Reverse logistics and competitive advantage:

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to establish the relationship between reverse logistics practices and competitive advantage among water bottling companies in Nairobi. The study had two objectives to achieve: To establish the extent to which reverse logistics practices are adopted by water bottling companies in Nairobi. And to determine the effect of reverse logistics on competitive advantage to water bottling companies in Nairobi. A cross sectional census survey was adopted as the research design where all the water bottling companies in Nairobi were involved in the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire from logistics managers of the companies. The study concluded that there exists a very strong and significant relationship between reverse logistics practices and competitive advantage among the water bottling companies in Nairobi. It was clear that the most prevalent practices include: return of defective merchandise; screening of defective merchandise; re-use and recycling; remanufacture and recycling after sales support as well as employment of qualified staff.