Giannis T. Tsoulfas

An environmental analysis of the reverse supply chain of SLI batteries

An environmental analysis of the used starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries sector, based on the logistics involved in the recovery process and the tools available for measuring the environmental impact of such a process, is performed in this paper. The different phases of the reverse supply chain of used batteries are analysed, and the operations and practices involved are related with the impact on the environment, using a life cycle analysis. The analysis is exemplified by using the results of a case study. In addition, the situation in different countries from a legislative point of view is presented. Finally, the results of the analysis are summarised and several important issues arising from the analysis are discussed.

Extended Design Principles for Closed Loop Supply Chains: Optimising Economic, Logistic and Environmental Performance

Closed loop supply chains aim at closing goods flows thereby limiting emission and residual waste, but also providing customer service at low cost. In this paper we study design principles for closed loop supply chains, both from a theoretical perspective and a business case. Obvious improvements can be made by applying traditional ‘forward logistics’ principles. Also new, life cycle driven principles need to be applied. This can be supported by advanced management tools such as LCA and LCC.

LCA as a Tool for the Evaluation of End-of-life Options of Spent Products

The extension of the traditional supply chain not only raises significant logistics and operational issues, but also environmental ones. Reverse logistics is doubly connected with environmental management issues.

A multi-objective re-assembling policy model and its implementation in the case of a network of personal computers

Re-assembling identical or similar deteriorating systems which are elements of a network (for example, a network of personal computers) from used and new parts represents a special case of closed loop supply chains management. Environmental gains may incur, since the life cycle of used components may be extended by re-using them instead of putting them into the waste stream. These benefits are assessed using a case study referring to personal computers. The problem examined is to find proper re-assembly policies in a time period, under a limited budget as well as re-assembly and compatibility constraints, so as to obtain the Pareto optimal solutions for the overall performance and the total environmental savings.

Risk management in a major highway construction joint venture project

This paper deals with risk management in a major highway construction project in progress, that of the design, construction, operation, maintenance and exploitation of the Elefsina-Korinthos-Patra-Pyrgos-Tsakona (‘Olympia Odos’) motorway in Greece, a collaboration between the Greek State and a private concessionaire. The contract between those stakeholders is analysed in order to identify possible foreseen and unforeseen risks to the project. Then, with the help of an expert panel, those risks are assessed and categorised in probability-versus-impact matrices. Also, as the project is currently stalled due to several reasons, another objective of the paper is to pinpoint the risks responsible for that problem, which require particular attention in order for the project to resume. Finally, this paper detects possible bias in the various points of the contract in favour of the Greek State or the concessionaire.

Application of the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Framework in Greece

The purpose of this paper is to study corporate social responsibility reporting in Greece. Several aspects of corporate social responsibility and reporting are discussed with a particular focus on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Framework. Its state, trends and evolution are outlined and the country reporting index as well as the region reporting index are introduced. The case of Greek companies and the diffusion of the aforementioned reporting framework in Greece are examined. In addition, corporate social responsibility reports issued by 35 Greek companies in 2011 are analysed with respect to the performance indicators used.

Enhancing LCA-related decision-making

In this paper, the problem of decision-making within a life cycle assessment framework is treated. Models are developed and a methodology is proposed by means of which a dominance analysis may be performed and the activities with significant contribution to the environmental performance of a product system may be revealed. Several models are proposed, in which environmental, economic and technical criteria are integrated from several alternative perspectives, using integer programming techniques.

A web-based collaborative decision-making tool for Life Cycle Interpretation

The Interpretation phase of Life Cycle Assessment raises important issues, both from a theoretical and an application point of view, particularly if a decision-making procedure is involved during this phase. In this paper, an advanced web-based collaborative decision-making tool, which includes several argumentation and knowledge management features, will be presented. Argumentative discourses, which may be carried out through this tool, can be utilized in order to arrive at collaborative decisions. The paper will demonstrate the utilization of the tool for Life Cycle Interpretation.