Article: A modelling framework of reverse logistics practices in the Colombian plastic sector Journal: International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering (IJISE) 2013 Vol.13 No.3 pp.364 - 387 Abstract: The development of the logistics sector among the last decades has allowed the growth of organisational competitive advantages through the concept of reverse logistics (RL). As part of the supply chain management, this concept allows the efficient and effective management of product recycling once their life cycle is finished. Although the practice of RL is part of a sustainable strategy for the management of the supply chain, there is no much literature about its practice in Colombia. In this context, this paper is a first research approach of RL practices in Colombian enterprises, with a particular focus on the plastic sector. After a first analysis of the definitions of RL, some conceptual models are presented for the companies under study. This paper then analyses the results of an exploratory study of RL practices within the Colombian plastic sector. Results of this study are discussed and suggestions to decrease a negative impact on the environment are presented. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A modelling framework of reverse logistics practices in the Colombian plastic sector

Authors: Ana Ximena Halabi; Jairo R. Montoya-Torres; D. Carolina Pirachicán; Diana Mejía

Addresses: Escuela Internacional de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de La Sabana, km 7 autopista norte de Bogotá, Chía (Cundinamarca), Colombia; Department of Computing, Macquarie University, Sydney NSW 2109, Australia ' Escuela Internacional de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de La Sabana, km 7 autopista norte de Bogotá, Chía (Cundinamarca), Colombia ' Escuela Internacional de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de La Sabana, km 7 autopista norte de Bogotá, Chía (Cundinamarca), Colombia ' Escuela Internacional de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de La Sabana, km 7 autopista norte de Bogotá, Chía (Cundinamarca), Colombia

Abstract: The development of the logistics sector among the last decades has allowed the growth of organisational competitive advantages through the concept of reverse logistics (RL). As part of the supply chain management, this concept allows the efficient and effective management of product recycling once their life cycle is finished. Although the practice of RL is part of a sustainable strategy for the management of the supply chain, there is no much literature about its practice in Colombia. In this context, this paper is a first research approach of RL practices in Colombian enterprises, with a particular focus on the plastic sector. After a first analysis of the definitions of RL, some conceptual models are presented for the companies under study. This paper then analyses the results of an exploratory study of RL practices within the Colombian plastic sector. Results of this study are discussed and suggestions to decrease a negative impact on the environment are presented.

Keywords: reverse logistics; sustainability; plastics sector; case study; Colombia; modelling; sustainable development; product recycling; end-of-life products; EOL; environmental impact.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISE.2013.052282

International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2013 Vol.13 No.3, pp.364 - 387

Published online: 27 Dec 2013 *

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Title: A modelling framework of reverse logistics practices in the Colombian plastic sector

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