Title: Reverse logistics network design: a review on strategic perspective

Authors: K.M. Mahaboob Sheriff; Angappa Gunasekaran; Subramanian Nachiappan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sethu Institute of Technology, Virudhunagar District 626 115, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Decision and Information Sciences, Charlton College of Business, University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300, USA ' Nottingham University Business School China, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo 315 100, China

Abstract: Reverse Logistics (RL) is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow of obsolete materials referred to here as raw material, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal. The objective of this paper is to develop a framework to classify the various issues/parameters affecting strategic level decisions in RL and also to explore future research opportunities. The review serves as a guide to practitioners on the model and methodologies available to support better strategic level decisions in RL and reveals the potential scope of research for academics.

Keywords: reverse logistics; location-allocation; network design; mathematical modelling; logistics networks.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2012.047220

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2012 Vol.12 No.2, pp.171 - 194

Published online: 28 Nov 2014 *

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