Title: Testing the behaviour of different inventory control policies in case of extended reverse logistics by using simulation

Authors: Francesco Longo

Addresses: Modelling and Simulation Center, Laboratory of Enterprise Solutions (MSC-LES), University of Calabria, Ponte P. Bucci, Cubo 45 C, II Floor, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy

Abstract: Nowadays, sustainability issues are stressing the importance of the inventory management problem in case of reverse logistics. The aim of this article is twofold: first it provides the reader with an updated and exhaustive review of the most important inventory control policies to be used when dealing with products return (reverse logistics). Second, the article aims at comparing (by proposing an advanced simulation framework called IMPRES) the behaviour of different inventory control policies (in terms of supply chain costs) extending some of the models proposed in literature in different directions (i.e., disposal option available at any stage of the supply chain, stochastic manufacturing and remanufacturing lead times, multiple return options, multi-echelon inventory systems).

Keywords: reverse logistics; modelling; simulation; inventory management; supply chain management; SCM; inventory control; inventory policies; product returns; disposal options; stochastic manufacturing; remanufacturing lead times; multiple returns; multi-echelon inventory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2014.064390

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2014 Vol.9 No.3, pp.167 - 180

Received: 22 Jan 2013
Accepted: 01 Dec 2013
Published online: 16 Oct 2014 *

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