Learning from Returned Products in a Closed Loop Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review

Ilkka Ritola, Harold Krikke and Marjolein Caniëls
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Ilkka Ritola: Faculty of Management Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, P.O. Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands
Harold Krikke: Faculty of Management Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, P.O. Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands

Logistics, 2020, vol. 4, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Product returns are a source of valuable information that can be used by firms and supply chains to improve products, services, and decision making. However, firms are struggling to maximize the value of this information, and the extant scholarly literature is scattered among various research streams. Using a systematic literature review, the state-of-the-art of product returns informational value research and limitations in the current body of work were examined and future directions for research suggested. Three types of informational value were identified, namely operational information, product related information, and customer-related information, along with four value-creating factors, namely strategic information system (IS) decisions, organizational learning, information sharing, and technological solutions. Implications for practitioners are discussed. Lastly, the limitations are discussed, along with recommendations and directions for future research work.

Keywords: closed loop supply chain; circular economy; reverse logistics; product returns; organizational learning; knowledge management; information systems; innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L8 L80 L81 L86 L87 L9 L90 L91 L92 L93 L98 L99 M1 M10 M11 M16 M19 R4 R40 R41 R49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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