Title: The success of reverse logistics in supporting the environment: the case of the computer industry

Authors: Seyed-Mahmoud Aghazadeh

Addresses: Department of Business Administration, School of Business, State University of New York, Fredonia, NY 14063, USA

Abstract: Reverse logistics deals with the movement of products from consumers back to the producers. It is the process of collecting these used products, breaking them down into their initial components and distributing them to be reused, recycled or disposed of. The remanufacturing of used products has become accepted and identified as an advantage for corporations. This paper provides content analysis of scientific literature written on the topic of reverse logistics. In addition, we provide an overview of particular issues such as the environmental and economic benefits, the relevant costs incurred and savings, location, transportation and third-party demanufacturing. Furthermore, this study provides examples of how Dell and IBM have implemented reverse logistics in their corporations. Computer companies are one such industry, which reverse logistics has had an impact on. Research has shown that the use of reverse logistics has created a competitive advantage for companies.

Keywords: reverse logistics; supply chain management; third-party manufacturing; customers satisfaction; environmental responsibility; third-party demanufacturing; SCM; computer industry; Dell; IBM; competitive advantage.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2008.022389

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2008 Vol.7 No.4, pp.452 - 464

Published online: 02 Jan 2009 *

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