Title: Information systems road map to enhance economic and operational reverse logistics performance

Authors: Ankit Mahindroo; Harsh Vardhan Samalia; Piyush Verma

Addresses: L.M. Thapar School of Management, Derabassi Campus, Thapar University, Village-Behra, Derabassi – 140507, Mohali, Punjab, India ' Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management, Nongthymmai, Shillong – 793014, Meghalaya, India ' L M Thapar School of Management, Derabassi Campus, Thapar University, Village-Behra, Derabassi – 140507, Mohali, Punjab, India

Abstract: Industry experts have realised the importance of implementing reverse logistics (RL) for gaining competitive advantage. Although not prominent in all kinds of industrial domains, RL is slowly becoming the factor which can lead towards organisational competitive advantage. With organisations constantly looking for greater profit margins and better operational performances, one way through which it can be achieved is through investments in information systems (IS). This study, through a series of regression analysis, makes an effort to create a road map by analysing relationships between selected IS constructs and the corresponding economic and operational performance measures, individually as well as in combination. The findings of the study reveal that IS used for value creating activities and logistical operations play a much greater role in improving overall RL performance, while the impact of each of the constructs individually on the economic and operational performance has been elaborated in the discussion section.

Keywords: reverse logistics; RL; information systems; supply chain; supply chain management; economic performance; operational performance; financial performance; transaction cost; partnership; value creation; system capability; regression analysis; multiple linear regression; MLR.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2018.089172

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2018 Vol.29 No.2, pp.215 - 240

Received: 10 Feb 2016
Accepted: 29 Sep 2016
Published online: 09 Jan 2018 *

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