E-Enabled Closed-Loop Supply Chains

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology can help companies realize new innovative business opportunities in the area of closed-loop supply chains. This article examines closed-loop supply chains from three perspectives: processes, customers, and products. Exploiting the possibilities of closed-loop supply chains involves handling uncertainties by providing adequate information. Information on recovery options for a product, product preferences of the customer, and the state of the product can be used to reduce uncertainty. Data that is retrieved from the closed-loop supply chain by new technologies can be transformed into management information in a systematic way. This article presents a framework to address uncertainty reduction strategies.