Low-carbon manufacturing-remanufacturing supply chain: systematic review and bibliometric analysis

The survival of a company is fundamentally linked to its management approach. In the context of a Manufacturing-Remanufacturing Supply Chain (MRSC), the effective integration of complementary functions while navigating operational and environmental constraints emerges as a critical factor for success. Such integration not only enhances production efficiency but also leads to significant reductions in operational costs. Despite extensive research in this domain, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis reveals notable gaps in the existing body of knowledge. This study aims to bridge these gaps by evaluating the knowledge structure, tracing its evolution, and proposing future research directions for low-carbon MRSC systems. The research is grounded in a systematic review of 141 publications retrieved from the Scopus database, covering the period from 2011 to 2022.Through bibliometric and content analyses, the study identifies seven clusters via co-citation analysis, with lead publications focusing on four key areas: integrated decision-making within MRSCs under operational and environmental constraints, investments in carbon reduction strategies, the integration of transportation activities, and the incorporation of maintenance policies and models. The findings suggest promising avenues for future research, including joint optimisation techniques, improving the quality of returned products, advancements in intelligent remanufacturing technologies, and addressing broader sustainability concerns.