We study the disposition decision for product returns in a closed-loop supply chain. Motivated by the asset recovery process at IBM, we consider two disposition alternatives. Returns may be either refurbished for reselling or dismantled for spare parts. Reselling a refurbished unit typically...

Background: Reverse supply chains of machinery and equipment face significant challenges, and overcoming them is critical for effective customer service and sustainable operation. Maintenance and repair services, strongly associated with the reverse movement of equipment, are among the most...

One of the industry sectors with the longest history in remanufacturing is the automotive industry. Remanufactured parts include brake calipers, engines, servo pumps and alternators. A big challenge for automotive component remanufacturers is to achieve a steady flow of cores (parts that are...

A reverse supply chain, as a post-consumption activity, aims at extracting value from products at end of their life cycle (Mafakher and Nasiri, Journal of Cleaner Production 59:185–196, 2013). As well, company’s awareness is attracting increasing attention toward sustainable business...

In today’s global environment, technology is constantly evolving. Being able to stay up-to-date with the very latest technological advances can be extremely hard to accomplish. As a result of these changes and developments in technology, which often come unexpectedly, consumers are frequently...

The electronics industry is growing fast with the advent of new technologies and product innovation across the globe. Short product life cycle coupled with the huge demand for electronics products, generating a pile of discarded products results in e-waste generation. The industry is also facing...

The modern world is experiencing an unprecedented pace of technological change. The introduction of new technological products encourages consumers to trade in old products for new so that they can keep up with the latest in technology. One of the consequences of this rapid change in technology...