Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS Technique

<i>Background</i>: The wide variety of terms that converge in reverse logistics have been more evident and discussed in the current context of the literature, such as reverse channels, reverse supply chain, closed-loop supply chain, and circular supply chain. Regarding this, this paper a...

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Main Authors: Vitor William Batista Martins, Denilson Ricardo de Lucena Nunes, André Cristiano Silva Melo, Rayra Brandão, Antônio Erlindo Braga Júnior, Verônica de Menezes Nascimento Nagata
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Logistics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/6/3/60
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author Vitor William Batista Martins
Denilson Ricardo de Lucena Nunes
André Cristiano Silva Melo
Rayra Brandão
Antônio Erlindo Braga Júnior
Verônica de Menezes Nascimento Nagata
author_facet Vitor William Batista Martins
Denilson Ricardo de Lucena Nunes
André Cristiano Silva Melo
Rayra Brandão
Antônio Erlindo Braga Júnior
Verônica de Menezes Nascimento Nagata
author_sort Vitor William Batista Martins
collection DOAJ
description <i>Background</i>: The wide variety of terms that converge in reverse logistics have been more evident and discussed in the current context of the literature, such as reverse channels, reverse supply chain, closed-loop supply chain, and circular supply chain. Regarding this, this paper aimed to investigate the level of uncertainty about the activities that make up the Reverse Logistics process in the opinion of professionals working in this area in Brazil, to develop a discussion relating to the sustainable development goals proposed by the UN and their importance for the future of logistics networks. <i>Methods</i>: Initially, through a detailed systematic review of the literature, the activities that make up the RL processes were identified. Then, a questionnaire was elaborated on regarding such activities, and a survey was developed with professionals in the area. The data obtained were analyzed through a descriptive analysis of means, calculation of Cronbach’s Alpha, and using the multicriteria decision technique TOPSIS. <i>Results</i>: It is possible to see that professionals involved with RL processes in Brazil still have many doubts regarding which activities belong to the RL process. In the opinion of Brazilian professionals, 10 of these activities have generated high levels of uncertainties about their belonging or not to the RL process. On the other hand, with a low level of uncertainty, 3 activities were not considered and 3 were considered to make up the RL process. <i>Conclusions</i>: It is believed that this study can contribute to the generation of knowledge by comparing basic information in the scientific literature with the practical knowledge of professionals belonging to the reverse logistics sector working in the Brazilian context.
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spelling doaj-art-29995e88aeca46a6b2a608d9a136a4e62025-08-20T02:37:36ZengMDPI AGLogistics2305-62902022-08-01636010.3390/logistics6030060Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS TechniqueVitor William Batista Martins0Denilson Ricardo de Lucena Nunes1André Cristiano Silva Melo2Rayra Brandão3Antônio Erlindo Braga Júnior4Verônica de Menezes Nascimento Nagata5Postgraduate Program in Technology, Natural Resources and Sustainability in the Amazon (PPGTEC/CCNT/UEPA), Department of Production Engineering, State University of Pará, Belém 66095-015, BrazilDepartment of Production Engineering, State University of Pará, Castanhal 68745-000, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Technology, Natural Resources and Sustainability in the Amazon (PPGTEC/CCNT/UEPA), Department of Production Engineering, State University of Pará, Belém 66095-015, BrazilDepartment Administration Course, Federal Rural University of The Amazon, Tomé-Açu 68680-000, BrazilDepartment of Industrial Design, State University of Pará, Belém 66095-015, BrazilDepartment of Production Engineering, State University of Pará, Belém 66095-015, Brazil<i>Background</i>: The wide variety of terms that converge in reverse logistics have been more evident and discussed in the current context of the literature, such as reverse channels, reverse supply chain, closed-loop supply chain, and circular supply chain. Regarding this, this paper aimed to investigate the level of uncertainty about the activities that make up the Reverse Logistics process in the opinion of professionals working in this area in Brazil, to develop a discussion relating to the sustainable development goals proposed by the UN and their importance for the future of logistics networks. <i>Methods</i>: Initially, through a detailed systematic review of the literature, the activities that make up the RL processes were identified. Then, a questionnaire was elaborated on regarding such activities, and a survey was developed with professionals in the area. The data obtained were analyzed through a descriptive analysis of means, calculation of Cronbach’s Alpha, and using the multicriteria decision technique TOPSIS. <i>Results</i>: It is possible to see that professionals involved with RL processes in Brazil still have many doubts regarding which activities belong to the RL process. In the opinion of Brazilian professionals, 10 of these activities have generated high levels of uncertainties about their belonging or not to the RL process. On the other hand, with a low level of uncertainty, 3 activities were not considered and 3 were considered to make up the RL process. <i>Conclusions</i>: It is believed that this study can contribute to the generation of knowledge by comparing basic information in the scientific literature with the practical knowledge of professionals belonging to the reverse logistics sector working in the Brazilian context.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/6/3/60reverse logisticsreverse logistics activitiessustainable developmentTOPSIS
spellingShingle Vitor William Batista Martins
Denilson Ricardo de Lucena Nunes
André Cristiano Silva Melo
Rayra Brandão
Antônio Erlindo Braga Júnior
Verônica de Menezes Nascimento Nagata
Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS Technique
Logistics
reverse logistics
reverse logistics activities
sustainable development
TOPSIS
title Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS Technique
title_full Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS Technique
title_fullStr Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS Technique
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS Technique
title_short Analysis of the Activities That Make Up the Reverse Logistics Processes and Their Importance for the Future of Logistics Networks: An Exploratory Study Using the TOPSIS Technique
title_sort analysis of the activities that make up the reverse logistics processes and their importance for the future of logistics networks an exploratory study using the topsis technique
topic reverse logistics
reverse logistics activities
sustainable development
TOPSIS
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6290/6/3/60
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