aslog, in partnership with the International Association for Research in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (AIRL-SCM), announces the winners of the fourth edition of the Best Articles in Sustainable Supply Chain Award, organized as part of the Supply Chain 4 Good Fund. Each year, this award recognizes scientific work whose findings contribute to improving sustainable supply chain practices by bridging the gap between research and the operational challenges faced by businesses and public policy.
For the 2026 edition, the jury awarded:
- The 2026 Best Article in Sustainable Supply Chain Award goes to Hugo de Tarragon and Christina Theodoraki for their paper“Unraveling the Urban Ecosystem: An Ethnographic Study of Logistics Service Providers.”
- The "Coup de cœur" Award for the article “Do Gender Differences Exist in the Collaborative and Innovative Mindset of Supply Managers?”
The 2026 Award Recognizes Research on Sustainable Urban Logistics
Published in October 2024 in the *Journal of Supply Chain Management*, the article “Unraveling the Urban Ecosystem: An Ethnographic Study of Logistics Service Providers” was authored by Hugo de Tarragon, Christina Theodoraki, Marie Hlady-Rispal, and Gilles Casteran.
Drawing on ethnographic research conducted among logistics service providers, the authors analyze the trade-offs made between economic performance and sustainability goals in urban environments. Their work offers an interpretation of urban logistics as a sub-ecosystem integrated into the city’s ecosystem. They show that the sustainability of logistics flows depends on interactions among economic, institutional, and urban actors.
Beyond its academic contribution, this research highlights the role of logistics in the functioning of cities and the quality of life of their residents.
Citation: de Tarragon, H., Theodoraki, C., Hlady-Rispal, M., & Casteran, G. (2024). Unraveling the Urban Ecosystem: An Ethnographic Study of Logistics Service Providers. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 60(4), 75–91.
Hugo de Tarragon holds a Ph.D. in Management Science and is a postdoctoral researcher at CREOP (IAE Limoges).
From left to right: Karine Samuel, current president of AIRL-SCM; Hugo de Tarragon; Françoise Lieuré, project director at FSC; and Vincent Hovelaque, new president of AIRL-SCM
A "Coup de Cœur" Award Dedicated to Diversity in Supply Chain Management
The jury also recognized the article “Do Gender Differences Exist in the Collaborative and Innovative Mindset of Supply Managers?” published in September 2025 in *Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal*.
This study, conducted by Romaric Servajean-Hilst (KEDGE Business School, i3-CRG École polytechnique – CNRS – Institut Polytechnique de Paris) and Salomée Ruel (EMLV Paris, SPP-CERIIM), examines the influence of gender on the collaboration and innovation capabilities of supply chain management professionals.
Based on a quantitative survey of 250 future procurement and supply chain managers, supplemented by a replication study involving experienced professionals, the research highlights significant differences, particularly with regard to an innovative mindset. The authors urge companies and educational institutions to incorporate these dimensions more fully into their management and training practices.
An award that bridges the gap between research and business
Created as part of the Supply Chain 4 Good Fund, the Best Articles in Sustainable Supply Chain Award has three objectives:
- Promote scientific research that contributes to a more sustainable supply chain.
- Encourage research that has an impact on business practices and public policy.
- Strengthen collaboration between researchers and industry stakeholders to accelerate the transition of supply chains.
A prize of 1,000 euros per winning entry
The 2026 Best Articles in Sustainable Supply Chain Award recognized the authors of the two winning papers. A prize of 1,000 euros was presented to the co-authors of each of the two articles during the dinner for the International Conference on Logistics Research (RIRL), held in Saint-Malo on May 28, 2026.
********************************
About France Supply Chain
About AIRL-SCM
France Supply Chain by Aslog is aprofessional associationthat brings together 450 companies of all sizes and from all sectors, as well as prestigious universities and training organizations, both in France and internationally. Its 6,000 members can draw ona powerful network of professionals, faculty members, and students to share ideas and experiences and find practical solutions.
Thisthink-and-do tankproduces about 15publicationsand leads approximately 100 collaborative projects each year, with a mission tostrengthen the strategic impact of the supply chainfor businesses while contributing to amore sustainable future.
Since January 2025, the public interest activities of the France SUPPLY CHAIN by Aslog association have been supported by the SUPPLY CHAIN 4 GOOD endowment fund, starting with initiatives aimedat decarbonization and the sustainability of our supply chains.
The International Association for Research in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (AIRL-SCM) brings together the French-speaking and international academic community to advance research in logistics and supply chain management. It fosters exchanges between researchers and practitioners and contributes to the dissemination of knowledge in these fields. https://www.airl-scm.com/
Press contact: Marie-Laure Laville -MLD Consulting - Tel: +33 (0)6 18 14 85 36 - Email : mllaville@mldconsulting.fr
