Reverse logistics is a concept that has become more and more popular during the last decades. According to Fleischmann it is defined as follows:
"Reverse Logistics is the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, effective inbound flow and storage of secondary goods and related information opposite to the traditional supply chain direction for the purpose of recovering value or proper disposal."1
The drivers for this development can be found in three areas, namely the environment, the logistics and the customers.
The environment is mostly represented by governments or the European Union that make regulations to guard it because there is an urgent need for protection like the increasing waste problems show.
The companies with their major goal of making profit try to be as efficient and effective as possible and like to put the lever on logistics that provides good qualifications to reach this goal.
Last but not least the customers with their buying behaviour and expectation of a healthy, sustainable environment for them and the next generations put also a certain pressure on reverse logistics systems.
These fields chosen for study are often discussed separately. For example in most of the books about Supply Chain Management or Logistics Management there is at least one paragraph explaining the definition of reverse logistics and sometimes also the activities appearing within reverse logistics like collecting, handling, cleaning, refilling or redistribution. However, very seldom there is information given about the governmental regulations influencing these activities. Otherwise, there are many law books providing all of the information the government and European Union suppose the companies active in reverse logistics systems to know, but the logistical needs and the customers′ position is not paid attention to. Furthermore, there is lots of marketing literature concerning the customers′ attitude towards recycling, but again rather independently from governmental regulation and logistics in most cases. Up to now there has not really been done much research about reverse logistics systems in general and the factors that are influencing this system.
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.2 Problemising
1.3 Objectives
1.4 Limitations
1.5 Theoretical and Practical Relevance
1.5.1. Theoretical Relevance
1.5.2. Practical relevance
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1. Pre-understanding
2.1.1. General knowledge
2.1.2. Specific knowledge
2.1.3. Personal attributes
2.2. Research Journey
2.3. Scientific Perspective
2.4. Research approach
2.5. Research strategy
2.6. Data collection
2.7. Value of the study
2.7.1. Construct and external validity
2.7.2. Internal validity
2.7.3. Reliability
3. THEORY
3.1. Environmental perspective – Governmental Regulation
3.1.1. The notion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
3.1.2. The EU and the Swedish Waste Policy
3.1.3. EU and Swedish Regulations and Measures
3.1.4. Material Aspects
3.2. Logistics’ perspective
3.2.1. Categories of reverse logistics flows
3.2.2. Logistics perspectives
3.2.3. Supply Chain versus Recovery Chain
3.3. Customers’ perspective
3.3.1. Customer’s options
3.3.2. The price as principle of choice
3.3.3. The role of the design of bottles and cans
3.3.4. Customers’ impact
4. EMPIRICAL DATA
4.1. Carlsberg AB
4.2. Coca-Cola Drycker Sverige AB
4.3. Customer Survey
5. ANALYSIS
5.1. Environmental perspective
5.1.1. The influence of environmental perspective on strategical logistics
5.1.2. The influence of environmental perspective on operational logistics
5.2. Logistics’ perspective
5.2.1. Strategical logistics
5.2.2. Operational logistics
5.3. Customers’ perspective
5.3.1. Position of the customer
5.3.2. Results of the survey
6. CONCLUSION
7. LIST OF REFERENCES
7.1. Literature
7.2. Websites
8. APPENDIX
Research Objectives and Focus
The primary objective of this thesis is to explore and analyze how environmental regulations, logistics management, and customer behavior collectively influence the reverse logistics system within the Swedish beverage industry.
- The impact of governmental and EU environmental regulations on packaging strategies.
- Logistical challenges and strategies in managing reverse flows and material recovery.
- Customer attitudes, buying behavior, and their role as "co-producers" in the return system.
- Operational logistics practices at major companies like Carlsberg AB and Coca-Cola Drycker Sverige AB.
- The trade-off between packaging efficiency, customer convenience, and environmental impact.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1. The notion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
In general, the society has a negative view on packaging and it is also seen as a necessary evil among managers in industry and trade as well as among politicians. Packaging has become a symbol of waste and misuse of resources. “In the future we should see more legislation and policy related to safety and the environment that will affect the design and operation of logistics systems.”
This common negative view is also frequently communicated in media. Anna Lindh, former Swedish Minister of Environment once stated: “… We have something like 35 billion packages in Sweden. We do not need 35 billion packages. Hence, we would like very much to reduce the number of packages… . The producers shall be made responsible in order to realise that they should stop manufacture packaging, i.e. to do the right thing.” (free translation, the Swedish national public service TV morning news broadcast, Rapport morgon, SVT2, 1996-03-12)
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Outlines the background of the study, the rising significance of waste management, and defines the research question regarding reverse logistics in the Swedish beverage industry.
2. METHODOLOGY: Details the research strategy, including the inductive approach, the use of case studies, and the method of data collection through industry interviews and a customer survey.
3. THEORY: Explains the environmental, logistical, and customer-related perspectives, including the role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the characteristics of different beverage packaging materials.
4. EMPIRICAL DATA: Presents organizational information and practical reverse logistics processes from Carlsberg AB and Coca-Cola Drycker Sverige AB, alongside findings from the customer survey.
5. ANALYSIS: Confronts the theoretical framework with the gathered empirical data, evaluating how companies manage environmental requirements and customer preferences within their operational and strategical logistics.
6. CONCLUSION: Synthesizes findings, confirms that governmental regulations are the primary driver of reverse logistics, and discusses the limited but significant role of customer behavior.
Keywords
Reverse Logistics, Swedish Beverage Industry, Environmental Regulation, Extended Producer Responsibility, Packaging, Recycling, PET Bottles, Logistics Management, Customer Behavior, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Deposit System, Waste Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the drivers—specifically environmental regulations, logistics, and customer perspectives—that shape and influence the reverse logistics systems within the Swedish beverage industry.
What are the central themes of the work?
The themes include the mandatory nature of producer responsibility, the logistical transition toward new packaging materials like PET, and the influence of customer convenience and quality perception on system performance.
What is the primary research question?
The research asks: "How is the environmental, logistics’ and customers’ perspective influencing the reverse logistics system of the Swedish beverage industry?"
Which scientific method is applied?
The study utilizes an inductive, qualitative case study approach, combining literature review with primary empirical data from corporate interviews and a customer survey.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the theoretical background of reverse logistics, the regulatory framework in Sweden and the EU, individual company operations (Carlsberg and Coca-Cola), and an analysis of how these elements interact.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Reverse Logistics, Extended Producer Responsibility, PET packaging, and the integration of customer return behavior.
How do customers act as "co-producers" in the industry?
Customers act as co-producers because the reverse logistics system depends entirely on their willingness to return empties; without this participation, the system for recycling and reuse would collapse.
How did the research address the "value" of reverse logistics?
The authors initially aimed to study how reverse logistics adds financial value, but found that due to strict governmental regulations, the focus shifted toward analyzing how companies react to these constraints, often resulting in increased costs rather than direct profit.
- Quote paper
- S. Wemken (Author), B. Hiebl (Author), R. Seenivasa-Pillai (Author), 2004, How is the environmental, logistics' and customers' perspective influencing the reverse logistics system of the Swedish beverage industry?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22958
