Application of digital technologies for sustainable product management in a circular economy: A review

Abstract

Digital technologies (DTs), such as the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, or blockchain, are considered as enablers for a more sustainable and circular economy. So far, literature on these topics has mostly focused on specific DTs and subareas of sustainable product management (SPM). The aim of this paper is to provide a more comprehensive overview of current and potential examples of DT applications in SPM (e.g., product design/assessment, supply chain management, and business models). The collected examples (n = 146) were analyzed based on a systematic literature review, using quantitative and qualitative content analysis. Deductive and inductive analyses of the examples revealed the potential of DTs in terms of their usability along the product life cycle, their role as enablers for circular economy strategies and in specific SPM activities. DT application often entails only incremental improvements, for example, increased efficiency of existing processes, with more radical forms of improvement remaining relatively scarce. There is clear room for greater adoption and optimization of DTs, in various areas of SPM, so as to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy.

Data requirements and availabilities for a digital battery passport – A value chain actor perspective

“…However, as of now, information gaps along value chains are present (Kintscher et al, 2021;Lawrenz et al, 2021). Such gaps occur due to, for example, poor documentation of data (Kintscher et al, 2021); different information systems being in place (across, as well as within companies), which result in transmitting data using different data formats and protocols (Garrido-Hidalgo et al, 2020;Kintscher et al, 2021); lacking infrastructure to collect, process and share data (Garrido-Hidalgo et al, 2020;Kintscher et al, 2021;Rusch et al, 2021). In addition, it needs to be noted that information gaps along the value chains are increasing if one moves farther down the value chain (Lawrenz et al, 2021;Rusch et al, 2021).…”

“…Such gaps occur due to, for example, poor documentation of data (Kintscher et al, 2021); different information systems being in place (across, as well as within companies), which result in transmitting data using different data formats and protocols (Garrido-Hidalgo et al, 2020;Kintscher et al, 2021); lacking infrastructure to collect, process and share data (Garrido-Hidalgo et al, 2020;Kintscher et al, 2021;Rusch et al, 2021). In addition, it needs to be noted that information gaps along the value chains are increasing if one moves farther down the value chain (Lawrenz et al, 2021;Rusch et al, 2021). Translated to life cycle phases, this implies that in the BoL information is rather complete compared to proceeding phases such as the middle of life (MoL) and EoL (Rusch et al, 2021).…”

“…In addition, it needs to be noted that information gaps along the value chains are increasing if one moves farther down the value chain (Lawrenz et al, 2021;Rusch et al, 2021). Translated to life cycle phases, this implies that in the BoL information is rather complete compared to proceeding phases such as the middle of life (MoL) and EoL (Rusch et al, 2021). In this context, emerging digital technologies, such as DBPs might be able to facilitate circular information flows by resuming the function of a valuable value chain and life cycle data source, hence being able to support EVB value chain stakeholders in their SPM (see Fig.…”

“…In addition, sustainability-related information (e.g., respective social and environmental sustainability performances) needs to be taken into consideration when deciding upon suitable CE strategies, as CE does not necessarily imply sustainability (Geissdoerfer et al, 2017;Schöggl et al, 2020). However, stakeholders are facing currently one major challenge: existing information 1 gaps along value chains (Rusch et al, 2021). Those gaps are attributable to, inter alia, information and data losses along value chains (e.g., due to poor documentation of data, lack of willingness to share information, lack of infrastructure to facilitate information flows, etc.)…”

Digital Entrepreneurship and Creative Industries in Tourism: A Research Agenda

“…The recent, rapid development of digital technologies-in part as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic-such as big data and analytics, the internet of things, mobile devices, social media, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud computing (Rusch et al 2022), have caused new entrepreneurs with a focus on new business opportunities to innovate in digital entrepreneurship. Moreover, the creative and cultural industries (Cooke and De Propris 2011) include activities related to architecture, cultural heritage, artistic crafts, audiovisual media, archives, libraries, visual arts, publishing festivals, music creation, and radio (Boix-Domenech and Rausell-Köster 2018), and are now considered a key driver of economic growth, recently attracting innovative entrepreneurs.…”