Bridging the gap: a systematic analysis of circular economy, supply chain management, and digitization for sustainability and resilience

Abstract

The primary objective of this research paper is to conduct a comprehensive and systematic literature review (SLR) focusing on Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) practices that promote Circular Economy (CE), sustainability, and resilience through adopting emerging digital technologies. A SLR of 130 research articles published between 1991 and 2023 was used to analyze emerging trends in CE, supply chain management (SCM), and digitalization. This study meticulously examined research publication patterns, the intricate themes explored, influential scholars, leading countries, and substantial scientific contributions that have shaped this multifaceted domain. This paper contributed to the collective understanding of how SSCM practices, driven by the principles of CE and empowered by the adoption of digital technologies, foster sustainability, resilience, and innovation within contemporary SCs. The research findings presented herein are primarily based on an analysis of the current literature from only Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, which may restrict the generalizability of implementing these results. Based on this study, organizations and practitioners can assess the maturity of their SCM practices, gauge the resilience and digitalization levels of their SCs, and align them with academic literature trends. This enables practitioners to bridge the gap between scholarly advancements and real-world SCM implementation. Through its systematic review, the study provides a structured literature review that offers a collective understanding of SSCM practices driven by CE principles and empowered by digital technologies. This understanding enables sustainability, resilience, and innovation within contemporary SCs, benefiting academicians and practitioners.