Article: A grey-based decision-making approach for selecting a reverse logistics provider in a closed loop supply chain Journal: International Journal of Management and Decision Making (IJMDM) 2015 Vol.14 No.1 pp.32 - 43 Abstract: Return of used products is gaining great worldwide attention due to resource depletion, environmental degradation, government legislation, and public awareness. Nowadays, reverse logistics is considered very important for organisations to improve their environmental and financial performance. Therefore, industries are turning to third-party reverse logistics providers (3PRLPs) for reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing of their products. In this paper, a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model is developed to guide the selection process of best 3PRLP. The proposed hybrid methodology is based on analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and grey relational analysis for 3PRLP selection and evaluation. This paper uses grey numbers for expressing ambiguity of the real world data and subjectivity of decision makers' assessments and presents a grey possibility degree for ranking 3PRLPs. To validate the capability of the proposed model a numerical example is presented in an automotive industry. Finally, managerial implications and future research directions conclude the paper. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A grey-based decision-making approach for selecting a reverse logistics provider in a closed loop supply chain

Authors: Roohollah Khodaverdi; Seyed Hamid Hashemi

Addresses: Allame Tabataba'i University Business School (ATUBS), Tehran, Iran ' School of Management, Tehran University, Iran

Abstract: Return of used products is gaining great worldwide attention due to resource depletion, environmental degradation, government legislation, and public awareness. Nowadays, reverse logistics is considered very important for organisations to improve their environmental and financial performance. Therefore, industries are turning to third-party reverse logistics providers (3PRLPs) for reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing of their products. In this paper, a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model is developed to guide the selection process of best 3PRLP. The proposed hybrid methodology is based on analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and grey relational analysis for 3PRLP selection and evaluation. This paper uses grey numbers for expressing ambiguity of the real world data and subjectivity of decision makers' assessments and presents a grey possibility degree for ranking 3PRLPs. To validate the capability of the proposed model a numerical example is presented in an automotive industry. Finally, managerial implications and future research directions conclude the paper.

Keywords: third-party reverse logistics providers; 3PRLP; 3PL; closed loop supply chains; CLSC; grey relational analysis; GRA; supply chain management; SCM; product reuse; recycling; remanufacturing; multicriteria decision making; MCDM; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; logistics provider selection; logistics provider evaluation; automotive supply chains; automobile industry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMDM.2015.067376

International Journal of Management and Decision Making, 2015 Vol.14 No.1, pp.32 - 43

Received: 21 Jan 2014
Accepted: 06 May 2014
Published online: 07 Feb 2015 *

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Title: A grey-based decision-making approach for selecting a reverse logistics provider in a closed loop supply chain

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