Of great concern today is how to collect and recycle post‐consumer waste efficiently. Reports the results of a study of 47 collection schemes for household waste which examined their logistical characteristics. An extensive literature review revealed that much recycling research suffers from a lack of theory. Discusses why and how logistics theory can contribute to the understanding of what i…
A reverse logistics problem, motivated by many real-life applications, is examined where bottles/cans in which products are delivered from a processing depot to customers in one period are available for return to the depot in the following period. The picked-up bottles/cans need to be adjusted in the place of delivery load. This problem is termed as simultaneous delivery and pick-up problem wit…
Whilst implementation of a broad range of reverse logistics (RL) practices is increasingly the norm within commercial supply chain management, they have had limited impact in the humanitarian logistics (HL) sector. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges and opportunities for the application of RL in a HL context.
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether Czech companies believe that value is being generated by reverse logistics (RL), and whether (and how) they track its costs and benefits. The quality of performance measurement of RL was related to three corporate attributes. The findings were then compared to the results of an older study to describe developments over the past five years, and to …
Reverse logistics is one of the toughest supply chain challenges. One approach to achieving more effective reverse logistics is to adopt a relationship‐oriented perspective. Two aspects of a relationship‐orientation ‐ trust and relationship commitment ‐ were examined by surveying senior marketing and logistics personnel from the automotive aftermarket industry. Relationship commitment w…
The purpose of this paper is to present a systemic analysis of the complex interaction of factors affecting the reverse logistics (RL) processes in a pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC).
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the salient task environment on reverse logistics (RL) practices and organizational performance in the context of Taiwanese computer, communication, and consumer (3C) electronics retail industry.
The aim of this paper is to study reverse logistics network design in order to better facilitate the location of factories, online retailers, and the third party logistics in the context of e-commerce.
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the processes of collecting used non-returnable packaging. The objective is to increase the quality and quantity of recycling material used in the production of new packages.
Reverse logistics is an issue that has attracted the attention of researchers since the last decade due to an ever‐increasing increased awareness about economic, environmental and social benefits associated with them. In this paper, we report a case study of an Indian paper manufacturing company. For this company, proper management of reverse logistics is key to its survival and growth. SAP…
The current study demonstrates the value of utilizing qualitative research methods to analyze logistics problems. Specifically, the study utilizes a qualitative methodology to examine the feasibility of designing a reverse logistics system to recycle and/or refurbish end‐of‐life computers that are deemed no longer useful by their owners. The qualitative methodology is a modified version of …
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply the goals and processes of reverse logistics related to disposal and renewal to an industry example, in this case, the tufted carpet manufacturing industry. With an industry-wide coalition, the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), the carpet industry offers lessons for other industries on how to create new products from waste, how to develo…
Returns management is the supply chain management process by which activities associated with returns, reverse logistics, gatekeeping, and avoidance are managed within the firm and across key members of the supply chain. The correct implementation of this process enables management not only to manage the reverse product flow efficiently, but to identify opportunities to reduce unwanted returns …
The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for forecasting product returns to the company for recycling in terms of quantity and time.
Extant research has yielded conflicting results regarding the relationship between adoption of green supply chain management (GSCM) practices and competitive advantage. The purpose of this paper is to further investigate this relationship by examining the case of green reverse logistics (GRL).
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the keywords used in peer-reviewed literature on green supply chain management.
Many firms are placing greater emphasis on managing returned product. Reverse logistics programs are being used to recover assets that would otherwise be lost. Research results are presented covering reverse logistics programs in the electronics industry, specifically among firms selling through catalogs. The paper looks at how reverse logistics performance and satisfaction with reverse logisti…
The purpose of this study is to identify the critical components of the reverse logistics (RL) disposition decision-making process and suggest a decision framework that may guide future investigation and practice.
Information systems (IS) play a substantial role in managing reverse logistics (RL) processes. However, the RL literature rarely takes a holistic approach to examining the “success” of IS employment. Drawing on the rich literature base from the IS field, the authors explore IS Success theory in the context of RL. Considering Diffusion of Innovation theory, the authors also examine the effec…
The purpose of this paper is to identify the key issues faced by today’s supply chain professionals when managing reverse logistics (RL) processes and compare these issues with the topics examined in extant research. By making such a comparison, the paper identifies areas of practical relevance that are being adequately addressed in the literature, as well as areas that may need further atten…
Information technology is a key enabler of logistics performance. Unfortunately, most logistics information systems are implemented with forward logistics processes in mind, with little, if any, consideration for the reverse channel. Informed by task‐technology fit theory, the authors aim to explore how use of complementary information technologies to support reverse logistics processes can l…
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically explore supply chain integration (SCI) enabling practices, their benefits and barriers in a retail product returns process context. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a case study research strategy. It draws on a single case, comprised of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and its two retailers. It utilizes an in-de…
Activity‐based costing (ABC) is a tool used by managers to more closely approximate the “true costs” of operations. The application of ABC in logistics is more commonplace today than just a few years ago, though still far short of universal. Sound tracking of operational costs is critical when pursuing the logistics objective of providing desired customer service at the lowest total cos…
Describes a research project carried out within the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) to evaluate and improve the recycling and disposal of pharmaceutical products. Discusses supply chain management practices in the National Health Service and, in particular, focuses on the concept of reverse logistics (the recycling of pharmaceutical stock for later re‐use). The research involved the analysis…
Considers the application of returnable containers as an example of reverse logistics. A returnable container is a type of secondary packaging that can be used several times in the same form, in contrast with traditional cardboard boxes. For this equipment to be used, a system for the return logistics of the containers should be available: this system should guarantee that the containers are …
Considers the application of returnable containers as an example of reverse logistics. A returnable container is a type of secondary packaging that can be used several times in the same form, in contrast with traditional cardboard boxes. For this equipment to be used, a system for the return logistics of the containers should be available: this system should guarantee that the containers are tr…
From a synthesis of empirical findings and literature, the aim of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for managing retail reverse logistics operations. The framework is designed to assist both practitioners and academics in better understanding the key management aspects involved. The paper also identifies some future research directions that are derived from this conceptual framework.
This paper aims to propose a method for forecasting product returns based on reason codes. The methodology uses two approaches, namely central tendency approach and extreme point approach, and is developed for the consumer electronics industry.
Increasing attention to sustainability has made product recovery issues increasingly significant. Although several studies portray product recovery arrangements as networks, these constellations have not been analyzed with network models. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the organizing of product recovery networks.
This research studies a plastic recycling system from a reverse logistics angle and investigates the potential benefits of a multimodality strategy to the network design of plastic recycling. This research aims to quantify the impact of multimodality on the network, to provide decision support for the design of more sustainable plastic recycling networks in the future.
Managing the reverse flow of product is an important ability for any company, as the recent experiences of many online retailers illustrate. Reverse logistics is a growing and important area of strategic advantage for many companies. For a long time, the product life cycle has been a valuable source of insight about the changing needs of marketing and logistics over the life of a product. In …
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of reverse logistics on order and inventory variance amplification in a single-echelon supply chain (SC) and to propose a new order policy for dampening such amplification.
To lower the environmental damage of business we need to examine our “ecological footprint”. We need to move forward with the business at the same time. In order to solve that dilemma, a value‐seeking and proactive approach to greening is proposed in the (general) management literature. However, literature on the role of supply chain operations, mostly published in the area of reversed …
The purpose of the paper is to examine the major factors that may influence industries to implement reverse logistics. Thus, the practice of reverse logistics can be promoted by suggestions provided for businesses to eliminate the identified barriers.
Suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers alike are still considering reverse logistics (RL) to be the “necessary evil” in their day-to-day operations rather than an opportunity for future performance. At the same time, a well-structured RL program can create a substantial valueadded and positively affect the bottom-line. Based on in-depth investigation of best-in-class RL progra…
This paper compares and contrasts forward and reverse logistics in a retail environment, with the focus on the reverse flow of product. Many differences between forward and reverse flows of logistics systems are presented. The impact of these factors depends to some extent on the supply chain position of a firm. Unlike much reverse logistics research, which is written from the perspective of …
The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the product residual value (PRV) and the loss of value over time of returned products in the reverse supply chain configuration. It also examines whether or not the distinction of Fisher’s functional and innovative products holds for the reverse supply chain.
The purpose is to conceptually construct a service-dominant (S-D) logic-based integrated product service system (IPSS) business model.
An important function in purchasing is the disposal of excess material. Often the material is in the form of waste products such as paper, metals and plastics which are difficult to value. However, by utilizing a commodity‐market based approach, many items can now be disposed of in a timely, profitable and environmentally friendly manner. This paper discusses some of the issues involved in …
Business process reengineering applied to the returns channel is becoming increasingly important as a result of marketplace requirements for productivity and customer satisfaction. This article provides an overview of a reengineering approach to “reverse logistics” and presents methodologies which may be helpful to management. Several examples from the literature are provided as illustrat…
This paper aims to present a survey of the perceptions of the barriers to implementing reverse logistics (RL) practices in South Australian (SA) construction organisations. Despite the extensive research on forward logistics and RL, there is a paucity of studies that examine the barriers to implementing RL particularly within the Australian construction industry. This study builds on the ongoin…
The purpose of this paper is to present an original model for the production-recyclingreuse of plastic beverage bottles.
One of the most important decisions regarding reverse logistics (RL) is whether to outsource such functions or not, due to the fact that RL does not represent a production or distribution firm’s core activity. To explore the hypothesis that outsourcing RL functions is more suitable when returns are more variable, we formulate and analyse a Markov decision model of the outsourcing decision. Th…
The purpose of this study is to develop a fuzzy expert system to design robust forecast of return quantity in order to handle uncertainties from the return process in reverse logistic network.
Waste computer reverse logistics involves numerous complex factors and operating procedures that must be dealt with, and usually consumes considerable resources and time. Therefore, how to eff ectively deal with the growing number of discarded computers is a key concern that governments, businesses, and environmental organizations are eager to resolve. This study reviews the literature and cond…