【正文】
AHP Method 1. Introduction Due to the growing environmental legislations, more attention is given to Reverse Logistics. Reverse Logistics (RL) is the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow of raw materials, in process inventory, finished goods and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value, or proper disposal .The study of reverse logistics is in exploration stage. Cost reduction is possible in reverse logistics. A reverse logistics defines a supply chain that is redesigned to efficient manage the flow of products or parts designed for remanufacturing, recycling or disposal and to effectively utilize resources .The various functions executed through RL activities include gatekeeping, pacting disposition cycle times, remanufacturing and refurbishment, asset recovery, negotiation, outsourcing and customer service .In addition to disposition and transportation, value added services such as JIT, quick response and program solutions are also important functions in reverse logistics. Recovery of products for remanufacturing, repair and recycling can create profitable business opportunities . For managing the returns, the panies can reuse them, resell or destroy them. Retailers may return the goods due to seasonality, expiry or because of transit damage. Customers may return the goods due to poor quality. Managing the product returns increases the customer service level and retention level. Each activity from procurement to distribution generates waste and reduction of this waste is a major goal of environmentally conscious business practices. Manufactures see reverse logistics as a process of recovering defective products or reusable containers back from the user. In the emerce since buyers need assurance for refund, reverse logistics is an important issue. Owing to RL approach, this area present an opportunity for research. A conceptual framework for managing retail reverse logistics operation is presented in .In the case study conducted by , three panies were visited and identified reverse logistics process flow and the strategic issues a firm may use for petitive advantage. An integrated forward logistics multi echelon distribution inventory supply chain model and closed loop multi echelon distribution for the built to order environment was designed using geic algorithm and particle swarm optimization .A model for green supply chain management with inplete information was developed .Reverse logistics was suggested as an area for future research and the advantages of soft puting is its capability to tolerate imprecision, uncertainty .A mathematical model for the design of Reverse Logistics work design was proposed considering the location and allocation of facilities. A dynamic model was constructed and validated the same using the data collected from the puter pany. A distribution system which uses a bination of manufacturing and remanufacturing was proposed and the models were pared with respect to the various prices. From the above references, studies have