The Impact of Digital Transformation on Logistics: The Silicon Economy in The Context of Open-Source Platforms

Digital transformation not only improves existing processes but also fundamentally reshapes business practices and competitive dynamics. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is anticipated that logistics and supply chain management will gain an entirely new dimension through sensors, digital networks, and advanced automation systems. The acceleration of this transformation is increasingly driven by the role of open-source technologies. Open-source software and platforms accelerate companies’ innovation processes while reducing costs, and at the same time facilitate the sharing of knowledge and technology across different industries. In this context, the German government’s “Silicon Economy” (SE) project aims to build an open-source-based ecosystem in the field of logistics and supply chain management, enabling companies to advance their digitalization processes through common standards and interoperable solutions. SE is a digital ecosystem that allows the distribution, planning, control, and monitoring of material flows in the logistics sector, making possible new digital business models for logistics. The purpose of this study is to provide a conceptual review of digital transformation, open-source technologies, and the SE within a holistic framework, particularly in the field of logistics. By examining the relationship between usage of open-source and the logistics sector in the context of SE, the study offers a new perspective for both academic and industry stakeholders. At both international and national levels, the number of articles, reports, and datasets published about the project remains limited. Therefore, this study constitutes an important preliminary step toward a better understanding of the subject and its potential adaptation to different country contexts.