Title: Developments in the recycling industry and the growth of product stewardship: the role of enterprise information systems

Authors: Harold M. Schroeder

Addresses: Schroeder & Schroeder Inc., 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1W7, Canada

Abstract: This article discusses the growth of product stewardship as the dominant business model for recycling, and examines some of the issues and challenges faced by product stewardship organisations. It highlights the crucial role of information in contributing to the success of product stewardship and argues that enterprise information systems, widely used in large companies but not yet in the context of recycling, provide the types of functionality needed to support this form of business activity. Examples are provided of some specific areas of activity in product stewardship that can be well supported by an enterprise information system. Finally, some potential problems and challenges in IES implementation are discussed and conclusions are drawn regarding the case for the use of this type of information system in product stewardship.

Keywords: product lifecycle management; PLM; product stewardship; recycling; enterprise information systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLM.2012.046441

International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 2012 Vol.6 No.1, pp.65 - 78

Accepted: 07 Feb 2012
Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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