Abstract
This paper is aimed at introducing the concept of reverse logistics (RL) and its implications for supply chain management (SCM). RL is a research area focused on the management of the recovery of products once they are no longer desired (end-of-use products, EoU) or can no longer be used (end-of-life products) by the consumers, in order to obtain an economic value from the recovered products. This way, RL has become a matter of strategic importance, an element that companies are considering in their decision-making processes related to the design and development of their supply chains. In addition, a description of the implications of RL for SCM will be discussed and, finally, an analysis of some of the opportunities and challenges that RL implies for SCM will be presented.
Highlights
As a research topic, reverse logistics (RL) has attracted the attention of companies and professionals and academia, which has been tackling this issue over the last 15-20 years [1,2,3]
An introduction to the concept of RL will be presented in order to describe its implications for supply chain management (SCM) and challenges for the future regarding the recovery of products once they are no longer desired or can no longer be used in order to recover their economic value through activities of reusing, recycling and remanufacturing
The interest of academics and professionals in activities related to closed-loop supply chain (CLSC), RL, and remanufacturing has provided a better understanding of the characteristics, processes and implications that the recovery of EoU products has on business activity
Summary
Reverse logistics (RL) has attracted the attention of companies and professionals and academia, which has been tackling this issue over the last 15-20 years [1,2,3]. This growing interest in RL in the business community is evidenced by an increase in the level of related activities in leading sectors such as transport, consumer electronics, textiles, and the press and media to name but a few [4]. The references of the selected articles were examined with the purpose of identifying other interesting papers not identified previously
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