Analyzing the Barriers to Reverse Logistics (RL) Implementation: A Hybrid Model Based on IF-DEMATEL-EDAS

Abstract

Recently, manufacturing companies aspire to implement reverse logistics in response to stakeholders’ requirements to reduce negative environmental consequences, improve organizational sustainable performance and ultimately increase competitive advantage. However, implementing reverse logistics can be impeded by a criteria framework, and necessitates the careful analysis of how such criteria interact with each other in the presence of uncertainty. Thus, in this study, we propose an integrated multi- criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology that leverages the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) under Intuitionistic Fuzzy (IF) environment and Evaluation Based on Distance to Average Solution (EDAS). Within the proposed methodology, firstly, the IF-DEMATEL is applied to obtain the interrelationships between the criteria/barriers and then, the EDAS method is applied to prioritize the criteria based on the appraisal scores evaluation. An application case within the Nigerian manufacturing sector was utilized to illustrate the viability of the proposed methodology. The study results indicate that the highly prioritized barriers to implementing reverse logistics within the Nigerian manufacturing sector include low product quality, risk of storing hazardous materials and low technical expertise. Consequently, this study makes a profound contribution to the theory and practice of reverse logistics by presenting an integrated MCDM methodology that can effectively address the criticality of barriers in the way of reverse logistics progression in a complex and uncertain scenario.

Sustainable supply chain clusters: an integrated framework

“…, 2013) and enhances value creation through innovation (Mikhaylov, 2013; Lu and Shin, 2018). This means that enhancing sustainability will give organisations a competitive edge (U-Dominic et al. , 2021), even under volatile market changes as organisations that focus on sustainability issues gain customer and investors’ trust and loyalty (Albuquerque et al ., 2019, 2020), as stakeholders are pressuring organisations to focus and sustainability issues (Munir et al.…”

“…Especially, that cluster activities raise environmental issues and harm the surrounding communities (UNIDO, 2016b), in addition, stakeholders are pressuring organizations to focus and sustainability issues (Munir et al, 2020). This means that enhancing sustainability will give organizations a competitive edge (U-Dominic et al, 2021), even under a volatile market changes as organizations that focus on sustainability issues gain customer and investors trust and loyalty (Albuquerque et al, 2019, Albuquerque et al, 2020.…”

Role of Reverse Logistics Activities in the Recycling of Used Plastic Bottled Water Waste Management

“…Recent studies [24][25][26][27] show that the distribution of packed bottled water to the Ethiopian domestic and international market is increasing at an alarming rate, as the community prefers bottled water to tap water. However, environmental experts and the country's regulations regarding the environment have raised the issue of environmental sustainability as the plastic water package is not eco-friendly.…”

“…Usually, most manufacturing firms such as the plastic industry cannot give due attention to reverse logistics processes, rather, they concentrate on forwarding logistics activities [24,44]. Environmental preservation is a joint program of business owners and governments in power both in developed and developing countries.…”

Organizational change towards Lean Six Sigma implementation in the manufacturing supply chain: an integrated approach

“…Indeed, the survival of the manufacturing organizations has been challenged by global competition, dynamic customer requirements and limited resources and thus necessitating the need for such organizations to adopt innovations such as LSS in their supply chains for expected change management benefits (Parmar and Desai, 2020). Moreover, the anticipated harsh impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the manufacturing supply chain of developing nations have become a reality (U-Dominic et al. , 2020).…”