The effect of returns volume uncertainty on the dynamic performance of closed-loop supply chains

Ponte, Borja, Naim, Mohamed ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3361-9400 and Syntetos, Argyrios ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4639-0756 2020. The effect of returns volume uncertainty on the dynamic performance of closed-loop supply chains. Journal of Remanufacturing 10 , pp. 1-14. 10.1007/s13243-019-00070-x

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Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of a hybrid manufacturing/remanufacturing system (HMRS) by exploring the impact of the average return yield and uncertainty in returns volume. Through modelling and simulation techniques, we measure the long-term variability of end-product inventories and orders issued, given its negative impact on the operational performance of supply chains, as well as the average net stock and the average backlog, in order to consider the key trade-off between service level and holding requirements. In this regard, prior studies have observed that returns may positively impact the dynamic behaviour of the HMRS. We demonstrate that this occurs as long as the intrinsic uncertainty in the volume of returns is low —increasing the return yield results in decreased fluctuations in production, which enhances the operation of the closed-loop system. Interestingly, we observe a U-shaped relationship between the inventory performance and the return yield. However, the dynamics of the supply chain may significantly suffer from returns volume uncertainty through the damaging Bullwhip phenomenon. Under this scenario, the relationship between the average return yield and the intrinsic returns volume variability determines the operational performance of closed-loop supply chains in comparison with traditional (open-loop) systems. In this sense, this research adds to the still very limited literature on the dynamic behaviour of closed-loop supply chains, whose importance is enormously growing in the current production model evolving from a linear to a circular architecture.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics) Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Systems At Cardiff (CAMSAC)
Publisher:	Springer
ISSN:	2210-4690
Funders:	EPSRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	6 March 2019
Date of Acceptance:	12 February 2019
Last Modified:	23 May 2024 07:16
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/120276

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