Collaboration in reverse: a conceptual framework for reverse logistics operations

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present the research carried out on the development of a conceptual framework termed as the reverse collaboration framework (RCF) to provide supply chain (SC) visibility and information sharing to practitioners in a reverse logistics (RL) operations. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology used in this research is a combination of concept mapping, and the extension of the work of other researchers (deductive approach) to develop a RCF that connects tools, techniques, systems and RL processes. Findings This research shows that by integrating tools, systems, tools and techniques with RL processes by means of the RCF will increase performance and productivity of a RL operations. This is demonstrated by applying the RCF to a consumer electronics business that proves that the time taken for the end to end RL operations is reduced by 20%. Research limitations/implications The RCF has been demonstrated with the data from a consumer electronics organisation. Literature points out that there are many different mathematical models for RL across a number of industries. Thus, at this stage, it is not clear if the RCF developed in this research will work in other industries, such as the newspaper, plastic bottles and online retailers industry where product returns are high. This research work can be extended in developing an IT solution by future researchers that can be linked to the main ERP system of an organisation. Practical implications SC managers can use the RCF in the extended form of an IT solution to manage the RL operations of their organisations. Originality/value There is a lack of research in the space of reverse collaboration in the broader field of SC management. This paper has fulfilled that gap.

Is It Possible to Manage the Product Recovery Processes in an ERP? Analysis of Functional Needs

“…More recent, and more related to our research, is the reverse collaboration framework (RCF) presented in [19]. The RCF proposed connects tools, techniques, systems and RL processes.…”

“…This module can manage the return of products with different options, and for the case study in a servicing organization in the health care sector is very useful [20]. Nevertheless, although some RL activities can be managed in an ERP in isolation [20], there are no appropriate ERP's to the RL management in an integrated way [3][4][5]19,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…Lack of suitable IS for RL is identified in [3] as one of the main barriers to adopt it. More recently [19] indicates that no suitable IS exist to manage product recovery processes and to meet the involved socio-environmental obligations.…”

“…These differences mean that RL management implies a series of specific characteristics that do not take place in DL management. Therefore, RL has been the object of many research works in recent years [19]. Literature reviews in this domain are found which classify research works according to the point of view from which RL is investigated [32,41] and more recently [2].…”

A logística reversa em uma indústria alimentícia: estudo de caso

“…O tema tornou-se peça-chave e de grande importância quando se trata de gerenciamento de uma cadeia de suprimentos, pois a mesma se relaciona com o planejamento, implementação e controle de forma eficiente do fluxo e armazenamento de bens, serviços e informações, entre o ponto de origem até o ponto de consumo, com a finalidade de atender às necessidades e exigências dos clientes. Bowersox et al (2013) e Mahadevan (2019), comentam que a logística envolve as várias etapas do processo produtivo, desde o fluxo e armazenagem de matéria-prima, como também os fluxos de produtos e informações através de seus canais de marketing, entregando seus produtos ao consumidor com custos reduzidos, aumentando sua lucratividade e, consequentemente, alcançando um gerenciamento de todos os fluxos do processo, elevando a satisfação dos clientes.…”