Smart and Sustainable Reverse Logistics Analysis

Recent advances in digitalisation and information and communication technology (ICT) have not only altered the manufacturing paradigm towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution, commonly known as Industry ۴.۰, but have also created chances for a smart logistics revolution. The implementation of the established model led to the selection of the scenario that strikes the optimal balance between the widespread use of Industry ۴.۰ technologies and the required resources. The scenarios entail the incorporation of the most effective Industry ۴.۰ technologies, including the Internet of Things, Automated guided vehicles, Autonomous Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Data Mining, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, and Electronic/Mobile Markets, and their most plausible applications. Widest feasible implementation of Industry ۴.۰ technology does not always guarantee the most acceptable growth scenario, and the answer should be explored in the area of shared interest among all stakeholders. Despite studies focusing on improving the smartness, connectivity, and autonomy of isolated logistics operations with a primary emphasis on the forwards channels, there is still a lack of a systematic Conceptualisation to guide the forthcoming paradigm shift of reverse logistics, such as how "Individualisation" and "service innovation" should be interpreted in a smart reverse logistics context. In order to address this void, this article defines Reverse logistics ۴.۰ from a holistic standpoint in order to provide a comprehensive examination of the technical influence of Industry ۴.۰ on reverse logistics. On the basis of published research and case studies, a conceptual framework for the transformation of smart reverse logistics is presented to combine Industry ۴.۰ enablers, smart service and operation transformation, and targeted sustainability objectives. A smart reverse logistics architecture is also presented to permit a high level of system integration enabled by intelligent devices and smart portals, autonomous robots, and advanced analytical tools, where the value of technological innovations can be leveraged to solve various reverse logistics issues. Through conceptual development, this study contributes by establishing a clear path and research agenda for the reverse logistics transition in Industry ۴.۰.