Knowledge management and ICT support in reverse logistics
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | IFKAD 2015: 10TH INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON KNOWLEDGE ASSET DYNAMICS: CULTURE, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP: CONNECTING THE KNOWLEDGE DOTS |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Management and administrative |
| Keywords | Knowledge management; information systems; ICT; evaluation; reverse logistics |
| Description | This article reports findings from an exploratory quantitative survey concerning knowledge management (KM) and ICT support of reverse logistics (RL) processes. This study focuses on ICT support RL processes, the extent of the support, and the role KM plays in RL. This study is based on explorative statistical analysis of results of quantitative survey gathered from 55 Czech and Slovak companies. Cross-sectional sampling was utilized in order to gather the most various answers. This study tries to enhance the scattered knowledge about these aspects and simultaneously provide suggestions for further (qualitative) research by exploring the reasons, why companies in the RL field do not know or not employ evaluation methods, why they do not focus on knowledge management and how they are measuring the performance of RL. First, the data confirmed that the larger the company is the more developed ICT support it has. Second, evaluation of ICT support of RL processes was reported in less than half of the cases. Third, most companies do not perceive significant barriers regarding implementation of ICT support of RL processes. Fourth, companies that have implemented ERP systems report the support of ERPs as effective. Fifth, some approaches to ICT evaluation positively correlate with the level of KM development. Although the companies do not perceive the barriers of ICT support implementation, the effectiveness of such support is perceived positively. This can be caused by low penetration of ICT evaluation. Therefore, the practical implication of these findings for the companies involved in reverse supply chain is to implement knowledge management and ICT evaluation methods in order to gather the knowledge about RL and to be able to make decisions about investment in RL ICT support with proper information. |
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