Fostering the Circular Economy with Blockchain Technology: Insights from a Bibliometric Approach

Abstract

The circular economy is an emerging paradigm with important economic, environmental, and societal implications. As the world faces such paradigm shifts, new and radical technologies are urgently needed to enable it; blockchain technology can assist to accomplish the aforementioned circular economy shift given its decentralization and distributiveness principles as well as its smart contract capability. This study represents one of the first attempts to analyze those academic research domains together adopting a science mapping technique. By adopting such approach, the study envisages research challenges, highlights important research gaps, and proposes future paths in the blockchain and circular economy fields. Among the others, key findings show that blockchain technology as a tool for promoting the circular economy has been extensively researched at the micro (i.e., firm) and meso levels (i.e., supply chain) more effort on how blockchain can support the development of circular smart cites and measurement tools for providing information to stakeholders and assisting in policy creation expresses the greatest potential in terms of novel research. Moreover, the research suggests that another possible stream of research might be dealing on how blockchain together with physical technologies (e.g., 3D printing, RFID), can support the transition towards the circular economy.

Waste as Resource for Pakistan: An Innovative Business Model of Regenerative Circular Economy to Integrate Municipal Solid Waste Management Sector

“…Therefore, the legal protection initiative will act as a foundation for the designing and execution of an efficient MSW management system from the perspective of the circular economy in Pakistan [76]. For the implementation of the proposed recycling business model [77], there is a need for drafting a comprehensive SWM policy/Act at the national level by engaging all stakeholders [78], i.e., local government departments of all provinces including waste management/sanitation companies, boards, federal ministries of climate change and planning and special initiatives. In addition, there is a need to incorporate the clauses of waste ownership, sorting and the availability of land for waste enclosure on a decentralized approach, the revised criteria for sanitary supervisors and inspectors, the selection criteria for authorized mid-dealers and a mechanism to register the recycling industry and notifications of recyclables rates at the middle dealer level.…”

Harnessing Blockchain for Sustainable Procurement: Opportunities and Challenges

“…As the global community grapples with paradigm shifts, such as the transition from a linear to a circular economy, the need for innovative and radical technologies to facilitate these changes becomes paramount. Blockchain, with its decentralization, distributiveness, and smart contract capabilities, emerges as a pivotal technology to support these transitions (Corsini, Gusmerotti & Frey, 2023). The circular economy (CE) represents a departure from the traditional linear economic model, emphasizing the sustainable use of resources, waste minimization, and the creation of closed-loop systems.…”

“…The integration of blockchain technology into the CE framework can address several of these challenges. For instance, blockchain's inherent transparency can satisfy the growing demand from consumers and governments for brands and manufacturers to provide clear insights into their supply chains, ensuring ethical and sustainable practices (Corsini, Gusmerotti & Frey, 2023). Moreover, blockchain's decentralized nature aligns well with the principles of the CE.…”

“…Furthermore, the integration of blockchain with other emerging technologies, such as 3D printing and the Internet of Things (IoT), can further enhance the transition towards a circular economy. For instance, blockchain can provide a secure platform for sharing information and know-how, facilitating collaborative efforts towards sustainability (Corsini, Gusmerotti & Frey, 2023). The societal implications of blockchain integration are equally profound.…”

Clustering the Research at the Intersection of Industry 4.0 Technologies, Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy: Evidence from Literature and Future Research Directions

“…For instance, a comprehensive theoretical and practical review has been conducted on the smart circular economy (CE) paradigm, explicitly linking the technical mechanisms of I4.0 technologies with CE operational strategies [1]. Further discussions have explored the design and implementation of circular manufacturing processes, emphasizing the integration of CE with I4.0 technologies [2,3]. Previous literature has also investigated the linkages between I4.0 and sustainability, specifically focusing on sustainability performances, sustainability practices, and the influence of several moderating factors [4,5].…”