Reverse Logistics As a Way To a Sustainable Transformation In Organizations: A Literature Review

Abstract

Currently, the global growth of logistics costs and socio-environmental problems are upward trends. In line with this, reverse logistics is a tool with great potential, as it is a viable alternative to respond to this problem. In this sense, the present research work aims to analyze, compare, and interrelate the existing literature regarding reverse logistics as a solution to the problem posed. For this, a review of the concepts of supply chain, reverse logistics, costs, environmental impact, corporate social reputation, among other concepts was carried out. Then, through the methodology of the systematic review of the literature, the results obtained from the analysis of a universe of thirty papers will be displayed. After the analysis is carried out, the literature behavior and trends will be exposed through the classification of the studies in fourteen categories, with special emphasis on the main benefits found when applying reverse logistics in companies, the most recurrent being the following: socio-environmental, economic, and commercial benefits. These are observed in multiple types of companies, sectors, and geographical spaces. Among them, industrial-type companies stand out in the retail, electronics, and construction sectors in the geographical area of Asia. This showed that the application of reverse logistics is viable, being an ideal path for a sustainable transformation towards more efficient and environmentally friendly operations.