Environmental management partner selection for reverse supply chain collaboration: A sustainable approach

Area of Science:

• Supply Chain Management
• Sustainability Studies
• Operations Research

Background:

• The Indian electronics industry faces pressure to adopt sustainable practices.
• Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly collaborating with third-party reverse logistics providers (3PRLPs) for sustainable returns management.
• This collaboration enhances OEM compliance, corporate image, and customer satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel framework for evaluating OEM performance attributes for sustainable collaboration.
• To identify key economic, environmental, and social sustainability attributes crucial for OEMs partnering with 3PRLPs.
• To develop a systematic approach for selecting collaborative partners in the reverse logistics sector.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) method for pre-evaluation of sustainability attributes.
• Employed the Best Worst Method (BWM) to prioritize shortlisted attributes.
• Developed a novel attribute selection process considering attribute importance and data collection difficulty.

Main Results:

• Identified and prioritized influential OEM attributes critical for sustainable collaboration.
• The study provides a validated framework for 3PRLPs to evaluate potential OEM partners.
• The proposed model enhances the selection of collaborative partners, improving supply chain sustainability.

Conclusions:

• The developed framework offers a robust method for selecting OEMs based on sustainability performance.
• This research aids decision-makers in enhancing supply chain sustainability through strategic partnerships.
• The findings are validated through a case study of an Indian 3PRLP in the electronics sector.