Title: Some reasons to implement reverse logistics in companies

Authors: Caroline Rodrigues Vaz; Bernard Grabot; Mauricio Uriona Maldonado; Paulo Mauricio Selig

Addresses: Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC, Campus Universitário Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n – Trindade Florianópolis – Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Brasil ' University of Toulouse, ENI de Tarbes, 47, Avenue d'Azereix, BP 1629 – 65016 Tarbes Cedex, France ' Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC, Campus Universitário Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n – Trindade Florianópolis – Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Brasil ' Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC, Campus Universitário Reitor João David Ferreira Lima, s/n – Trindade Florianópolis – Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Brasil

Abstract: This article aims to present a reflexion on some of the main reasons for companies to implement reverse logistics processes. Companies have difficulties in implementing reverse logistics as part of their business processes due to high cost of implementation and due to difficulties in measuring material returns. However, companies that have succeeded in implementing it have increased their competitiveness and improved their corporate image. This paper proposes six critical success factors for the implementation of reverse logistics: good income control, standardised and mapped processes, reduced time cycle, information systems, planned logistic grid and collaborative relations between customers and suppliers. Well-structured and implemented reverse logistics process brings up benefits and advantages to companies, beyond environmental ones.

Keywords: reverse logistics; waste management; implementation process; corporate social responsibility; CSR; environmental management; environmental technology; critical success factors; CSFs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2013.059447

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2013 Vol.16 No.5/6, pp.467 - 479

Received: 05 Aug 2013
Accepted: 04 Sep 2013
Published online: 17 Sep 2014 *

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