Selection of a reverse logistics project for end-of-life computers: ANP and goal programing approach

Abstract

Considering the key issues involved in environmental-friendly disposal of end-of-life (EOL) computer, its supply chain should be designed to incorporate the key dimensions of reverse logistics. An important managerial decision-making activity undertaken by reverse logistics managers is selection of feasible projects that could be completed according to the resources available. The reverse logistics project selection is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. While the experience and expertise of reverse logistics managers could work out for small sized projects, it might not be fruitful for multiple-criteria large sized reverse logistics in arriving at a proper decision related to selection of projects. The reverse logistics projects involve interdependencies among the criteria and the candidate reverse logistics projects. In this paper, a combination of analytical network process (ANP) and zero one goal programing (ZOGP) is used as solution methodologies to deal with the above problem. The ANP is used to determine the degree of interdependence among the criteria and candidate reverse logistics projects, while ZOGP permits the consideration of resource limitations and other constraints in arriving at the solution. The hybrid approach using ANP and ZOGP provides a realistic representation of the problem related to the selection of feasible reverse logistics for EOL computers.

Keywords:

• Reverse logistics
• Analytical network process
• Zero-one goal programming
• Multi-criteria decision-making
• Computer hardware industry

Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank the learned reviewers for their constructive comments and valuable suggestions for the improvement of the paper over its earlier version.