The Mediating Effects of Green Product Design on Economic Performance of Reverse Logistics: A Conceptual Study

Abstract

The dwindling of natural resources and higher demand for landfill space fuelled the concept of sustainable consumption. For decades, buy and throwaway society created a string of negative environmental consequences and a positive change is taking place as developed nations take the lead in closing the supply chain loop via extended producer responsibility (EPR). Returns with higher residual value deserve attention because extending the useful life of equipment which underperformed earlier than expected generates an array of business benefits. The viability of reverse logistics activities depended on the effectiveness of reclaiming valuable constituents for reuse in as-new or used equipments. Drawing on the interests of sustainable development, this study investigates the mediating effect of green product design on the economic performance of reverse logistics among electrical and electronic (E&E) manufacturing firms in Malaysia. While ecodesign and reverse logistics were analyzed as components of green supply chain management in previous studies, this study intend to affirm the role of green product design particularly design for disassembly (DfD) and design for the environment (DfE) on the economic performance of reverse logistics. Since the characteristics of product design exert profound impact on waste minimization and elimination, this conceptual paper present a series of propositions to guide future empirical investigations in examining the relationships between reverse logistics and green design aspects on economic performance.

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Author Information
Kuan-Siew Khor, Sunway University Business School, Malaysia
Thurasamy Ramayah, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Yong-Keong William Eng , Sunway University Business School, Malaysia
Haniruzila Hanifah, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

• Category: Technology and Society – Green Computing: ICT, Sustainability, Energy and the Environment

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

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