A hybrid Grey-DEMATEL approach to identify barriers to the implementation of an end-of-life vehicle management system in Brazil

Abstract

The automobile industry has drawn its attention to the treatment of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) because they have numerous components and materials, and they can become a good secondary source of resources. When these materials are properly recovered, their recirculation is an important aspect for sustainability and, consequently, for circular economy. Nevertheless, developing countries such as Brazil still have a delay regarding the management of these ELVs, since there are neither a direction nor regulations that encourage the implementation of this recovery industry. Given this scenario, this study aims to identify and analyze the barriers that influence the implementation of an ELV management system in Brazil. A systematic literature review was conducted initially to identify the categories and barriers, then a refinement and validation step was performed by two experts, which resulted in a set of 16 barriers. The hybrid approach Grey-DEMATEL was used to analyze the most influential barriers of the system, assigning them into causal and effect clusters. The questionnaires required by Grey-DEMATEL were answered by experts representing four perspectives, namely: organizational, environmental, academic and governmental. In addition, an analysis was conducted from a global perspective by the aggregation of the opinions of the four experts, and it was noted that the absence of specific legislation for the management of ELVs was classified as the barrier that most significantly impacts the implementation of an ELV management system in Brazil. Finally, some mitigation strategies were proposed to support stakeholders in solving this problem.