Investigating the Role of Supply Chain Accessibility and Supply Chain Collaboration in the Sustainable Performance of Reverse Logistics

Efficient product recovery processes are essential in the food industry due to the time-sensitive and environmentally delicate nature of its operations. Addressing these challenges is critical for enhancing the sustainable performance of reverse logistics. The study investigates the sustainable performance of reverse logistics (SPoRL) within Indonesia's food industry, focusing on the roles of supply chain accessibility (SCA) and supply chain collaboration (SCC). Drawing on the supply chain practice view (SCPV) and contingency theory (CT), the study examines how SCA and SCC contribute to SPoRL and whether SCC moderates the relationship between SCA and SPoRL. Structured questionnaires were distributed to food and beverage companies listed in the directory of Indonesia Manufacturing Industry 2022 and only 392 companies responded. A partial least squares-structural equation modeling technique is employed to assess the main and moderating effects of the SCA and SCC. The findings exhibit that SCA and SCC significantly directly impact SPoRL, highlighting the importance of accessible supply chain information and collaborative practices in achieving sustainability goals. However, SCC fails to demonstrate a moderating effect on the SCA–SPoRL relationship. The results contribute theoretical insights into the interrelations among SCA, SCC, and SPoRL while offering practical guidance for managers to align internal and external supply chain operations effectively. The studied model explains only 55.8% of the variance in SPoRL. Hence, future research is recommended to refine the framework by exploring alternative moderators, incorporating additional variables, or employing mediation analysis to enhance explanatory power.