Analysing The Present Themes And Future Prospects Of Circular Supply Chain Management: A Critical Review

Abstract

Circular Supply Chain Management (CSCM) has emerged as a critical strategy for promoting sustainability and advancing the circular economy across industries. This review critically examines the current themes and future directions of CSCM, focusing on key drivers, challenges, and sector-specific implementations. Regulatory pressures, stakeholder awareness, and economic incentives drive organizations toward circular practices, while high investment costs, technological complexities, and organizational resistance hinder adoption. Digital technologies—including artificial intelligence, big data analytics, blockchain, and the Internet of Things—play a pivotal role in enabling traceability, predictive planning, and resource optimization. Reverse logistics and closed-loop systems underpin circular operations, facilitating product recovery, remanufacturing, and sustainable business models. Sector-specific implementations across automotive, textile, manufacturing, electronics, and heavy industries highlight tailored strategies, benefits, and challenges. Emerging trends such as industrial symbiosis, eco-industrial parks, globalization, and technology-enabled transparency suggest a pathway toward resilient, sustainable, and globally integrated supply chains. The review underscores the need for holistic approaches combining technological, managerial, and policy interventions to achieve operational efficiency, environmental sustainability, and long-term competitiveness.