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Scientific Article details

Title Closed-loop supply chains: a guide to theory and practice
ID_Doc 68242
Authors Difrancesco, RM; Huchzermeier, A
Title Closed-loop supply chains: a guide to theory and practice
Year 2016
Published International Journal Of Logistics-Research And Applications, 19, 5
DOI 10.1080/13675567.2015.1116503
Abstract During the last decades, attention to the environment has grown substantially. A remarkable and significant trend has been the recognition of the strategic importance of reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) as a consequence of the Directive on Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment. In this paper, we analyse the transformation from an open-loop supply chain' to a closed-loop supply chain'. Our aim is to guide the reader through the main aspects of both theory and practice in CLSCs: starting from the existing literature, we adopt a broader approach and define the guidelines for managers to follow in the supply chain decision process. Assuming a producer responsibility perspective, we pay a special attention to some of the most important sustainable strategic decisions that a company has to face in order to implement and effectively manage the CLSC: (i) location-allocation, (ii) returns collection, (iii) inventory control of returns, (iv) returns grading and (v) performance management of CLSC. We describe each typology of problems, their mathematical formulations and the implications through both an environment and business perspective. We highlight the managerial implication and then underline the limits of the current literature, and define future directions for research to explore.
Author Keywords Reverse logistics; closed-loop supply chains design; customer returns; inventory control; returns grading; sustainability
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000381382900007
WoS Category Management
Research Area Business & Economics
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