REVERSE LOGISTICS IN VIETNAM: THE CASE OF . ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY . HansChristian Pfohl 1, Ha Van Thi Nguyen2. Abstract – Reverse logistics in Asia has not reached the same level as its operations in Europe. However, .the effort of many countries in this region as well as the attraction of the profitable recycling has stimulated .the development of reverse logistics system. This paper analyzed opportunities and challenges for reverse .logistics in Vietnam in the case of electronics industry in systematically different perspectives: consumption .and disposal of electronic products, related regulations, consumer awareness, and practical returns .management. To this end, we implemented a crosssectional survey triangulated with semistructured .interviews with households. In addition, we conducted case study with four companies to explore returns .management in practice. The findings support us in proposing some solutions for implementing reverse .logistics in Vietnam Key words – Electronics Industry, Reverse Logistics (RL), Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), .Returns Management, Endoflife products (EoL) INTRODUCTION Reverse logistics (RL) has received increasing attention because of recaptured value from returned .products, law enforcement, consumer awareness, and corporate responsibility towards environment . Reverse .logistics can be defined in the economic or ecological aspects, or we can utilize both perspectives to explain .about the concept of RL . Reverse logistics is the process of moving goods from their typical final destination .for capturing value, or proper disposal . It refers to the role of logistics in recycling, waste disposal and .management of hazardous materials, as well as in processing returned merchandise due to damage, quality .problems, seasonal inventory, salvage, recalls, and reposition inventory . . In recent years, considerable benefits gained in handling returned products have attracted more companies .in Asia getting involved in reverse logistics. Reverse logistics is one of the tools that companies use to .improve aftersales service through repair work, product disposal, delivery of spare parts, and complaint .management to end users . The value of the AsiaPacific returns market was estimated at $ billion , .evidently less than that in US and EU, but still increasing. Electronics industry is one of the sectors that have .good reverse logistics system in Asia. Service parts distribution points commonly used in the reverse supply .chain powers the electrical and electronic industries and effective returns management improves customer’s .loyalty to firms Each country in Asian has made efforts to develop a reverse logistics network in line with the recycling .trend. There is a great disparity in the extent of recycling efforts in countries in Asia. Countries such as .Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea have dynamic reverse logistics in waste management and recycling industries .as the result of extensive environmental regulations . In other emerging economies such as Philippines, .Indonesia, and Vietnam, the basic conditions including takeback laws and recycling facilities necessary to .deal with product recovery issues have just been set forth for few years Vietnam, with a population of nearly 90 million, reached the GDP growth around 7% over the last ten .years, which surpasses that of many countries in the region. Vietnam moved from the group of poor country to .the one of average income with GDP per capital nearly $1,200. A thriving private consumer market, which .makes up nearly twothirds of total GDP, means an
