ENHANCED CIRCULARITY IN AFTERMARKETS: REQUIREMENTS AND TRADEOFFS ON LOGISTICS SERVICES

Paper in proceeding, 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify requirements and tradeoffs on logistics services for enhanced circularity of materials and resources.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on multiple case study design and abductive reasoning, the study investigates 13 different product categories. The data were analyzed based on theoretical, a priori codes from the literature review. Inductive, emerging codes were added to the coding scheme during the analysis. 
Findings
Requirements of logistics services to support slowing of resource flows are categorized with respect to initiator, location of the service, single or multiple actors, and transportation of parts, products and people. Moreover, the study identify new logistics tradeoffs: material and people, knowledge and people, and information and knowledge. Transportation of product, people, and parts can be reduced by increasing local knowledge and improve information sharing.
Research limitations/implications
This review contributes to the understanding of the relationship between logistics services and enhancement of circularity by highlighting requirements on logistics services in the aftermarket supply chain that support slowing of resource flows. To enhance circularity, logistics services must extend the traditional material–information flow with the flow of people and knowledge, respectively.
Practical and social implications
The categorization provides practitioners and researchers with an overview of requirements and tradeoffs on logistics services to enhance circularity of a particular circular cycle. The implications will provide an opportunity to address environmental impact of transportation and improve the utilization of scarce materials.