The relationships among resources’ commitment reverse logistics innovation reverse logistics performance and reverse logistics cost savings: Manufacturing vs service industry

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships among resources’ commitment, reverse logistics innovation, reverse logistics performance, and reverse logistics cost savings. The study was done by means of mixed method. Regarding quantitative aspect, a survey was conducted with 403 current top and middle managers working in Thai manufacturing and service industry. The findings showed that there were positive associations between resource commitment and reverse logistics innovation, resource commitment and reverse logistics performance, reverse logistics innovation and reverse logistics performance, and reverse logistics performance and reverse logistics cost savings. The results further reported that there was a partial mediate effect of resource commitment on reverse logistics performance through reverse logistics innovation. The result further revealed that the size of company had moderate effect on model level, however, did not have moderate effect on path level. The model is different across the time of company entrance to industry and type of industry both model and path levels whereas the model is not different across length of reverse logistics implementation. However, length of reverse logistics implementation had moderation effect on path level between resource commitment and reverse logistics performance. Considering qualitative approach, the in-depth interview was conducted with 40 participants working for top and middle managers. It was found that the companies launched the reverse logistics program together with green logistics in order to enhance good company image. Firms coped with the reverse logistics program by means of reuse, recycle, repair, refurbish, scrap sale, discount and sale in outlet.