Rameezdeen, R; Chileshe, N; Hosseini, M R and Lehmann, S (2016) A qualitative examination of major barriers in implementation of reverse logistics within the South Australian construction sector. International Journal of Construction Management, 16(3), pp. 185-196. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Despite extensive research on the benefits of reverse logistics (RL), it has yet to become commonplace in the construction industry. Furthermore, the uptake and number of studies on RL remains very limited within the Australian context and particularly related to the construction industry. This paper is aimed at filling that knowledge gap by employing an exploratory approach to examine the critical barriers faced by South Australian construction organizations in implementing RL practices. Semi-structured interviews and a ranking approach facilitated the treatment of qualitative data through quantitative coding using cloud-based applications. The research identified 12 barriers to RL implementation, four of them very significant according to the responses of the interviewees: the regulatory environment, additional costs involved, lack of recognition in the construction supply chain, and extra effort required. The study also explored their inter-relationships through the Co-occurrence Index. The study proposes some remedial measures for RL implementation in South Australia based on the barriers identified. Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | barriers; cloud-based applications; hierarchical clustering techniques; reverse logistics; South Australia |
| Index terms: | interview, construction sector, construction organization, construction supply chain, construction industry, implementation, clustering, reverse logistics, South Australia |
| Subjects: | data science, contractual arrangements, data collection methods, organization, construction logistics, industry analysis, physical geography and landforms, supply chain operations |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Digital Applications, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here