Analyzing the Barriers to Reverse Logistics (RL) Implementation: A Hybrid Model Based on IF-DEMATEL-EDAS

Chukwuebuka M. U-Dominic, Ifeyinwa Juliet Orji and Modestus Okwu
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Chukwuebuka M. U-Dominic: Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka 5025, Nigeria
Ifeyinwa Juliet Orji: Research Center for Smarter Supply Chain, School of Business, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
Modestus Okwu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun 330102, Nigeria

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-24

Abstract: Recently, manufacturing companies aspire to implement reverse logistics in response to stakeholders’ requirements to reduce negative environmental consequences, improve organizational sustainable performance and ultimately increase competitive advantage. However, implementing reverse logistics can be impeded by a criteria framework, and necessitates the careful analysis of how such criteria interact with each other in the presence of uncertainty. Thus, in this study, we propose an integrated multi- criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology that leverages the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) under Intuitionistic Fuzzy (IF) environment and Evaluation Based on Distance to Average Solution (EDAS). Within the proposed methodology, firstly, the IF-DEMATEL is applied to obtain the interrelationships between the criteria/barriers and then, the EDAS method is applied to prioritize the criteria based on the appraisal scores evaluation. An application case within the Nigerian manufacturing sector was utilized to illustrate the viability of the proposed methodology. The study results indicate that the highly prioritized barriers to implementing reverse logistics within the Nigerian manufacturing sector include low product quality, risk of storing hazardous materials and low technical expertise. Consequently, this study makes a profound contribution to the theory and practice of reverse logistics by presenting an integrated MCDM methodology that can effectively address the criticality of barriers in the way of reverse logistics progression in a complex and uncertain scenario.

Keywords: reverse logistics; multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM); barriers; IF-DEMATEL; EDAS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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