A reverse logistics social responsibility evaluation framework based on the triple bottom line approach

Today, reverse logistics systems are considered very important for businesses to improve their overall environmental and financial performance. The majority of the present models of environmental and sustainable reverse logistics systems mainly focus on a number of environmental and economic aspects. However, these models have recently incorporated a limited number of social aspects and much more must be done to have a more complete picture of the quality performance of reverse logistics systems as well as being a critical factor in measuring the contribution of a firm to sustainable development. This paper proposes an integrated model for introducing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability issues in reverse logistics systems as a means of developing a complete performance framework model. This will be done by developing a framework of performance indicators for measuring reverse logistics social responsibility performance based on the Triple Bottom Line approach (economic, environmental and social aspects). Finally, two numerical examples are presented in order to test the validity of the proposed framework. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.