Adoption Of Reverse Logistics Research Articles

Artificial intelligence-based reverse logistics for improving circular economy performance: a developing country perspective

PurposeReverse logistics services are designed to move goods from their point of consumption to an endpoint to capture value or properly dispose of products and materials. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based reverse logistics will help Micro, Small, and medium Enterprises (MSMEs) adequately recycle and reuse the materials in the firms. This research aims to measure the adoption of AI-based reverse logistics to improve circular economy (CE) performance.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, we proposed ten hypotheses using the theory of natural resource-based view and technology, organizational and environmental framework. Data are collected from 363 Indian MSMEs as they are the backbone of the Indian economy, and there is a need for digital transformation in MSMEs. A structural equation modeling approach is applied to analyze and test the hypothesis.FindingsNine of the ten proposed hypotheses were accepted, and one was rejected. The results revealed that the relative advantage (RA), trust (TR), top management support (TMS), environmental regulations, industry dynamism (ID), compatibility, technology readiness and government support (GS) positively relate to AI-based reverse logistics adoption. AI-based reverse logistics indicated a positive relationship with CE performance. For mediation analysis, the results revealed that RA, TR, TMS and technological readiness are complementary mediation. Still, GS, ID, organizational flexibility, environmental uncertainty and technical capability have no mediation.Practical implicationsThe study contributed to the CE performance and AI-based reverse logistics literature. The study will help managers understand the importance of AI-based reverse logistics for improving the performance of the CE in MSMEs. This study will help firms reduce their carbon footprint and achieve sustainable development goals.Originality/valueFew studies focused on CE performance, but none measured the adoption of AI-based reverse logistics to enhance MSMEs’ CE performance.

What is next? The effect of reverse logistics adoption on digitalization and inter-organizational collaboration

PurposeThis study aims to examine and understand the impact of reverse logistics adoption on firms' digitalization and collaboration activities. Specifically, leveraging the knowledge-based view, this study examines how adopting sustainable logistic practices (reverse logistics) prepares firms to embrace digitalization and encourages them to collaborate with other organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe study used longitudinal survey data from two waves (2017 and 2019) from the Mannheim Centre for European Economic Research. The authors used the negative binomial regression analyses to test the impact of reverse logistics adoption on the digitalization and inter-organizational collaboration dependent count variables.FindingsThe study's findings highlight the usefulness of reverse logistics in enabling digitalization and inter-organizational collaboration. The results show that the firms investing in sustainable supply chains will be better positioned to nurture digitalization and inter-organizational collaboration.Practical implicationsFor resource-bound managers, this study provides an important insight into prioritizing activities by highlighting how reverse logistics can facilitate digitalization and collaboration. The study demonstrates that the knowledge generated by reverse logistics adoption can be an essential pillar and enabler toward achieving firms' digitalization and collaboration goals.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to examine the effect of reverse logistics adoption on firm activities that are not strictly associated with the circular economy (digitalization and collaboration). Utilizing the knowledge-based view, this study reports on the additional benefits of reverse logistics implementation previously not discussed in the literature.

Barriers to the Adoption of Reverse Logistics in the Construction Industry: A Combined ISM and MICMAC Approach

With growing environmental concerns, reverse logistics (RL) assumes a significant role in the sustainability of the construction industry to the extent that it can contribute to mitigating some of the negative environmental impacts related to its activity. However, despite the benefits that can be attributed to RL, its implementation level in the construction industry is still very low. This research determines the root barriers to adopting RL in construction (ARLC) using the case of the Portuguese construction market. The methodology involved focus groups and a combined Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and Matrices d’Impacts cross-multiplication appliqúe a classmate (MICMAC) approach. The root barriers that have been identified by the application of the methodology to the ARLC are: lack of financial incentives to incorporate recycled materials, lack of knowledge about RL, lack of technical support, standard codes and regulations in favor of using recycled materials, lack of information sharing, cooperation and coordination among entities of the supply chain, current buildings have not been designed for deconstruction, and lack of construction and demolition waste (CDW) management and recycling infrastructures and markets for the materials resulting from CDW. The highest hierarchical level includes barrier B10 (lack of financial incentives to incorporate recycled materials into the construction); this barrier influences all the other barriers and, as such, it is considered the key barrier to the ARLC in Portugal. The research has also identified 17 different mitigation measures to tackle these barriers, with different natures: fiscal, regulatory, financial, etc.

Sustainable supply chain management of automotive sector in context to the circular economy: A strategic framework

AbstractIn the era of circular economy (CE), sustainability in the supply chain provides a competitive edge over other organizations in a globally competitive environment. There have been an increasing number of studies in sustainable supply chain practices in the recent past. Limited studies have been done to identify the key strategic factors for sustainable operations of automotive sector in context to developing countries like India. The primary goal of this research is to undertake a thorough assessment and give a brief understanding of the barriers of sustainability in the automotive supply chain. Various barriers are identified from experts' interviews and past academic literature. An integrated approach comprising of the “decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory method” (DEMATEL) and “interpretive structural modelling” (ISM) method is employed to develop a contextual and hierarchical relationship among the identified barriers. The lack of awareness concerning reverse logistics adoption has the greatest causal effect. This is followed by a lack of information sharing on sustainable practices and complexity in measurement and monitoring of suppliers' environmental activities. To ensure the robustness of the model, sensitivity analysis has been also performed. The novelty of this work is that it identified several barriers towards a sustainable supply chain in automotive sector with a special focus on India. This work will help the practitioners to prioritize the strategic actions needed to be taken for developing sustainable supply chain management. This research has crucial policy implications for stakeholders working to build a sustainable CE by remanufacturing and reusing production waste.

Logística reversa de resíduos da construção civil

This article sought to understand the activities developed by the construction industry in what concerns waste management. Due to the generation of large volumes of solid waste, the treatment and proper disposal of such waste has a great influence on reducing the environmental impacts caused by the sector. The objective of this study was to analyze the management of reverse logistics of civil construction waste; identify the type, volume and characteristics of waste discarded in civil construction; verify the current system of management of civil construction waste; and propose alternatives that can contribute to the adoption of reverse logistics for civil construction waste. The research was carried out in a civil construction company in the city of Itã/SC between March and June,2021 and it was accompanied by the administrative manager of the company. It is a Qualitative research and made use of a questionnaire applied to the company's employees on the subject of the study. The criterion used to choose the company was that it does not have a correct destination for the waste resulting from its activities. As the city in which it is installed is small, it does not have this concern with waste. One of the options proposed involves the implementation of so-called reverse logistics, as it promotes the use of waste to replace virgin materials. The research results show that the waste management systems in the researched organization encompass the following steps: construction waste is discarded in the warehouse yard, without any separation of the same, the collection of these are made by employees of the organization itself, there is no specific loss control. Waste that can be reused is taken to other works for which the company is responsible. The results achieved were the improvement of the logistics of these products and organization in the workspace, making reverse logistics applied in the company. The contribution of this work is that, by adopting the planning and organization of reverse logistics to improve work and sustainability, other construction companies in the city may also apply this idea and improve their own logistics as well as achieve better sustainability levels.

Adoption of reverse logistics to waste plastic recycling: investigation of critical success factors in Ethiopia

Adoption of reverse logistics to waste plastic recycling: investigation of critical success factors in Ethiopia

Adoption of reverse logistics to waste plastic recycling: investigation of critical success factors in Ethiopia

Adoption of reverse logistics to waste plastic recycling: investigation of critical success factors in Ethiopia

Effect of Green Supply Chain Practices on the Performance of Building, Mining and Construction Firms in Kenya

This research was a cross-sectional study that explores to establish the effect of Green Supply Chain Practices on the Performance of building, mining and construction firms in Kenya. Specific objectives of the study are eco-design and eco-labelling, green manufacturing, green procurement and reverse logistics. The theoretical framework of this work includes theories such as the theory of green operations, institutional theory, and the game theory. This study adopted a cross sectional survey design. The study used a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics was presented in the form of frequency tables, and percentages. The inferential statistics includes Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis. The study findings indicated that eco-design & eco labelling, green manufacturing, green procurement and reverse logistics have a positive and significate association with the performance of building, mining and construction firms in Kenya. This implies that green supply chain practices and performance change in the same direction. The study found out that building, mining and construction Firms in Kenya have embraced green supply chain practices for effective performance. The study recommended: that it would be appropriate for building, mining and construction firms in Kenya to embrace eco-design & eco labelling, green manufacturing, green procurement and reverse logistics as green supply chain practices; that the government has a role to play in ensuring successful implementation of the green supply chain in organizations by coming up with appropriate measures that will encourage the manufacturers and other organization to adopt the green supply chain practice; that the effectiveness of green supply chain practices should be advocated to ensure sustainability of not only the current generation but the future generation. Further, there should be adequate supply of people who are educated in the philosophy of green supply chain practices to improve the performance of the firm. Moreover, building, mining and construction firms in Kenya to need to invest more on green supply chain practices for sustainable manufacturing. Firms should emphasize on suppliers to have ISO 14001, use life cycle assessment to evaluate environmental load, cooperate with suppliers to standardize packaging and process returned merchandise to improve their performance. Finally, the adoption of reverse logistics as a management strategy will boost performance of building, mining and construction firms in Kenya.

Barriers to adoption of reverse logistics: a case of construction, real estate, infrastructure and project (CRIP) sectors

PurposeThis study attempts to identify and analyse the barriers to implementing a reverse logistics (RL) system in Indian Construction, Real estate, Infrastructure and Project (CRIP) sectors and present a structured model to identify interdependencies among them.Design/methodology/approachThe barriers to implementing RL in CRIP sectors in India were identified using a Delphi study. The interdependencies were identified using Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). Further, using the Matriced' Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée à un Classement (MICMAC) analysis, the barriers were classified on the basis of their driving power and interdependencies.FindingsThe study has identified ten barriers that can hamper the application of an RL system in CRIP sectors. The finding of the ISM model shows that macro level barriers such as lack of awareness of reverse logistics, insufficient government policies and unavailability of standard codes stimulate each other and also drive all other barriers. The organization-specific barriers operating at the strategic/tactical level, namely, company's rigid mechanism, lack of awareness of economic profits, inadequate company’s organizational policies and lack of training, reluctance from stakeholders, scarcity of resources and finance from company are found at the intermediate level of hierarchy and they can be influenced by the barriers at the lower level and influence the barriers on the and higher levels. The operational level barrier namely “Inadequate Information Technology system” is at the top of the hierarchy and can be driven by all the barriers at the lower level.Research limitations/implicationsThe present findings are based on the opinions of experts only from Indian CRIP sectors so the results may require to be validated in other contexts.Practical implicationsThe structural model presenting the interdependencies will be a guide for the CRIP supply chain professionals in understanding and ranking the barriers they may face while implementing the RL system.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the existing literature by providing a set of barriers and their interdependencies faced during the implementation of an RL system implementation in CRIP sectors. It is one of the first studies which identifies barriers applicable to the CRIP firms in India and models their inter-dependencies. Additionally Consequently, these firms can make a move forward towards a circular economy by overcoming these interlinked barriers.

Pathways towards reverse logistics adoption in Indian educational institutes: a challenging factors analysis

Reverse logistics (RL) has been proven to have a positive effect on addressing the issue of effectively utilizing resources. India has a population of over one billion people with most of it dominated by youth. Developing RL strategies and exposing it to students will encourage them to find ways to manage the limited resources available in our country. This study is focused on identifying the challenges of RL implementation in education institutes in India and finding the inter-relationship among them. The most crucial barrier to RL implementation in educational institutes is also sought in the process. We initially review the RL practices in the Indian sub-continent to examine the challenges of effectively implementing RL. We then identify the challenges of RL based on literature and discussions with experts from the education industry. The experts selected for this study include administrators from schools and universities in Kerala, India (South India). A survey was conducted in two phases. The Fuzzy-DEMATEL technique was applied to determine the inter-relationship between the challenges and obtain the causal diagram. Initially, 45 challenges were identified. Based on responses from experts from phase one of the survey, it was narrowed down to 29 crucial challenges. A pairwise comparison among the challenges was then done by experts in the education field. Finally, on the application of Fuzzy-DEMATEL, a causal diagram was generated to indicate the extent of influence of the RL challenges. Our findings indicate that educational institutions are faced with lack of awareness about reverse logistic, lack of responsibilities about environment, resistance to change, lack of supplies on supplier end, lack of knowledge, and no proper outlet for disposal in managing RL operations in educational institutes. The challenges identified in our study is unique to the Indian sub-continent and provides a result based on the current scenario of RL implementation in Indian educational institutes. The findings from our study indicate a unique perspective of RL implementation challenges. We analyzed 29 challenges to obtain our findings. Furthermore, we use Fuzzy-DEMATEL as our analysis tool to facilitate finding results. We present this as the uniqueness of our study from the available literature.

Plan to Overcome Barriers to Reverse Logistics in Construction and Demolition Waste: Survey of the Construction Industry

The aim of this study was to identify the barriers to the adoption of reverse logistics (RL) and to develop action plans to mitigate them as a way to minimize the construction and demolition waste (CDW) produced by the large multinational construction industries (CI), considering the impact these barriers have on the global construction community. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify barriers and RL practices with regard to CDW. The parameters under question were validated by six experts, and a survey methodology was applied and evaluated using structural equation modeling. These findings contribute to the literature and organizational practice because understanding these barriers is necessary to address the barriers that negatively influence the implementation of RL in the CI.

Adoption of Reverse Logistics in Food Companies: A Case of Pakistan

This research highlights the importance of Reverse Logistics in Food Companies and explains its implementation level in food companies of Pakistan. Reverse Logistics is the process by which products are brought back to the producer due to some problem in the products. This study describes how food companies are dealing with returned items, their packaging material waste and the food and packaging material waste created at the consumers’ end. The other significant aspect of this research is the exploration of hindrances due to which companies do not perform the activities of RL especially in food companies. This study has focused on two local food companies operating in Lahore, mainly dealing in confectionary items such as breads, patties etc., sweet meats, soft drinks and milk. The research has employed Semi structured interviews as a tool to gather data which is then analyzed using NVIVO software. The results have shown that both of the companies have implemented different aspects of Reverse Logistics and the problems they face while developing a Reverse Logistics process are more or less the same. This study would be forerunner in highlighting the current status and the problems faced by the companies.

A Literature Review on Green Supply Chain Management Adoption Drivers

This article provides a systematic literature review of the driving factors influencing the application of green supply chain management (GSCM). The GSCM adoption issues have been widely given attention by researchers and practitioners since the adoption of GSCM would impact significantly on an organization's environmental, social, and financial performance. Most GSCM adoption has been discussed in the perspective of logistics management activities such as procurement, manufacturing, transportation, and reverse logistics. Nowadays, the discussion of GSCM adoption in terms of the driving factors affecting a successful GSCM application has led to complexity. In this article, a further review and discussion are conducted in terms of the driving factors dealing with GSCM adoption, including three major points, such as the driving forces of green procurement, green manufacturing, and green distribution and reverse logistics adoption. The driving factors are reviewed to highlight the recent factors affecting GSCM adoption. In this article, 94 papers from the past study are presented, associating each point of the discussion.

Examining the effect of green human capital availability in adoption of reverse logistics and remanufacturing operations performance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test a theoretical framework that examines the relationship of green human capital availability in the adoption of reverse logistics practices and remanufacturing operations performance.Design/methodology/approachThe conceptual framework for this study is drawn upon contingent resource based view theory. The hypotheses are tested by drawing 250 samples from automotive manufacturing firms operating in an emerging economy (South Africa) using questionnaires designed for a single respondent. The path modelling is performed using WarpPLS software.FindingsAvailability of green human capital is found to positively influence reverse logistics adoption and remanufacturing operations performance. Top management commitment exerts a moderating effect on the path availability of green human capital and reverse logistics adoption while it shows no-moderating effect on the path availability of green human capital and remanufacturing operations performance. Sustainability culture exerts a moderating effect on the path availability of green human capital and reverse logistics adoption. It also exerts a moderating effect on the path availability of green human capital and remanufacturing operations performance. Reverse logistics adoption is found to positively influence remanufacturing operations performance.Practical implicationsFirst, it is important that managers must focus on increasing the availability of green human capital in the organisation. Second, focus is required on reverse logistics adoption process. Third, focus must be given towards cleaner remanufacturing production methods. Fourth, senior management must exhibit commitment towards green projects. Finally, managers must focus on creating sustainability culture in the organisation.Originality/valueThe results provide further understanding of human resource management in managing reverse logistics adoption and remanufacturing operations.

Barriers analysis for reverse logistics in Thailand’s palm oil industry using fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making method for prioritizing the solutions

The palm oil industry faces significant pressure because of the environmental problems from the plantation process and the palm oil milling process in their supply chain, which is due to the constraints of natural resources and the growing ecological awareness among customers. Reverse logistics (RL) has been considered as a systematic approach for the palm oil industry to improve the environmental impact. However, there are more barriers which cannot be detected in the RL. Therefore, this study proposes robust and flexible strategies for overcoming such barriers by focusing on identifying and ranking the solutions on RL adoption in Thailand’s palm oil industry. We use a fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods based on fuzzy analytical network process (ANP) and Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) to prioritize related solutions and strategies. Firstly, fuzzy ANP is applied to identify the weighting of each barrier using pairwise comparison, while the final ranking of the solution on RL adoption is obtained through VIKOR. This model will help business analysis and supply chain managers formulate both short-term and long-term, flexible decision strategies for successfully managing and implementing RL adoption in the supply chain scenarios. In addition, sensitivity analysis is used to illustrate the method, and comparisons with other existing methods is also presented in this study.

How to identify opportunities for improvement in the use of reverse logistics in clothing industries? A case study in a Brazilian cluster

Waste disposal is a worldwide concern. In the case of the textile and clothing industries, consumption has increased steadily, especially in the clothing business, which generates large amounts of post-industrial waste. The objective of this article is to identify opportunities for improvement in the use of reverse logistics (RL) in clothing industries, as well as to list the existing strengths in the valuation of textile waste (TW) and minimize environmental impacts. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire was developed, validated and applied in a clothing cluster. The questionnaire assessed strengths and weaknesses in 8 dimensions using 32 assertions involving reverse logistics and management of textile waste. We identified in the research that: (i) there are no route facilitators between RL and TW in clothing industries; (ii) there are opportunities for the textile companies to increase the adoption of RL to combat TW; (iii) the main improvement opportunities for increasing cluster advancement in terms of RL and TW are: reuse of TW by the generating company and separating waste according to the composition of materials, which would facilitate the possibility of recycling and disclosing to consumers the importance of social and environmental practices. Conclusion remarks point that, despite the existence of strengths in the use of the RL for the TW valuing in the clothing industry, it is still required a readjustment of the destination of TW as a by-product to be used in a new cycle.

Critical Barriers to Implementation of Reverse Logistics in the Manufacturing Industry: A Case Study of a Developing Country

Globalization policies are encouraging manufacturing companies to produce environment-friendly products that offer a sustainable competitive advantage. Currently, product recovery and zero-waste supply chains have caught the attention of manufacturers and professionals. Reverse logistics (RL) is considered as the most significant part of supply chain management in developed countries; unfortunately, its implementation in developing countries is in the initial stages due to certain barriers. This study aims to identify and verify the barriers to implementation of reverse logistics using a two-stage methodology: the Delphi Method and Structural Equation Modeling. A comprehensive literature review was considered to identify a primary set of barriers. Using the Delphi Method, a team of experts screened out barriers after performing three iterations. A survey-based questionnaire was then sent out to supply chain and logistics employees in the manufacturing industry and relevant government authorities. Five hundred and forty-seven useful responses were analyzed in the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) & AMOS 21 softwares using Structural Equation Modeling to verify barriers, and ranked according to their severity. The most critical barriers with respect to each category are: high cost of reverse logistics adoption (finance and economics), lack of skilled professionals (knowledge and experience), lack of government supportive policies (law and regulation), poor organizational culture (management), lack of human resources (infrastructure and technology), lack of environmental law awareness (environment), lack of community pressure (market) and company policies (reverse logistics in policy). Overall, the top five barriers found in this study include lack of initial capital, lack of skilled professional in RL, companies’ policies against RL, lack of new technologies and information systems, and lack of community pressure. Knowledge about barriers to reverse logistics allows manufacturing companies to prepare a priority list of actions for better implementation of the reverse logistics system.

A Pareto investigation on critical barriers in green supply chain management

ABSTRACTMore and more organizations are involved in green supply chain practices to sustain business market competition, achieve customer loyalty, improve brand image, and minimize negative environmental impacts. Examples of these practices are green design, green purchasing, green manufacturing, green packaging, green logistics, and green marketing. In this paper, we investigate barriers in green supply chain management and identify the ‘critical’ or ‘vital’ using Pareto analysis. The data for green supply chain barriers is extracted using literature review and expert surveys. Pareto analysis is conducted on the two data sources to identify the priority barriers and the common barriers are determined as ‘vital few’. The results of our study yield ‘difficulty in transforming positive environmental attitudes into action’ and ‘lack of awareness about reverse logistics adoption’ as the top priority barriers followed by ‘high cost of hazardous waste disposal’, ‘perception of “out of responsibility” zone’, ‘lack of R&D capability on ESER (Environmental and Sustainability Education Research)’, and ‘lack of corporate social responsibility’. These barriers are related to awareness, cost, commitment and resources. Interested organizations should therefore put focus on these barriers to make green supply chain practices successful.

Environmental advantages of the reverse logistics: a case study in the batteries collection in Brazil

Abstract Paper aims Evaluate the environmental advantages of the Reverse Logistics of Portable Batteries carried out by the Brazilian Electrical and Electronics Industry Association (ABINEE). Originality The adoption of reverse logistics of batteries contributed with the minimization of environmental impact and stimulated the manufacturers of electronics in the adhesion of sector agreement as well as strengthened the players of reverse chain. Research method A case study was developed by means of interviews and documental analysis, and for data analysis, the mass balance was carried. Main findings 4,304,465 batteries were collected, representing 176,422kg of both solid and chemical wastes, which were disposed properly, reducing the environmental impact. Implications for theory and practice The theoretical contribution consists in environmental assessment by means of mass balance of the adoption of reverse logistics of batteries, and the practical contribution consists in stimulating the electronic manufacturers to develop social license among the community, government and players of reverse chain.

The Impact of Reverse Logistics on Operational Performance

Logistics management is an integrated part of supply chain management. Reverse logistics is for all operations related to the reuse of products and materials. It is "the process of moving goods from their typical final destination for the purpose of recycling, reuse, capturing value, or proper disposal. Remanufacturing and refurbishing activities also may be included in the definition of reverse logistics." Growing green concerns and advancement of green supply chain management concepts and practices make it all the more relevant. The number of publications on the topic of reverse logistics has increased significantly over the past two decades. This research paper investigates the relationship between reverse logistics operation, environmental performance, and competitive advantage, financial and operational performance of pharmaceutical firms located in India. This research paper has been adopted simultaneous regression method to test hypothesis. The results indicate that all endogenous (operational, environmental and financial performance) except competitive advantage are positively and significantly correlated with reverse logistics operations, while competitive advantages and reverse logistics operations have insignificant relationship. In addition, due to adoption of reverse logistics, firms may increase their overall performance and increase the efficiency of manufacturing processes due to elimination of waste. Furthermore, implementing reverse logistics operations, more opportunities to firms to improve their products’ quality and reduce their end-to-end supply chain cost will take place.