Reverse Logistics as A Complex System: A Case Study of Waste Management in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Industry

Reverse Logistics as A Complex System: A Case Study of Waste Management in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Industry

P. ENGELSETH 

Department of Logistics, Molde University College, Norway

Page: 
348-356
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.2495/DNE-V12-N3-348-356
Received: 
N/A
| |
Accepted: 
N/A
| | Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

Waste management is usually considered just another form of reverse physical distribution. This case study points to uncertainties associated with operating a drill cuttings flow from offshore installa-tions, through treatment on land, and onwards to its final form. The case description evokes a form of supply chain that is inherently complex. Contingency theory, focusing on interdependencies associ-ated with interaction, is applied as approach to indicate how developing this waste flow as a complex system involves taking into account features of sequential, pooled and reciprocal interdependencies. Interaction should accordingly be tailored through analyzing these interdependencies found in the case.

Keywords: 

case study, contingency theory, interdependencies, Norwegian petroleum industry, reverse logistics, supply chain management.

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