Identifying Critical Indicators in the Evaluation of Third-Party Reverse Logistics Provider Using Best–Worst Method

Abstract

Evaluation and selection of a third-party reverse logistics provider (3PRLP) is an important tool for enterprises to improve the level of reverse logistics management. The identification of critical indicators plays a crucial role in the evaluation process. Firstly, on the basis of fully considering the characteristics of 3PRLP evaluation and selection, we summarized 27 evaluation indicators from 5 dimensions—overall operation level, management service level, information technology level, social and ecological benefits, and strategic alliance. Secondly, we adopted the Delphi method to determine the formal evaluation index system, and the best–worst method (BWM) to calculate the weight of each indicator. We determined the critical evaluation indicators on the basis of the weights. Finally, based on our results, corresponding countermeasures and implications regarding the process of 3PRLP evaluation were put forward. The research results show that the critical indicators include transportation allocation capacity, network coverage, service price level, service response speed, recovery efficiency, and service flexibility level.