Reverse logistics: insights from sectoral analysis of Indian manufacturing industries

Green purchasing by companies, environmental benefits resulting from reverse logistics are some of the core issues relevant during implementation of reverse logistics programmes. Existing literature on reverse logistics has many references about the importance of these core issues. Other important issues like commitment from top management, resource reduction, green suppliers, customer demand for green products, proper disposal of products, etc., also influence these core issues. In this research, we have proposed first set of hypotheses in which the primary objective is to establish a relationship among critical issues of reverse logistics. In the second set of proposed hypotheses, we have explored the dissimilarities among different industrial sectors in implementing common reverse logistics practices, which have not been duly addressed in literature. A nationwide questionnaire‐based survey was conducted on four sectors of Indian manufacturing industry dealing with reverse logistics operations: 1) auto; 2) paper; 3) food and beverage processing; 4) electronics. Statistical tests such as regression analysis and t‐tests were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses. It is observed from this study that companies in electronics sector significantly differ from those of other sectors in adoption of reverse logistics practices.