Giliam Dokter, Adam Mallalieu, Sophie Isaksson Hallstedt, Ola Isaksson

Collaboration towards the design of sustainable and circular value chains

Introduction

Collaboration towards the design of sustainable and circular value chains. Explore collaboration in sustainable circular value chains. This study identifies 9 key enabling factors and analyzes frameworks, highlighting gaps in ecosystem perspective and digitalization.

Abstract

The transition to a circular economy (CE) is essential for extending product lifespans and maximizing resource use, contributing to resource efficiency and sustainability. Circular solutions demand extensive collaboration across the value chain, encompassing suppliers, distributors, and consumers. Based on a review of literature and existing frameworks for the design of circular value propositions, this study investigates key factors enabling collaboration within circular value chains and evaluates the extent to which existing frameworks address value chain collaboration. Nine key factors for collaborative circular value chains were identified: sustainability leadership, value mapping, shared vision building, trust-building, collaborative governance, collaborative processes, ecosystem perspectives and orchestration, and monitoring and evaluation. The analysis of 38 frameworks showed strong focus on value chain collaboration, but the ecosystem perspective and links to digitalisation and data sharing were underrepresented. The research highlights the role of collaborative governance and ecosystem orchestration in addressing challenges such as stakeholder engagement, data management, and balancing competitive and collaborative interests. Future research should focus on developing tools and frameworks that emphasize the intersection of sustainability, circularity, value chain collaboration, and digitalisation and data management. Comprehensive approaches are needed to help manufacturers develop capabilities for sustainable circular ecosystems, aligning roles and incentives between partners, facilitating collaboration and co-creation, and enhancing data sharing and management. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors necessary for sustainable collaborative circular value chains, providing a foundation for further research and practical guidance for industry. 

Review

This study addresses a critically important and timely topic: the design of sustainable and circular value chains through enhanced collaboration. The abstract effectively highlights the necessity of a circular economy for resource efficiency and sustainability, underscoring that extensive collaboration across the value chain is paramount for its successful implementation. By reviewing existing literature and frameworks, the research identifies nine key factors enabling collaborative circular value chains, ranging from sustainability leadership and shared vision to ecosystem perspectives and monitoring. This comprehensive identification provides a valuable structured understanding of the multi-faceted elements required for effective collaboration, laying a strong foundation for both academic discourse and practical application. A significant strength of this research lies in its rigorous evaluation of 38 existing frameworks, revealing both areas of strong focus and notable gaps. The finding that value chain collaboration is well-addressed, yet the ecosystem perspective and links to digitalization and data sharing are underrepresented, offers a crucial insight. This gap analysis directly informs the identified challenges such as stakeholder engagement, data management, and the delicate balance between competitive and collaborative interests. The study commendably emphasizes the vital roles of collaborative governance and ecosystem orchestration in navigating these complexities. The clear articulation of future research directions, particularly the call for tools and frameworks integrating sustainability, circularity, collaboration, digitalization, and data management, is highly valuable and provides a clear roadmap for subsequent investigations. Overall, this work makes a substantial contribution to the literature on circular economy and supply chain management. By meticulously mapping key collaborative factors and critically assessing existing frameworks, it provides a deeper understanding of the prerequisites for sustainable collaborative circular value chains. The proposed focus on developing comprehensive approaches that foster capabilities, align incentives, facilitate co-creation, and enhance data sharing among partners is particularly pertinent for manufacturers striving to build resilient and sustainable ecosystems. The findings not only offer a robust theoretical foundation but also provide actionable guidance for industry practitioners, making this research highly relevant and impactful for advancing the transition towards a truly circular economy.

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