Accounting & Finance

Leveraging big data analytics capabilities in making reverse logistics decisions and improving remanufacturing performance

The findings of this study can help managers to understand the value of big data analytics in enhancing remanufacturing processes for achieving sustainability.

Authors

Sachin Kumar Mangla, Assistant Professor, Jindal Global Business School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India; Visiting Research Fellow, Plymouth Business School, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom.

Surajit Bag, Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management, School of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Sunil Luthra, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ch Ranbir Singh State Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jhajjar, Haryana, India.

Yigit Kazancoglu, Department of International Logistics Management, Yasar University, Izmir, Turkey.

Summary

The study investigated the effect of big data analytics capabilities (BDACs) on reverse logistics (strategic and tactical) decisions and finally on remanufacturing performance.

The primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an online survey sent to South African manufacturing companies. The data were analysed using partial least squares based structural equation modelling (PLS–SEM) based WarpPLS 6.0 software.

The results indicate that data generation capabilities (DGCs) have a strong association with strategic reverse logistics decisions (SRLDs). Data integration and management capabilities (DIMCs) show a positive relationship with tactical reverse logistics decisions (TRLDs). Advanced analytics capabilities (AACs), data visualisation capabilities (DVCs) and data-driven culture (DDC) show a positive association with both SRLDs and TRLDs. SRLDs and TRLDs were found to have a positive link with remanufacturing performance.

The theoretical guided results can help managers to understand the value of big data analytics (BDA) in making better quality judgement of reverse logistics and enhance remanufacturing processes for achieving sustainability.

This research explored the relationship between BDA, reverse logistics decisions and remanufacturing performance. The study was practice oriented, and according to the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study to be conducted in the South African context.

Published in: The International Journal of Logistics Management

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