A bibliometric analysis of reverse logistics research (1992-2015) and opportunities for future research

• Published in: International journal of physical distribution & logistics management Vol. 47; no. 8; pp. 666 - 687
• Main Authors: Wang, Jian-Jun, Chen, Haozhe, Rogers, Dale S, Ellram, Lisa M, Grawe, Scott J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 01.01.2017; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Bibliometrics; Citation analysis; Citation indexes; Cocitation; Competitive advantage; Councils; Documents; Information systems; Inventory; Inventory control; Keywords; Literature reviews; Management science; Microprocessors; Operations management; Product returns; Production planning; Research methodology; Researchers; Reverse logistics; Software; Studies; Supply chain management; Supply chains; Traction; Closed-loop supply chain; Reverse logistics; Co-citation analysis; Returns management; Bibliometric analysis; Burst detection; Product recovery
• ISSN: 0960-0035; 1758-664X
• DOI: 10.1108/IJPDLM-10-2016-0299

Purpose Interest in reverse logistics (RL) as a critical component of supply chain management (SCM) is gaining more traction with both practitioners and academics. Because of RL’s growing strategic importance, it is imperative to conduct a timely and comprehensive literature review and to identify associated opportunities for future research. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the researchers conduct an extensive bibliometric analysis of published academic articles on RL for the period of 1992-2015. Specifically, the CiteSpace software is utilized to conduct document co-citation analysis and burst detection analysis on 912 selected RL articles and their 22,642 references. Findings This research identifies the most influential RL research publications/citations in each of the five periods and their research contribution. Using co-citation analysis, the authors are able to identify and illustrate major research themes, knowledge groups, and future research opportunities in the RL field. Originality/value In contrast to existing literature review studies in the logistics field, the study uses impact factor as a key article selection criterion. The influential articles identified in this process well represent the core literature and RL body of knowledge and have important implications for future research.