Green and Reverse Logistics in Conditions of Sustainable Development in Enterprises in Slovakia

Patrik Richnák,Klaudia Gubová

doi:10.3390/su13020581

Abstract

The high quality of the environment, protection of natural resources, efficient use of natural resources, and elimination of environmental burdens are the main priorities of sustainable development. Therefore, enterprises around the world have to manage the environment wisely, while avoiding negative effects on it. The aim of the paper was to examine the use of green and reverse logistics in the conditions of sustainable development in enterprises in Slovakia. The intention of the paper was to provide a theoretical overview of green and reverse logistics at home and abroad on the basis of the elaboration of a scientific bibliographic-information apparatus. Subsequent practical implementation of the questionnaire research and statistical verification of research results provides a basis for practical recommendations and conclusions for enterprises operating in Slovakia. The research topic of the paper was green and reverse logistics in companies in Slovakia. The research problem was the implementation and use of modern logistics under the influence of the environment. Based on these facts, statistical hypotheses were determined and subsequently tested. Descriptive statistics and inference statistics were used to interpret the research results. Based on the research, we found that the dominant position in green and reverse logistics in Slovakia was achieved by large production enterprises from the automotive industry, which operate in western Slovakia. The analysed enterprises in Slovakia use voluntary tools of environmental policy and the most important environmental tool is corporate social responsibility. Elements of environmental policy are used primarily in the logistics process of warehousing and storage. The biggest barrier in the implementation of elements of environmental logistics analysed by enterprises is the lack of financial resources. The implementation of green logistics and reverse logistics enables the analysed enterprises in Slovakia to improve customer-supplier relations. We can say that despite the government’s efforts, measures to minimize the environmental impact and growing public awareness of environmental issues, environmental problems persist. Initiatives can be seen at the global and national levels of enterprises that make quick decisions and set up new processes in environmental management.

Highlights

Sustainability is an often inflected term at home and abroad
We found that the dominant position in green and reverse logistics in Slovakia was achieved by large production enterprises from the automotive industry, which operate in western Slovakia
The foundation for development of sustainability is an implementation of environmental politics in a country that is based on fulfilling resolutions and goals referring to protection and repair of damage to the environment

Summary

Introduction

Sustainability is an often inflected term at home and abroad. There is significant environmental pollution worldwide, which increases the emphasis on the sustainability of enterprises. The response and solution to the situation is to plan and set political, social and technological priorities in order to ensure a sustainable supply chain. Green and sustainable products are subject to high consumer demand and are increasingly required by government regulation. Under the growing environmental considerations, many countries have implemented environmental protection laws to reduce the environmental impact of industry [1]. According Maciková et al [2] sustainability is a central factor limiting business behavior and awareness of the issue is sensitively perceived especially during an economic crisis when businesses are undertaking an extensive restructuring of their businesses and are looking for new fields of action

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Discussion

Conclusion