Linear versus reverse supply chain

Citation

Yadav, S.S. and Shankar, R. (2015), "Linear versus reverse supply chain", Journal of Advances in Management Research, Vol. 12 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-01-2015-0009

Linear versus reverse supply chain

Article Type: Editorial From: Journal of Advances in Management Research, Volume 12, Issue 1.

A simple understanding of supply chain means a sequence of activities from procuring raw material to processing them into a product, making the product available to customers, who convert the product into waste after its use. This is the linear concept of supply chain. At macro level as well, this has been the order of things as far as the industrialization is concerned. That is, take the raw material from the “Nature”, make usable products and generate waste. Whole world has followed this route of TMW (Take-Make-Waste). But, as the world is realizing now, this linear system of TMW is no longer sustainable. The countries like India which are waiting to move on the manufacturing trajectory in a big way, have an opportunity, and perhaps, an obligation to change this trend. Many leading countries in manufacturing have not yet visibly attempted to reverse the TMW system.

To be sustainable, it has to be a TMRR (Take-Make-Recycle-Reuse) paradigm. This is the way forward if the world has to avoid fast depletion of natural resources and to contain adverse effects of toxic waste. Fossil fuels and other minerals that are being extracted from earth will not last in future for ever. Forest cover is being depleted at a much faster pace than the rate of its replenishment. Large-scale emissions of pollutants are giving rise to many health problems.

As far as the energy resources are concerned, renewable energy is the only solution in the long run. Sun and wind energy have to be given a big push by the world community as a whole. These two sources are such that they are available for ever as, in their case, there is no such thing as “quantifiable reserves” unlike in the case of coal and petroleum. While a concerted effort to develop “ever available” energy resources is required, there is a need to find innovative ways to recycle and re-use wherever it is possible. It would be worth mentioning that, in a few countries like UK, some attempts have been made to generate fuel gas from even human excretions. A passenger bus can run roughly 300 kilometres with the gas generated from the annual excretions of five human beings. Similarly, bagasse (solid waste left after crushing sugar cane) can be used and is being used in sugar mills to generate heat.

Both, researchers and practitioners have to seriously examine and pursue the path of TMRR supply chain and use of renewable energy to make the future growth sustainable. The slogan of Indian prime minister, “Zero defect and Zero effect” fits in with this approach of development. That is, make products with zero defects and ensure that they have no adverse impact on environment. A major shift to TMRR model of supply chain and renewable energy is the need of the hour!

We all appreciate the concept of sustainable development as discussed above. We would welcome research articles directed towards this theme in this journal. We also welcome suggestions from our readers for other relevant areas of research.

Surendra S. Yadav and Ravi Shankar