A systematic review on drivers, barriers, and practices towards circular economy: a supply chain perspective

Abstract

In the last few years, the circular economy has received considerable attention worldwide because it offers an opportunity to optimise and promote sustainable production and consumption through new models based on continuous growth and limitless resources. Although various advantages have been identified that emerge from the application of a circular economy, no concrete studies exist that investigate current state-of-the-art drivers, barriers and practices in this relevant field. An in-depth exploration of current practices would enhance the circular economy’s significance and would help understand its present level of implementation. With this concern, this study provides an analysis of the drivers, barriers and practices that influence the implementation of the circular economy in the context of supply chains through a systematic review. In order to analyse the circular economy’s level of implementation, we correlate stakeholders’ perspectives with drivers, barriers, and practices; thus, a multi-perspective framework is proposed. From the results, it is evident that among various stakeholders, the governmental perspective has the maximum positive impact on the implementation of the circular economy in supply chains. Specifically, the circular economy can be promoted through laws, policies, risk reduction (through tax levies) and strict governance.