Circular economy: A review of review articles

Mokter Hossain · Sukyung Park · Nathalia Suchek · Mario Pansera

77 citations0/0 files storedBusiness Strategy and the Environment

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Sustainable Supply Chain Management Environmental Sustainability in Business Sustainable Industrial Ecology

Abstract

Abstract The circular economy (CE) has emerged as a focal point in discussions surrounding sustainable development, industrial production, and resource efficiency. While it has garnered attention as a ground‐breaking paradigm with the potential to harmonize economic, societal, and environmental dynamics, divergent perspectives and critical inquiries have surfaced. This paper delves into the interdisciplinary literature on CE, exploring the interpretative flexibility inherent in its conceptualization. Acknowledging the diverse range of strategies associated with the CE, the study contends with the potential risks of its misappropriation, emphasizing the importance of understanding its systemic socio‐ecological implications. With an umbrella review approach, rarely applied in social sciences, the study navigates through 167 review articles, unveiling thematic trends and identifying gaps within the existing literature. By scrutinizing the techno‐managerial dominance within CE discussions, the paper calls attention to the overshadowing of numerous critical issues. It highlights the importance of systematic attention to CE's social aspects, essential to provide insights into how policies, strategies, and actions affect the society, as well as the emerging discussion on the alternative social transformative paradigm. The paper concludes with a three‐stage study design: a meticulous review of 167 articles, a thematic analysis revealing trends, and a reflective exploration of potential research avenues. This review serves as a comprehensive guide for scholars and practitioners for a holistic understanding of CE and encouraging contributions to address identified gaps and fostering the evolution of CE literature.

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References

2009Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping 2017bibliometrix : An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis 2009A typology of reviews: an analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies 2016The Circular Economy – A new sustainability paradigm?2017Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions 2014Bibliometric Methods in Management and Organization 2015A review on circular economy: the expected transition to a balanced interplay of environmental and economic systems 2015The Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Concept and Application in a Global Context

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