In the competitive world of manufacturing, companies are often searching for new ways to improve their process, customer satisfaction and stay ahead in the game with their competitors. Reverse logistics has been considered a strategy to bring these things to life for the past decade or so. This thesis work tries to shed some light on the basics of reverse logistics and how reverse logistics can be used as a management strategy. This paper points out the fundamentals of reverse logistics and looks into what kind of decisions today’s logistics managers have to take on a daily basis for the improvement of their logistics model. A growing concern has been developing to control rising global pollution, this paper also brings out some of the effects of reverse logistics decisions on the environment and vice versa. The thesis starts out by compiling the works of researchers and logistics experts in the field of logistics in the theoretical background section. Through a survey conducted in a few manufacturing firms in India, a small picture of the extent to which reverse logistics has penetrated the manufacturing world has been drawn.

M. Tech. (Department of Logistics Management, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of reverse logistics practices on environmental sustainability and business performance in manufacturing firms in the Vaal Triangle Region. The study employed a quantitative research method that used a survey questionnaire to gather data from supply chain professionals operating in the manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. The survey was self-administered to 350 randomly selected respondents who were mainly supply chain professionals drawn from various manufacturing firms in the Vaal Triangle region. Despite the large number of respondents, only 201 questionnaires were usable, which represented a response rate of 57 per cent. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS 25.0 in which descriptive statistics were analysed to assess the demographic characteristics of the respondents. An analysis of mean scores was performed to establish the perceptions of supply chain professionals toward the levels of the constructs in manufacturing firms. Besides, the study made use of correlation and regression analyses to examine the causal relationships between reverse logistics practices on environmental sustainability and business performance. The results of the study show that the identified reserve logistics practices (repairs, remanufacturing, recycle, recondition and disposal) were insignificantly correlated to environmental sustainability. However, environmental sustainability was significantly correlated to the two sub-dimensions of business performance, namely, sales and profit. Likewise, in the regression analysis, all reverse logistics components were statistically insignificant, whereas environmental sustainability significantly influenced both profits and sales. The study thus offered a contrasting perspective from the general findings that have found reverse logistics to be a significant contributor to sustainability initiatives. However, the study confirms the importance of environmental sustainability as a predictor of business performance in manufacturing firms.

Reverse logistics is an important process that is often misunderstood. Reverse logistics can cause considerable cost, but provide numerous opportunities. Many organisations do not understand the correct processes and procedures to follow and how to manage reverse logistics efficiently. The focus of this study was on best practices in reverse logistics. A best practice framework was developed to help organisations overcome problems and manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. This study adopted a mixed method research approach with both qualitative and quantitative elements. A comprehensive literature study was conducted to develop a conceptual best practice framework in reverse logistics and a survey was conducted to seek inputs from industry in South Africa to refine the framework into a workable instrument in practice. The study concluded that the best practices identified in literature have proven to be important in practice, and applying such practices will enable organisations to manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. / Business Management / M. Com. (Logistics)

Reverse logistics is an important process that is often misunderstood. Reverse logistics can cause considerable cost, but provide numerous opportunities. Many organisations do not understand the correct processes and procedures to follow and how to manage reverse logistics efficiently. The focus of this study was on best practices in reverse logistics. A best practice framework was developed to help organisations overcome problems and manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. This study adopted a mixed method research approach with both qualitative and quantitative elements. A comprehensive literature study was conducted to develop a conceptual best practice framework in reverse logistics and a survey was conducted to seek inputs from industry in South Africa to refine the framework into a workable instrument in practice. The study concluded that the best practices identified in literature have proven to be important in practice, and applying such practices will enable organisations to manage their reverse logistics more efficiently. / Business Management / M. Com. (Logistics)