Barriers for Implementing Reverse Logistics in the Construction Sectors

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the barriers to implementing Reverse Logistics in the construction sector and rank the barriers between the stakeholder, the phase in the project life cycle, and the strategic factors on the emergence of obstacles in implementing reverse logistics. Design/methodology/approach: This research began by identifying barriers re-verse logistics through a systematic literature review. The method used in the systematic literature review was the PRISMA method. Next, the identification of barriers was assessed for their influence on successful reverse logistics implementation by the expert using a questionnaire instrument. The rating scale used was a Likert scale of 1 (greatly hinder the implementation of reverse logistics) to 5 (not significantly hinder the implementation of reverse logistics). Finally, the results of the expert assessment were used to rank barriers using TOPSIS. Findings: There are 38 barriers in this study, classified as market and competitor factors, policy factors, supply chain factors, economic factors, knowledge-related factors, government support factors, and operational factors. The classification of barriers based on the project life cycle aims to increase stakeholder collaboration on reverse logistics performance issues. The results of this study indicate that the lack of government support for the implementation of RL (GS1) is the obstacle with the highest rank. These barriers are related to government support factors and arise in the green initiation phase of the project life cycle approach. The government’s role as regulator and project owner will overcome GS1 barriers. Research limitations/implications: The limitation in the scope of this research is specific to the construction sector in developing countries, particularly Indonesia. The object of construction in this study is the case of the Penjagaan-Losari highway project. Further research that examines barriers based on the project life cycle by entering the company scale or studying the relationship between barriers can also be done. Practical implications: This study provides an analysis to stakeholders about the barriers in implementing reverse logistics. The ranking results become a reference for relevant stakeholders in developing a successful strategy for implementing reverse logistics and the PLC approach phases as a guideline for implementing the established strategy. Social implications: The stakeholder of the construction project has to learn with reverse logistics barriers to improve reverse logistics performance. Originality/value: This study analyzed reverse logistics implementation barriers in the construction sector in developing countries. The majority of research on reverse logistics implementation barriers examined the manufacturing sector in developed countries. This study also identifies barriers that show the relationship between barrier emergence in the project life cycle approach and stakeholders responsible for addressing barriers and associated problems. Previous research only identified obstacles based on stakeholder points of view and strategic factors in the implementation of reverse logistics. The drawback from the point of view of previous research is the difficulty of determining appropriate improvement efforts. Identifying barriers using a process-based approach such as the project life cycle will improve previous research weaknesses.