Reverse Logistics Management in Construction : A multiple case study examining the effect of organisational size

Abstract: Background: Increasing awareness for the environmental impact, governments and higher authorities has in the past years issued regulations for waste creation and management, creating a need for new practices and policies on how used material is handled. Reversed logistics could simply be described as the process of ensuring value creation spanning over the entire life cycle. The importance to understand and clarify what differences and limitations the adaptation of reverse logistics in the construction industry present, depending on organisation size.  Purpose and research questions: The purpose with this research is to compare how SMEs and large organisations in the construction industry adapt reverse logistics practices. In order to fulfil the purpose two research questions are designed. The first question process what the major differences are between SMEs and large organisations regarding the willingness to adapt reverse logistics. The second question process what the major differences are between SMEs and large organisations regarding the ability to adapt reverse logistics. Method: This research used a qualitative approach. A literature review was conducted to construct a theoretical framework. Ten interviews are conducted with SMEs and large organisation within the construction industry as well an intermediary from a demolition organisation. The interviews are conducted in a semi-structural manner. The interviews are coded in order to define themes and construct a framework. Conclusion: The willingness to adapt reverse logistics depend on the responsibilities the companies have. The larger organisations are willing in order to fulfil larger environmental goals and regulations in the industry whereas SMEs want to ease daily operations and do good to the adjacent community. The ability to adapt reverse logistics are affected by the resources and regulations. SMEs have difficulties in adapting reverse logistics fully because of limited resources relating to handling and storing the to-be-reused material. The larger organisations have the resources but a longer implementation route and with larger projects need the clients demand to adapt reverse logistics on project scale.