Leveraging the circular economy with a closed-loop supply chain and a reverse omnichannel using blockchain technology and incentives

Antecedents and consequents of circular economy adoption: A meta-Analytic Investigation

This paper aims to integrate and empirically assess the antecedents and consequents of circular economy (CE) adoption to remove ambiguity existing in the literature and clarify divergent views. This study uses meta-analysis methodology to validate the research framework, considering 106 empirical studies with 210 effect sizes. Based on these studies, we establish twelve antecedents and three consequents related to CE. Antecedents are categorized in a technological-organizational-environmental framework and consequents in the sustainability outcomes. The result suggests that organisational factors are more prominent in driving CE practices, followed by environmental and technological factors. In the organisational category, the three most influencing factors are managing product returns, green manufacturing, and environmental strategy. In the environmental category, coercive pressure is the most influential factor, followed by mimetic and social pressures. Emerging I4.0 technologies are the most prominent factor in the technological category. Our study suggests that CE helps to achieve sustainable performance by significantly enabling economic, environmental, and social outcomes. This study further analyses how contextual factors such as national culture (masculinity) and economic regions influence the various relationships with CE using subgroup analysis. The moderation results show that low masculine culture and developing economies are more effectively using the I4.0 technologies to drive CE adoption than high masculine culture and developed economies. Additionally, different dimensions of sustainability are also influenced by the variations in masculinity and economic regions.

Sustainable performance in SMEs using big data analytics for closed-loop supply chains and reverse omnichannel

The study aims to examine the advantages of utilizing big data analytics (BDA) on circular economy (CE) dual systems, which are closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) and the reverse omnichannel (ROC), aiming to enhance sustainable firm performance (SFP) of the small and medium based enterprises (SMEs). The product return knowledge (PRK) can reinforce the proposed network of relationships and facilitate the approach of active returns in CE. Using the structural equation model (SEM) in AMOS v24, the researchers examined the hypotheses using data from a simple random sample of 232 SMEs in Pakistan. Though ROC solutions provide rare performance-related benefits, however, BDA makes the CE system more efficient. CLSC gets strengthened when the PRK is developed. The improved PRK facilitates the CLSC network and enhances its performance. This study adopts a novel approach to studying CE by considering the dual system of CE in the forms of CLSC and ROC. The research investigates whether the BDA facilitates improved product return processes by improving CLSC operations and achieving service capabilities using ROC. Finally, the proposed framework is the first to investigate the benefits evolving from the PRK, which enhance the capability to sense, seize, and reconfigure the process and facilitate the approach of active return in CE. The findings suggest that firms must decide carefully between CLSC and ROC. Choosing CLSC requires higher operational capabilities, whereas deciding on ROC requires higher service capabilities. Lastly, PRK is necessary for achieving the firm's performance objectives.

Portfolios of sustainable practices for packaging in the circular economy: an analysis of Italian firms

Purpose

This study analyzes sustainable practices adopted by Italian firms to enhance the circularity of packaging and related results in terms of environmental improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed an empirical analysis using publicly available data from the National Consortium of Packaging (CONAI) in Italy, which consists of 603 circular packaging projects. The authors ran both descriptive and prescriptive analyses to determine individual sustainable practices and portfolios adopted to enhance packaging circularity and to verify related reductions in terms of CO2 emissions as well as energy usage and water consumption.

Findings

The findings reveal that firms are more accustomed to focusing on single sustainable practices than on portfolios of practices to achieve packaging circularity. Raw material saving and logistics optimization are the most frequent sustainable practices adopted by firms to improve circularity of packaging. The reuse of packaging allows firms to simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions, energy usage and water consumption. Preferences in terms of portfolio of sustainable practices are strictly linked to the types of materials used for packaging and environmental targets.

Originality/value

The authors investigate environmental practices that firms adopt to support packaging circularity, and the authors detect portfolios of sustainable practices that positively impact environmental performance indicators. This research extends a significant glimpse into the portfolio of sustainable practices for packaging in the circular economy implemented by firms, filling academic gaps and indicating business opportunities and avenues for economic development.