Systematic Framework for Selecting WEEE Remanufacturers

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Management in Mumbai, India, have established a systematic framework for supply chain managers to identify and assess potential remanufacturers of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This framework, developed using a three-phase approach, incorporates seven main criteria and 53 sub-criteria to evaluate the sustainability and resilience of potential remanufacturers. The study's findings highlight the importance of selecting WEEE remanufacturers that align with sustainable practices, have strong environmental and social cores, and possess resilience capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study utilized a three-phase approach, including a systematic literature review, expert insights via a survey, and the Modified-Analytic Hierarchy Process (M-AHP).
  • A total of 46 factors were identified through the literature review, which were expanded to 53 sub-criteria through expert insights.
  • The seven main criteria used in the framework are Sustainable Practices Alignment (SPA), Sustainability Resource Management (SRM), Environmental Financial Evaluation (EFE), Socially Responsible Advantages (SRA), Environmental Core Strengths (ECS), Sustainable Service Delivery (SSD), and Resilience Capabilities (REC).
  • The M-AHP approach revealed that four essential criteria - SRM, EFE, SRA, and REC - are pivotal for selecting WEEE remanufacturers within the Supply Chain Management (SCM) domain.
  • The study's structured framework offers direct insights for manufacturers on partner selection and provides indirect guidance for remanufacturers to enhance their capabilities.
  • The M-AHP approach supports strategic decision-making, fostering sustainability, regulatory compliance, and resilience in circular supply chain management.

Statistics:

  • 46 factors were identified through the systematic literature review.
  • 53 sub-criteria were expanded through expert insights.
  • 7 main criteria were used in the framework.
  • 27 sub-criteria were categorized under the Sustainable Practices Alignment (SPA) criteria.
  • 10 sub-criteria were categorized under the Sustainability Resource Management (SRM) criteria.
  • 6 sub-criteria were categorized under the Environmental Financial Evaluation (EFE) criteria.
  • 5 sub-criteria were categorized under the Socially Responsible Advantages (SRA) criteria.
  • 4 sub-criteria were categorized under the Environmental Core Strengths (ECS) criteria.

Sources:

  • Sustainable and Resilient Circular Supply Chain: a Remanufacturer Selection. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 2025:1-36.
  • NewsRx. Studies from Indian Institute of Management in the Area of Sustainability Research Described (Sustainable and Resilient Circular Supply Chain: a Remanufacturer Selection). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. October 31, 2025; p 781.