Simulation optimisation methods applied in reverse logistics: a systematic review

Abstract

Reverse logistics has grown in importance with the increase in environmental sustainability issues. However, reverse logistics is often associated with complex and difficult uncertainty issues, the vagueness of information, and the numerous decision variables and constraints. To address these issues, researchers deployed a class of effective methods called simulation-based optimisation. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of the available reverse logistics literature, discussing reverse logistic and simulation-based optimisation, highlighting the research gap and setting future directions. This work identifies: (1) various research design and methodologies used in reverse logistics literature; (2) the most explored areas of reverse logistics and discusses the sector where the exploration can be redirected; (3) the various simulation-based optimisation (SO) methods; and (4) the most dominant SO methods for solving reverse logistics problems. This study will be useful to researchers and practitioners in finding new research opportunities in the field of reverse logistics.