Closed-loop supply chain management: From conceptual to an action oriented framework on core acquisition

Abstract

Closed-Loop Supply Chain (CLSC) focuses on acquiring the cores/product returns from consumers, recovering their residual value, and remarketing them. Extant literature on core acquisition management suggests that researchers have not considered behavioral aspect of consumers. On the other hand, marketing literature suggests that researchers neglected technical issues related to core acquisition in a CLSC while discussing consumers' disposition behaviors. We propose a conceptual framework that extends the existing CLSC setting by introducing consumers’ disposition behavior. We develop eleven research propositions based on which we design a survey. The survey was sent to decision making executives of different remanufacturing industries to solicit their perception. Participants were also asked to make paired comparisons using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), based on which an action oriented framework is developed. Firms that have CLSC operation can use our framework to ensure enhanced quality product returns which in turn increase profitability. Finally, possible future extensions are discussed.