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Reverse Logistics for Improved Circularity in Mass Customization Supply Chains

Abstract

Manufacturing companies that seek to improve circularity performance across the supply chain, face many challenges in the transition of traditional linear approaches into more circular supply chain models. Reverse logistics is a key area for reuse, recycling and refurbishment of products and materials, where collection and material handling are often critical barriers. This research identifies strategic aspects of reverse logistics in circular supply chains, with focus on mass customization. A literature review on reverse logistics and reverse supply chain management is carried out and used as a basis for a case study of a mass customization furniture manufacturer. Key aspects of a reverse logistics strategy in mass customization settings are discussed, considering supply chain, product and customer-related factors. The large variety of products often complicates collection, material handling and recovery processes after end-of-life. This study presents further insights to strategic reverse logistics aspects for improved circularity performance of mass customization manufacturers, for instance how modular product architectures across the product portfolio may be beneficial for increasing circularity.

Category

Academic chapter/article/Conference paper

Client

  • Research Council of Norway (RCN) / 309557
  • Research Council of Norway (RCN) / 282012
  • Research Council of Norway (RCN)

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • SINTEF Digital / Technology Management

Year

2022

Publisher

Springer

Book

Towards Sustainable Customization: Bridging Smart Products and Manufacturing Systems: Proceedings of the 8th Changeable, Agile, Reconfigurable and Virtual Production Conference (CARV2021) and the 10th World Mass Customization & Personalization Conference (MCPC2021), Aalborg, Denmark, October/November 2021

Issue

*

ISBN

978-3-030-90699-3

Page(s)

1031 - 1038

View this publication at Cristin