Malte Spanuth started as a PhD candidate and research assistant at KLU in November 2022 under the supervision of Prof. Dr. J. Rod Franklin, P.E. and Prof. Dr. André Ludwig. His research contributes to the “URBANE” project funded by the EU. He focuses on applying blockchain technology and smart contracts on the Physical Internet, a hyperconnected logistics concept, enabling close collaboration in urbane logistics operations.
Prior to joining the PhD program, Malte obtained a Master of Science in Global Logistics at KLU, including a semester abroad at Kedge Business School in Bordeaux. In 2019, he received his Bachelor in Business Administration with a major in logistics from the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University while being employed by the Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG. During this time he spent a semester at Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Kuopio.
In addition to his studies, Malte worked at Würth as a full-time project manager, accompanying the realization of a bulky-goods warehouse and the detailed planning of an extension of a highly automated warehouse. Furthermore, he joined Johnson & Johnson as a working student in S&OP.
Contact
Networks
Education
| Since 2022 | PhD Candidate at Kühne Logistics University, Hamburg, Germany |
| 2021 - 2021 | Study Abroad, Kedge Business School, Bordeaux, France |
| 2020 - 2022 | Master in Science in Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Kühne Logistics University, Hamburg, Germany |
| 2018 - 2018 | Studay Abroad, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio, Finland |
| 2016 - 2019 | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University, Lörrach, Germany |
Professional Experience
| 2021 - 2021 | Working Student, Johnson & Johnson GmbH, Neuss, Germany |
| 2019 - 2020 | Project Manager, Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG, Künzelsau, Germany |
| 2018 - 2018 | Intern, Würth International Trading Co. Ltd., Shanghai, China |
| 2016 - 2019 | Corporate Student, Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG, Künzelsau, Germany |
Publications
The Physical Internet (PI) envisions a hyperconnected cyber-physical logistics system inspired by the Digital Internet, yet adoption remains limited due to persistent trust and governance challenges. This study addresses these barriers by conceptualizing systemic trust as a foundational requirement for broad participation in the PI. We apply the echeloned Design Science Research methodology to develop the Governance and Trust Orchestration Layer (GTOL), an extension of existing layered PI models that incorporates mechanisms for rule enforcement, credentialing, dispute resolution, and fair matching. Based on empirical interviews with logistics practitioners and evaluated through scenario-based walkthroughs, the GTOL addresses core commercial, institutional, and technological trust concerns. We contribute mid-range design theory through six design principles that provide transferable guidance for embedding trust in decentralized logistics networks. They serve as a practical and theoretical blueprint for enabling governance structures that are transparent, enforceable, and adaptable across diverse logistics contexts.
