Barriers to effective circular supply chain management in a developing country context

Abstract

Circular supply chain emphasizes surge in application of reuse, recycling and remanufacturing and thereby promotes the transformation of manufacturing characteristics from linear ('take-produce-utilize-dump') to circular model of flow of products, by-products and waste. Supply chains of manufacturing industries have become global in last few decades. Products manufactured in developing nations like India and China are being sent to developed nations for consumption in higher volumes. Developed nations have the regulatory policies, technological knowhow and modern infrastructure to adopt circular supply chain model. Their counterpart is trailing in these aspects. In literature, limited research work has been performed on identifying challenges of implementing circular supply chain management in developing nations and their contextual association. In this article, based on thorough literature review and feedback received from experts, sixteen important barriers were identified to circular supply chain management adoption in Indian context. The listed barriers were then analysed using an integrated Interpretive Structural Modelling-MICMAC approach. This study attempts to identify the contextual interactions among identified barriers and to examine their hierarchical levels in effective adoption and implementation of circular supply chain management. The findings of this research will contribute in transforming supply chains in terms of bringing economic prosperity, addressing global warming issues and generating numerous employment opportunities. Finally, some crucial policy measures and recommendations are proposed to assist managers and government bodies to adopt and manage the concepts of circular supply chains effectively in Indian context.

Blockchain technology and its relationships to sustainable supply chain management

“…External pressures and support for implementing sustainability and technological practices can drive organisations to integrate them into their processes. Lack of appropriate governmental and industry policy and willingness to direct and support sustainable and safe practice is a hurdle for achieving sustainability and advanced technological supporting mechanisms (Mangla et al 2018). Governmental regulations and laws are still unclear about the usage of blockchain technology.…”

Main Dimensions in the Building of the Circular Supply Chain: A Literature Review

“…For this reason, we can consider a change of model in which the sale is associated to the utility of the product, and not to the naked property of the same one. A collaborative consumption model needs to be developed for improved interaction among customers, suppliers, and retailers to access to products rather than ownership of products [19]. For that reason, it is necessary to consider, in diverse industries, other commercial relations with clients beyond sales [1].…”

“…It would imply a reduction in the production and consumption of raw materials [18]. Consequently, circular supply chain (CSC) promotes transformation from a linear to a circular model of flow of products [19]. The aim would be to provide a coherent framework for redesigning systems to enable a restorative economy, based on a benefit from the flow of resources and products over their lifetime, limiting the material input to society [20][21][22].…”

Understanding Interdependencies among Social Sustainability Evaluation Criteria in an Emerging Economy

“…The ISM is able to produce insights about if an element has any impact on others, but it does not help with realizing the extent of impact an element may have on others. The MICMAC method uses the outcomes of ISM as input to define the driving (DR) and dependence (DP) powers of elements under consideration [58]. The DR value shows the degree to which an element helps achieve or influence other elements.…”