What is next? The effect of reverse logistics adoption on digitalization and inter-organizational collaboration

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to examine and understand the impact of reverse logistics adoption on firms' digitalization and collaboration activities. Specifically, leveraging the knowledge-based view, this study examines how adopting sustainable logistic practices (reverse logistics) prepares firms to embrace digitalization and encourages them to collaborate with other organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe study used longitudinal survey data from two waves (2017 and 2019) from the Mannheim Centre for European Economic Research. The authors used the negative binomial regression analyses to test the impact of reverse logistics adoption on the digitalization and inter-organizational collaboration dependent count variables.FindingsThe study's findings highlight the usefulness of reverse logistics in enabling digitalization and inter-organizational collaboration. The results show that the firms investing in sustainable supply chains will be better positioned to nurture digitalization and inter-organizational collaboration.Practical implicationsFor resource-bound managers, this study provides an important insight into prioritizing activities by highlighting how reverse logistics can facilitate digitalization and collaboration. The study demonstrates that the knowledge generated by reverse logistics adoption can be an essential pillar and enabler toward achieving firms' digitalization and collaboration goals.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to examine the effect of reverse logistics adoption on firm activities that are not strictly associated with the circular economy (digitalization and collaboration). Utilizing the knowledge-based view, this study reports on the additional benefits of reverse logistics implementation previously not discussed in the literature.

Guest editorial: (Un)physicalization (digitalization) of supply chain management

“…In this sense the present special issue offers six interesting and insightful research. Rasool et al (2023) adopt a knowledge-based view to analyze the impact of reverse logistics adoption on firms' digitalization and collaboration activities. This article entitled ‘What is next?…”

Digitalisation On Automotive Supply Chain for Climate Competitiveness: A Systematic Bibliometric Analysis

“…For example, the IoT sensors integrated into physical assets are used for tracking and monitoring in real-time terms of goods, inventories, or equipment (Aldrighetti et al, 2023). Advanced analytical tools process big data and provide valuable insights for decision-making (Rasool et al, 2023). Predictive analytics allows us to minimize risks and optimize efforts and expenditures throughout the entire supply chain (Seyedghorban et al, 2020).…”