Rethinking Reverse Logistics: Neutrosophic Strategies for  Warehouse Management Challenges

Thanh- Ngan Le; Quoc-Hieu Phan; Phi Hung Nguyen; Lan-Anh Thi Nguyen

Authors

Thanh- Ngan Le Department of Business Administration, College of Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, Wufeng District, Taichung, 413310 Taiwan, R.O.C.
Quoc-Hieu Phan Department of Business Administration, College of Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, Wufeng District, Taichung, 413310 Taiwan, R.O.C.
Phi Hung Nguyen Faculty of Business, FPT University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam.
Lan-Anh Thi Nguyen Faculty of Business, FPT University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

Keywords:

Warehouse management platforms, Smart reverse logistics, MCDM, Neutrosophic sets, DEMATEL, Delphi, COCOSO.

Abstract

Implementing warehouse management platforms (WMPs) in Vietnam's smart reverse logistics
(SRL) sector faces numerous barriers, hindering operational efficiency and competitiveness. This study
develops a robust multi-stage decision-making framework to identify, analyze, and address these barriers,
filling a critical research gap in SRL practices. The proposed model integrates Neutrosophic Sets (NS) for
managing uncertainties in expert evaluations with the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory
(DEMATEL) method to examine cause-and-effect relationships among barriers. Additionally, the
Neutrosophic Combined Compromise Solution (NS COCOSO) method ranks solutions for overcoming these
challenges. In the first stage, key barriers—such as insufficient strategic planning, lack of expertise in reverse
logistics, inadequate performance metrics, and a shortage of skilled personnel—are identified through an
extensive literature review and expert validation using the NS Delphi technique. The second stage applies NS
DEMATEL to analyze the interdependencies and significance of these barriers. The final stage prioritizes
solutions to mitigate these challenges using NS COCOSO. This integrated approach provides three key
contributions: (i) a systematic exploration of inter-barrier relationships, (ii) an advanced mechanism for
addressing uncertainties in expert judgments, and (iii) a comprehensive ranking of actionable strategies for
stakeholders. The findings underscore the need for long-term strategic planning, regulatory alignment, and the
adoption of cutting-edge technologies to enhance WMP implementation in SRL. Sensitivity analyses validate
the model’s robustness, and comparative assessments demonstrate its superiority over traditional methods.
This study offers a novel and practical decision-support framework for logistics firms, policymakers, and
stakeholders to drive sustainable advancements in reverse logistics.