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10
Reverse Supply Chains
Learning Outcomes
After reading this chapter, you should be able to
• Explain the difference between a supply chain and a reverse supply chain (RSC)
• Briey describe the history of reverse logistics (RL)
• Describe the main activities of an RSC program
• Identify the principal drivers of the current movement for RSCs
• Explain the role of private industry, the various levels of government, and con-
sumers in promoting RSCs
• Discuss how product design can affect the RSC
• Discuss why companies often outsource their RSC
• Discuss how IT can augment the functioning of RSCs
• Discuss the future of RSCs
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