Digital twins in logistics: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis for advancing smart cities and sustainable development

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the evolving research landscape of digital twins (DTs) in logistics. It investigates emerging technological and operational trends, examines how DT applications vary across different implementation scales, and assesses the alignment of current research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Methodology

A systematic bibliometric analysis was conducted on a curated dataset of 389 publications from the Scopus database (2017–2025). 2017 is effectively when digital twin research in logistics began to proliferate. The methodology integrates citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence mapping, and thematic clustering to identify the intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and collaborative patterns within the field.

Originality/value

This paper's originality is threefold. First, it offers a more robust justification for digitalisation by mapping the complex pressures driving DT adoption. Second, it introduces a novel scale-based taxonomy (object, infrastructure, system) that provides a new framework for classifying and understanding the maturity of DT applications in logistics. Third, unlike previous reviews, it systematically connects the functions and impacts of DTs to specific SDGs, thereby bridging a critical gap between technological innovation and sustainability governance.

Findings

The analysis reveals a rapid maturation of the field, with research shifting from a narrow focus on simulation toward broader themes of sustainability, resilience, and AI-driven optimisation. Key findings indicate a significant gap between the conceptual potential of DTs and their practical implementation, particularly concerning system-level integration and data interoperability. While DT applications show a strong conceptual alignment with SDG 9 (Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), there is a notable lack of empirical evidence and quantifiable metrics to validate their real-world sustainability impacts.

Implications

The findings provide strategic insights for managers and policymakers to guide the adoption of DTs for enhanced operational efficiency and sustainability. For academics, this study clarifies the current state of knowledge, highlights critical research gaps, such as the need for quantitative impact assessments and cross-sectoral studies, and proposes future research directions focused on developing integrated frameworks for digital sustainability governance in logistics.