How to enhance circular supply chains? Aligning R-imperatives, uncertainty management and sustainability
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 9 October 2023
Issue publication date: 19 March 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Operationalizing R-imperatives in firms is seen as vital to bolstering circularity through reduce, reuse and recycle and building circular supply chains (CSCs). However, this process introduces various uncertainties to firms within CSCs. This is a gap that still requires an in-depth analysis, particularly to answer the question of how firms align the operationalization of R-imperatives with uncertainty management to improve sustainability performance and accelerate the transition toward CSCs.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper fills this gap through a multiple-case study, whereby nine firms from varying structures, regions and manufacturing industries were examined. Qualitative content analysis was employed to examine the collected primary (27 semi-structured interviews) and secondary data (internal management reports, publicly available corporate reports and website content).
Findings
The findings support the evidence that the operationalization of R-imperatives is not a straightforward process. Within-firm and SC uncertainties largely emerged and made the building of CSCs complex. Consequently, strategies aimed at reducing uncertainty were paramount to managing uncertainties and enhancing sustainability performance. For instance, implementing durable or modular designs helped firms easily reuse, repair and recycle products. In turn, firms achieved material efficiency and contributed to extending the life cycle of products.
Practical implications
This paper explains how firms can align R-imperatives operationalization with uncertainty management to improve sustainability performance and enhance CSCs. Accordingly, firms should complement R-imperatives operationalization with proactive uncertainty management and an assessment of all environmental, economic and social sustainability dimensions.
Originality/value
This paper fills a critical gap in circular supply chain management literature by unveiling its linkage with uncertainty management and sustainability performance. Empirical insights from nine firms within CSCs are provided to guide scholars and managers interested in implementing R-imperatives.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Training Networks (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018) scheme, grant agreement number 814247 (ReTraCE project). The authors thank the editors and anonymous reviewers of IJOPM for their constructive feedback on this manuscript. The authors express this gratitude to the case study interviewees for their valuable time and shared knowledge. The authors thank the assistants and researchers from the Chair of Supply Chain Management at UniKassel for their valuable support during the research. And the peers from the scientific events where the authors presented earlier versions of this manuscript and received insightful feedback (15th EurOMA Journal Publishing Workshop/Module 1; 29th EurOMA Conference; 34th Annual Nofoma Conference).
Citation
de Lima, F.A., Seuring, S. and Genovese, A. (2024), "How to enhance circular supply chains? Aligning R-imperatives, uncertainty management and sustainability", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 44 No. 4, pp. 836-858. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-11-2022-0708
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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