Proactive reduction of returns : management and metrics
Name
48039605-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
3.86 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
23f49254fdefd4c212e9ea2a2b557cdc
Author(s)
Zaientz, Lucas A. (Lucas Aaron), 1971-
Advisor(s)
Jonathan L.S. Byrnes.
Date Issued
2000
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Management of reverse logistics is becoming an important research area. Within this body of research, very little work has been done on proactively reducing returns. The current writing on returns management is almost exclusively efficiency focused. In essence, authors attempt to answer the question, how do we react well to errors and unaligned motivation in a system? A more proactive way of thinking of the problem is to ask how can we reduce errors and align motivation in a system so there is nothing to react to. This paper takes a first look at the opportunities of proactively working to reduce returns in a manufacturer distributor relationship. Findings suggest that returns come from both direct and indirect drivers. Direct returns come from linked causal relationships such as damages (DOA), incorrect shipments, and off schedule deliveries. Indirect returns are products returned at the discretion of distributors to minimize several different risks. Several methods of reducing returns are discussed and metrics are proposed.
Description
Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2000.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-70).
Subjects
Engineering Systems Division.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Terms of Use
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