Automation and real-time tracking (IOT, RFID, and blockchain) in logistics management: a review of technological evolution and the impact on operational performance

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the technological evolution and the impact of integrating intelligent automation systems, based on the Internet of Things (IoT), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and Blockchain, on the operational performance of logistics management. The research is characterized as an integrative literature review of a qualitative and exploratory nature, grounded in the analysis of twenty scientific articles published between 2015 and 2025. The searches were conducted in the Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, and MDPI databases, all recognized for indexing peer-reviewed and internationally relevant journals. The results showed that the combination of IoT, RFID, and Blockchain has played a decisive role in the digital transformation of logistics processes, promoting significant improvements in efficiency, traceability, and data integration. IoT proved essential for real-time data collection and communication; RFID stood out for automation and operational accuracy; and Blockchain emerged as an integrating element, ensuring transparency and reliability in transactions. Despite the observed benefits, challenges remain related to interoperability, technical standardization, implementation costs, and cybersecurity. It is concluded that the integration of these technologies represents a milestone in the modernization of logistics management, establishing itself as a strategic factor for increasing organizational competitiveness and resilience in the era of digital transformation.