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Reverse Logistics in Urban Contexts: Challenges and Solutions
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Reverse Logistics in Urban Contexts: Challenges and Solutions

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 28573

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sergio Rubio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Industrial Engineering, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: reverse logistics; supply chain management; urban logistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Beatriz Jiménez-Parra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Management and Business Economics, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
Interests: circular economy; reverse logistics; urban logistics; strategic management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainability will publish a Special Issue focusing on relationships among Reverse Logistics and Urban Logistics and how both disciplines can jointly contribute in dealing with some issues currently affecting our cities, such as traffic congestion, noise, air pollution, and safety. Despite the growing interest shown in both logistics areas and their relevance for companies and consumers, reverse logistics and urban logistics are two concepts that are still somewhat unknown and, above all, treated as being relatively separate. However, certain areas exist wherein the two disciplines converge and that may therefore represent opportunities for collaboration, for example, in the proper treatment and management of urban waste, and the efficient management of commercial refunds and returns. In addition, other key issues, such as land use, city typology, infrastructures, and stakeholders’ engagement should be further analyzed in order to keep making progress in the description of links between both areas.

Recently, Rubio et al. (2019) described some relevant issues on this regard. Firstly, there are still significant challenges requiring further research, such as new opportunities related to product returns and different recovery options, development and implementation of specific strategies for selling recovered products, and issues related with a more specific legislation to be applied to product returns. Secondly, key aspects on urban logistics should be addressed in the near future, such as, for example: logistics planning in cities, collaboration among stakeholders, new collaborative ways of exchanging data and information, and the development of research areas related to, for example, energy efficiency, reducing noise and atmospheric pollution, and increasing the safety and protection of people and goods, among others.

The goal of this Special Issue is to compile state-of-the art research spanning modeling, theory, empirical studies, applications, and case studies on this topic. We seek contributions that are rigorously executed, clearly and succinctly written, addressing contemporary challenges.

References

Rubio, S., Jiménez-Parra, B., Chamorro-Mera, A., Miranda, F. J. Reverse Logistics and Urban Logistics: Making a Link. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5684; doi:10.3390/su11205684.

Dr. Sergio Rubio
Dr. Beatriz Jiménez-Parra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • reverse logistics
  • urban logistics
  • freight transport
  • waste management
  • commercial returns
  • stakeholders’ engagement
  • urban infrastructures

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 261 KiB  
Article
The Interaction Effect of Information Systems of Shipping and Logistics Firms and Managers’ Support for Blockchain Technology on Cooperation with Shippers for Sustainable Value Creation
by Hee-sung Bae
Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4493; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084493 - 17 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2599
Abstract
Firms apply new technology to value creation. In particular, blockchain technology increases transparency and stability of shipping and logistics firms and this is connected with a high level of collaboration with shippers. In this regard, the objective of this study is to verify [...] Read more.
Firms apply new technology to value creation. In particular, blockchain technology increases transparency and stability of shipping and logistics firms and this is connected with a high level of collaboration with shippers. In this regard, the objective of this study is to verify the interaction effect of information systems of shipping and logistics firms and managers’ support for blockchain technology on cooperation with shippers. To achieve the objective, this study identified variables based on prior research and analyzed the data collected by a survey. The results are as follows. First, information systems as a resource of shipping and logistics firms have a positive effect on cooperation with shippers. To enhance the strategic resource, they increase cooperation with shippers based on learning and logistics process improvement. Therefore, the relationship between the information systems and cooperation with shippers can be explained as a resource-based view. Second, there is the interaction effect of the information systems and managers’ support for blockchain technology on the cooperation and this can be explained as a resource-based view. Information systems are resources of shipping and logistics firms, and managers should encourage and reward staff for using new technology such as blockchains, followed by a high level of cooperation with shippers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reverse Logistics in Urban Contexts: Challenges and Solutions)
14 pages, 1140 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Medicine Reverse Logistics Practices in Hospitals
by Diego Pereira Ribeiro, Ualison Rébula de Oliveira, Aldara da Silva César and Vicente Aprigliano Fernandes
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3496; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063496 - 22 Mar 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5283
Abstract
Initiatives related to reverse logistics are increasingly common in companies that produce tires, lubricating oils, batteries, and electronic equipment, among others. In the pharmaceutical sector, reverse logistics is also relevant, contributing to reduce medication exposure to other people and the environment. Thus, this [...] Read more.
Initiatives related to reverse logistics are increasingly common in companies that produce tires, lubricating oils, batteries, and electronic equipment, among others. In the pharmaceutical sector, reverse logistics is also relevant, contributing to reduce medication exposure to other people and the environment. Thus, this research seeks to find out which practices related to reverse logistics are used in 13 hospitals in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Regarding the methodological procedures, this research is supported by interviews with those responsible for disposing of medicines from hospitals, and the best practices were ranked using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. Among the main difficulties for performing Medicine Reverse Logistics practices in hospitals, the absence of a standard process for medicine disposal and medications held by nurses or satellite pharmacies—for being out of control—stand out. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reverse Logistics in Urban Contexts: Challenges and Solutions)
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23 pages, 371 KiB  
Article
Green and Reverse Logistics in Conditions of Sustainable Development in Enterprises in Slovakia
by Patrik Richnák and Klaudia Gubová
Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020581 - 9 Jan 2021
Cited by 61 | Viewed by 9375
Abstract
The high quality of the environment, protection of natural resources, efficient use of natural resources, and elimination of environmental burdens are the main priorities of sustainable development. Therefore, enterprises around the world have to manage the environment wisely, while avoiding negative effects on [...] Read more.
The high quality of the environment, protection of natural resources, efficient use of natural resources, and elimination of environmental burdens are the main priorities of sustainable development. Therefore, enterprises around the world have to manage the environment wisely, while avoiding negative effects on it. The aim of the paper was to examine the use of green and reverse logistics in the conditions of sustainable development in enterprises in Slovakia. The intention of the paper was to provide a theoretical overview of green and reverse logistics at home and abroad on the basis of the elaboration of a scientific bibliographic-information apparatus. Subsequent practical implementation of the questionnaire research and statistical verification of research results provides a basis for practical recommendations and conclusions for enterprises operating in Slovakia. The research topic of the paper was green and reverse logistics in companies in Slovakia. The research problem was the implementation and use of modern logistics under the influence of the environment. Based on these facts, statistical hypotheses were determined and subsequently tested. Descriptive statistics and inference statistics were used to interpret the research results. Based on the research, we found that the dominant position in green and reverse logistics in Slovakia was achieved by large production enterprises from the automotive industry, which operate in western Slovakia. The analysed enterprises in Slovakia use voluntary tools of environmental policy and the most important environmental tool is corporate social responsibility. Elements of environmental policy are used primarily in the logistics process of warehousing and storage. The biggest barrier in the implementation of elements of environmental logistics analysed by enterprises is the lack of financial resources. The implementation of green logistics and reverse logistics enables the analysed enterprises in Slovakia to improve customer-supplier relations. We can say that despite the government’s efforts, measures to minimize the environmental impact and growing public awareness of environmental issues, environmental problems persist. Initiatives can be seen at the global and national levels of enterprises that make quick decisions and set up new processes in environmental management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reverse Logistics in Urban Contexts: Challenges and Solutions)
22 pages, 1833 KiB  
Article
An Insight into Reverse Logistics with a Focus on Collection Systems
by Mohammed Alkahtani, Aiman Ziout, Bashir Salah, Moath Alatefi, Abd Elatty E. Abd Elgawad, Ahmed Badwelan and Umar Syarif
Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020548 - 8 Jan 2021
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 10186
Abstract
Sustainable development is now the focus of researchers and organizations worldwide. Several concepts, such as reverse logistics (RLs) and closed-loop supply chains, have been introduced to encourage sustainability in supply chains. RLs refers to the set of activities needed by consumers to collect [...] Read more.
Sustainable development is now the focus of researchers and organizations worldwide. Several concepts, such as reverse logistics (RLs) and closed-loop supply chains, have been introduced to encourage sustainability in supply chains. RLs refers to the set of activities needed by consumers to collect the product used for reuse, repair, remanufacturing, recycling, or disposal of the used product. There are various processes involved in RL, and one of them is collection systems. Collection refers to a company obtaining custody of specific items. We review the literature on RLs collection systems. A bibliometric analysis was conducted to provide better insight into the field and establish any trends. Firstly, we present the classification methods used in the field, based on available review papers. Secondly, we evaluate literature from several fields that are related to either the problem setting or the technical features. Different perspectives are presented and classified. This method facilitates the identification of manuscripts related to the reader’s specific interests. Throughout the literature review, trends in measuring the performance of collection systems are identified, and directions for future research are identified and presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reverse Logistics in Urban Contexts: Challenges and Solutions)
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