Time and place
- Trial Lecture at 10.15 - 11.00 in room B-137
- Defence starts at 12.15 in room B-137
Trial lecture title
“Challenges and successes of past and current crowdsourcing operations for e-commerce deliveries in Europe”
Supervisors
- Primary supervisor, Professor Edoardo Marcucci, Molde University College
- Secondary supervisor, Professor Lisa Hansson, Molde University College
- Secondary Supervisor, Professor II Valerio Gatta, Molde University College
Adjudication committee
- 1st opponent: Laetitia Dablanc, Professor, University Gustave Eiffel, Paris, France
- 2nd opponent: Ivan Sanchez-Diaz, Associate Professor, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
- 3rd opponent and administrator Deodat Edward Mwesiumo, Professor, Molde University College
Chair of Defence
Professor Harald M. Hjelle Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College
Summary
The main objective in the doctoral thesis was to study new innovative solutions for urban freight transport. I then focused on crowdshipping – a practical system where ordinary people deliver groceries ordered online during their normal daily trips instead of relying only on dedicated delivery vans.
I examined e-grocery services in cities and looked at what businesses need to make it work, how customers choose online shopping or decide to become crowdshippers themselves, and the real effects on traffic and the environment. Using customer surveys and simple computer models that simulate people’s choices, I tested different delivery setups before and during the COVID-19 period.
The research showed realistic ways to reduce the number of delivery vehicles, while keeping service fast and reliable. My findings offer clear, practical advice for making urban grocery deliveries both cheaper and greener.
Background
The background for my doctoral thesis is the rapid growth of cities and the sharp rise in e-commerce, especially online grocery shopping. Chapter 2 shows how this has increased congestion, costs and emissions in urban freight transport. These challenges, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, motivated me to study crowdshipping as an innovative solution, using people’s everyday trips for deliveries.
Impact
In academia, my research advances urban logistics by connecting business needs, consumer behaviour and operational performance through behavioural modelling. In a wider context, it helps reduce congestion and emissions from deliveries, while supporting e-commerce growth. It provides practical recommendations for companies and policymakers to develop more sustainable and liveable cities.
Carla de Oliveira Leite Nascimento (33) comes from Belo Horizonte in Brazil. She holds a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, obtained in 2016. She also holds a Master in Business Administration, from the same university, obtained in 2018 and finally a Master of Transport Engineering from Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, obtained in 2019. Her doctoral work has been financed by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 861598. and by Molde University College.