Trends, Patterns, and Research Frontiers in Reverse Logistics Practices: A Bibliometric Analysis (2010-2022)

Reverse logistics has garnered increasing attention in recent years, driven by stringent environmental standards and the growing awareness of environmental issues. Additionally, there is a realization of the economic benefits derived from reusing products rather than discarding them. However, the adoption of reverse logistics poses significant complexities, necessitating organizations to seek external expertise and technology to bridge the knowledge gap. Consequently, this study aims to explore current trends and background information on reverse logistics practices through the application of bibliometric analysis. This research employed VOS viewer software to conduct comprehensive bibliometric analysis of reverse logistics literature from the period 2010 to 2022. A total of 3538 papers were retrieved from the Scopus database, utilizing the keyword ‘reverse logistics.’ The analysis of search results reveals fluctuations in the trend of reverse logistics research in previous years, but a slight increase was observed from 2021 to 2022, with document count rising from 322 to 332. This upward trend indicates a growing awareness among organizations, stakeholders, scholars, experts, and end-users regarding reverse logistics and the recognition of its potential to offer a competitive advantage.