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Forecasting product returns for recycling in Indian electronics industry

Saurabh Agrawal (Mechanical, Production & Industrial Engineering Department, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India)
Rajesh K. Singh (Mechanical, Production & Industrial Engineering Department, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India)
Qasim Murtaza (Mechanical, Production & Industrial Engineering Department, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India)

Journal of Advances in Management Research

ISSN: 0972-7981

Article publication date: 29 April 2014

1077

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for forecasting product returns to the company for recycling in terms of quantity and time.

Design/methodology/approach

Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT) has been applied for developing the forecasting model for product returns. A case of Indian mobile manufacturing company is discussed for the validation of this model. Survey conducted by the company and findings from previous research were used for data collection on probabilities and product life cycle.

Findings

Product returns for their recycling are stochastic, random and uncertain. Therefore, to address the uncertainty, randomness and stochastic nature of product returns, GERT is very useful tool for forecasting product returns.

Practical implications

GERT provides the visual picture of the reverse supply chain system and helps in determining the expected time of product returns in a much easier way but it requires probabilities of different flows and product life cycle. Both factors vary over a period, so require data update time to time before implementation.

Originality/value

This model is developed by considering all possible flows of sold products from customer to their reuse, store or recycle or landfill. First time this type of real life flows have been considered and GERT has been applied for forecasting product returns. This model can be utilized by managers for better forecasting that will help them for effective reverse supply chain design.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their special gratitude and thanks to industry persons for giving them such attention and time.

Citation

Agrawal, S., K. Singh, R. and Murtaza, Q. (2014), "Forecasting product returns for recycling in Indian electronics industry", Journal of Advances in Management Research, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 102-114. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-02-2013-0013

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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