Defining the Field of Reverse Logistics

Guest Post By Dr. Robert Gordon, faculty member at American Public University

Reverse logistics has gone by many different names over the years, but the field has now come into its own. In the past, some have stated that reverse logistics is a sub-set of supply chain management, while others have proposed that it is limited to returns or recycling.

Some associations have made their own definition of reverse logistics, yet no institution has created a research- based, consistent and logical definition.  To this end, research is being conducted at American Public University to create a Reverse Logistics Body of Knowledge (RLBOK), with the goal being to define the official standard of operational practices and theoretical concepts for the field. 

The RLBOK examines the following eight recognized domains of reverse logistics applications and theory:

Domain 1 – Market Research
Reverse logistics is a market- driven process and must evolve dynamically through continuous improvement.  Reverse logistics is dedicated to embracing new technology and systems in order to meet the growing needs of the marketplace.

Domain 2 – Strategic Planning
A strategic plan for reverse logistics operations provides direction and guidance for how activities should be organized and coordinated. Understanding critical business issues and success factors allows an organization to develop tactical initiatives and decision models that can be used on an ongoing basis to achieve reverse logistics goals.   

Domain 3 – Innovation
Successful logistical organizations cannot maintain long- term success without a process improvement cycle that boosts innovation. This domain creates a process framework that supports long- term success through innovation. 

Domain 4 – Project and Process
Returns, recycling, recalls, and repackaging are all project- based activities that need to be connected with a common message and service.  Reverse logistics offers a common project platform that allows each of these reverse logistics issues to be addressed in a similar manner. 

Domain 5 – Cost and Benefits
This domain defines how to build a cost/ benefit process that not only finds the direct costs, but also quantifies the indirect costs and savings that are realized by a successful reverse logistics organization. 

Domain 6 – Communication
A reverse logistics organization exists to serve customers. Internal communication should mirror external communication.  In addition, the data and information associated with communication to the customer must be defined.

Domain 7 – Leadership
Effective leadership is essential for reverse logistics management.  Leadership research has shown that transformational leadership is effective during times of change; hence, reverse logistics management will focus on transformational leadership. 

Domain 8 – Research Data
Data management is essential as material needs to be tracked full- circle.   Data protection measures that keep information private must be an essential aspect the process. 

When completed, RLBOK will become the official standard for reverse logistics operations in the same manner as the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is the standard for project management.

About the Author

Dr. Robert Lee Gordon is currently an associate professor with American Public University System in Reverse Logistics Management program.  He has four published books, three regarding project management and one regarding reverse logistics in addition to dozens of articles.  Dr. Gordon curates a Reverse Logistics topic at http://www.scoop.it/t/reverse-logistics-by-robert-gordon2.

An Academic Degree or Professional Certification for Logistics Professionals? Why not both?

By Dr. Jennifer Batchelor, Program Director of the Transportation & Logistics Management program at American Public University

Should I get an academic degree or professional certification? That is a question I get quite often.  My response usually begins with explaining the differences between the two in relation to the career and personal goals of the inquisitor. There is no one right choice for everyone.

The difference between an academic degree and professional certification is fairly simple and straightforward. 

An academic degree is a path toward developing and building an individual’s knowledge base. In my field, this includes in-depth knowledge of the discipline of transportation & logistics management (TLM) as well as a general understanding of other areas such as social sciences, political science, business, information systems, and communications. An academic degree is all-encompassing when building a foundation or knowledge base. The key here is knowledge.

There are different types of certifications such as corporate, product-specific, and profession-wide certifications. Most TLM certifications are profession-wide certifications. This type of certification is validation of an individual’s expertise within a given field or profession. Further, during an APU webinar in Dec. 2010, Victor Deyglio of The Logistics Institute mentioned that a professional certification represents what you can do with what you know. 

In the end, a professional certification certifies your experience, expertise, and skills within a profession such as transportation and logistics. The key here is what you can do. There are professional certifications available in supply chain management, transportation and logistics, traffic, import/export, purchasing, manufacturing, and production and inventory.

TLM professional certification bodies include The Logistics Institute and the American Society of Transportation and Logistics (ASTL). Both partner with education institutions to allow students to earn a degree and a certification.

For example, the APU partnership with The Logistics Institute provides learners with the opportunity to transfer credit from AMU/APU courses to satisfy certain requirements of the P.Log. Another APU partnership is with ASTL; TLM graduates can apply for the ASTL PLS Academic Waiver Programs. 

Getting a degree and a certification provides learners with a bridge between academics and practitioner approaches. This may be the best way to demonstrate to hiring managers that you know the industry and can do the job.  In the end, why not have both?

 

About the Author:

Dr. Jennifer S. Batchelor is Program Director of the Transportation & Logistics Management programs.  She has over 20 years of experience in the logistics and transportation field and enjoys sharing her expertise and knowledge through online delivery methods as well as face-to-face seminars and workshops.  Her passion lies in third party logistics but more specifically in over the road transportation and rail.