Reverse logistics: past research, current management issues, and future directions

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to identify the key issues faced by today's supply chain professionals when managing reverse logistics (RL) processes and compare these issues with the topics examined in extant research. By making such a comparison, the paper identifies areas of practical relevance that are being adequately addressed in the literature, as well as areas that may need further attention. Design/methodology/approach -The paper employed a Delphi method in order to uncover the most salient RL issues faced in industry, as viewed by practitioners. The paper then completed a systematic analysis of the RL literature in order to examine the degree to which topics addressed in the extant literature correspond with the framework proposed by Carter and Ellram (1998). Finally, the paper compared and contrasted the findings of the content analysis and Delphi study, which highlights areas for future investigation that may help to better align research with practice. Findings -In the Delphi study, the paper uncovered and ranked seven key issues for RL managers. These are: customer support, top-management support, communication, costs, formalization, timing of operations, and environmental issues. When compared to Carter and Ellram's (1998) framework, three of the seven factors coincide with factors described in the framework and two factors indirectly relate to the framework. The two factors not specifically represented are costs and formalization. Practical implications -The findings provide practitioners with an understanding of what factors are most important to consider when managing RL programs. The discussion of the comparison between the Delphi results and extant literature provides guidance as to how to address the RL issues uncovered in this study. Originality/value -This research effort suggests directions for future research that will better align academic topics with current managerial issues. Although the paper offers many suggestions for future research, the paper proposes that investigating ways to increase formalization of RL programs and establish RL as a profit center within organizations may be the areas in greatest need for additional scholarly research.

Impacts of Returning Unsold Products in Retail Outsourcing Fashion Supply Chain: A Sustainability Analysis

“…Huscroft et al [26] confirm the significance of sustainability analysis in reverse supply chains. In this paper, we follow the approach of sustainability analysis in Choi and Chiu [25].…”

Optimization in supply chain management, the current state and future directions: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis

“…They showed that combination of inventory and production making decision is frequently use in facility location and allocation cases. In another part they taxonomy 18 papers in different network structure respected to closed loop or reverse logistic activity in different layers (Huscroft, Hazen, Hall, Skipper & Hanna, 2013). They reach this conclusion just few papers concentrated on both closed-loop and forward logistic models comprehensively.…”

Industrial ecology, industrial symbiosis and supply chain environmental sustainability: a case study of a large UK distributor

“…The research method is presented, followed by an overview of the case study organisation. The company interview results and further implications for the Product stewardship Sarkis (1995), Lewis (2005), Ruskino (2007), Snir (2009), Rogers et al (2010) Green purchasing Tsoulfas and Pappis (2006), Gold et al (2009), Zhu et al (2007), Eltayeb and Zailani (2010), Green et al (2012), Yen and Yen (2012) Reverse logistics Lippman (2001), Blumberg (2005), Kleindorfer et al (2005), Varma et al (2005), Gupta (2005), Anderson and Skjoett-Larsen (2009), Jayant et al (2012), Huscroft et al (2013), Mutingi (2014) Recycle, reuse and remanufacturing Sarkis (1995), Kleindorfer et al (2005), Gupta (2005), Kuik et al (2011), Loomba and Nakashima (2012) Table 1 -Environmentally SSCM approaches and key references in the literature 'Environmental management' contains three different methods within a business strategy at different impact levels: reactive 'end of pipe' pollution control, proactive reusing, remanufacturing, and recycling of products and materials within the supply chain, and an integrated approach into value-seeking supply chain re-design integrated into business strategy (van Hoek, 1999). A value-seeking pollution preventive approach results in a better environmental performance than an end of pipe approach (Lee and Rhee, 2005).…”