Comparative Analysis of Stakeholder Engagement Strategies in Implementing Green Reverse Logistics: A Study of Paper and Packaging Manufacturers in Asia and Europe

Abstract

While many green initiatives are seen as key survival strategies across many organizations in the global printing and packaging industry and its eco system, the newest initiative found is green reverse logistic practice. The Printing and packaging industry and its total supply network, being the permanent polluter, needs to spear head those implementations to sustain the world. Many researchers argued that the purpose of implementing green practices is more than the sustainability driven responsibility. There is a profitability motive as well. Therefore, implementing reverse logistics practices has become pivotal for sustainable and profitable growth. Among many factors that influence the effective establishment of green reverse logistic practices, stakeholder engagement was selected as a key independent factor to probe into. Hence, this study attempts to reveal how stakeholder engagement strategies could strengthen the effectiveness of green reverse logistics practices. This research is aimed at investigating how stakeholder engagement strategies influence in implementing green reverse logistics practices while providing impactful insights into the printing and packaging industry and its supply network. A secondary data based qualitative comparative case study research strategy was employed focusing on two global companies under the P&P industry in Europe and India. Secondary data gathered from Annual reports and journal articles were analyzed using a thematic analysis and a comparative analysis was constructed in uncovering the patterns and themes in common. The findings disclose that both companies have aligned strategies but under different models. The study also revealed that there is a positive relationship among the engagement strategies and their impact on implementing reverse logistics practices. Stakeholder support, including organizational support, is well needed. Company specific strategies should be addressed in a tailored way in addressing the importance of following a sustainable path eventually.