Identification of knowledge gaps in reverse logistics
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2016 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | IFKAD 2016 11th International Forum on Knowledge Asset Dynamics |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Management and administrative |
| Keywords | reverse flows; systematic innovative thinking; problem solvin; ASIT; SCAMPER |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Purpose – Although the current body of research documented the link between knowledge management and reverse logistics effectiveness, it remains unknown, which aspects of reverse logistics in companies are known well and which not. The paper, therefore, explores the knowledge of motives, managerial attention, barriers to- and ICT support for reverse logistic to enlighten the ways the knowledge management is able to support effectiveness of reverse logistics. Design/methodology/approach – The propositions formulated in the paper are based on an exploratory survey, which employed multiple informants approach: 18 respondents described 8 companies. Variance in respondents’ answers is analysed to show the extent of subjectivity and the lack of precise knowledge. A supplementary analysis of 93 companies tested the impact of respondents’ job position on the perception of reverse logistic to show different views between experts and non-experts Originality/value – The paper extends the literature on knowledge management in reverse logistics by the empirical identification of knowledge gaps and it proposes areas, on which the knowledge management should focus to improve the reverse logistics effectiveness. Practical implications – Insufficient knowledge is one of the barriers of effective reverse logistics, as documented in the literature. The paper elaborates on knowledge management in reverse logistics as the way to diminish the barriers of “insufficient knowledge”. The paper suggests that knowledge management can alter the perception of drivers and triggers of reverse logistic by improving the contextual understanding of them. Specifically, a precise understanding of drivers enables to design a system of reverse logistics, which is will focus at direct and indirect benefits (and not to the cost aspects only), resulting in its higher effectiveness. |
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