A Framework for Reverse Logistics

Abstract

Reverse Logistics has been stretching out worldwide, involving all the layers of supply chains in various industry sectors. While some actors in the chain have been forced to take products back, others have pro-actively done so, attracted by the value in used products One way or the other, Reverse Logistics has become a key competence in modern supply chains. In this paper, we present a content analysis of reverse logistics issues. Rommert DekkerErasmus University Rotterdam debrito@few.eur.nl, dekker@few.eur.nl Version April-2003Abstract Reverse Logistics has been stretching out worldwide, involving all the layers of supply chains in various industry sectors. While some actors in the chain have been forced to take products back, others have pro-actively done so, attracted by the value in used products. One way or the other, Reverse Logistics has become a key competence in modern supply chains. In this paper, we present a content analysis of reverse logistics issues. To do so, we propose a content framework focusing on the following questions with respect to reverse logistics: why? what? how ?; and, who?, i.e. driving forces and return reasons, what type of products are streaming back, how are they being recovered, and who is executing and managing the various operations. These four basic characteristics are interrelated and their combination determines to a large extent the type of issues arising from the resulting reverse logistics system.

Inventory control with product returns: The impact of imperfect information

“…Product returns appear virtually in all sorts of industries (De Brito and Dekker, 2004). Return intensities are relatively high for distant sellers, remanufacturing environments and for distribution items.…”

Análisis de puntos críticos en la cadena de suministro del PET post consumo en Argentina

“…Según De Brito & Dekker (2003), un estudio sobre reciclado debe centrarse en entender ¿por qué?, ¿qué?, ¿quién? y ¿cómo?…”

“…(de Brito & Dekker, 2003). La correcta gestión de este flujo de materiales es estudiada por la logística inversa.…”

Environmental Impact of Supply Chains

“…It is not enough for supply chains to merely introduce a reverse flow of goods, but they also need to be properly re-manufactured, disassembled or disposed of (Hoek, 1999). While reverse logistics can be seen as a part of sustainable development they differ from green logistics as that considers environmental aspects to all logistics activities and has been focused specifically on forward logistics (De Brito & Dekker, 2003).…”