Flexibility in Reverse Logistics: A Framework and Evaluation Approach
Chunguang April Bai · Academy of Management Proceedings · 2012
Reverse logistics (or reverse supply chain) has greater relative uncertainty when compared forward logistics and supply chain flows. One of the most effective ways to manage uncertainty and variance in operational and organizational systems is through greater flexibility. In this paper we bring attention to the fact that the literature on flexibility in reverse logistics is surprisingly sparse. To address this surprising gap we provide some background and development of a reverse logistics flexibility framework. An application of the framework to performance evaluation of third party reverse logistics providers using a novel neighborhood rough set approach exemplifies the utility of such a framework. This work sets the foundation for significant research in this underdeveloped field of investigation of reverse logistics.