IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/bstrat/v34y2025i3p3141-3176.html

Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility in Organizations: A Bibliometric Review

Author

Listed:
  • Mukesh Kripalani
  • Hasmukh Gajjar
  • Bipul Kumar

Abstract

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is an obligation for manufacturers to ensure environmentally sound management of their goods, even after they have been sold to consumers. Governments frame EPR rules for better waste management, and violating these rules may lead to penalties. This study aims to understand the intellectual structure of EPR and to define a framework of EPR enablers, which can help organizations devise strategies to manage their obligations effectively. The study conducts a bibliometric review of 749 journal articles published between 2012 and 2023 using the bibliometrix and the VOSViewer packages. The findings identify five knowledge clusters: EPR process and drivers; policy and legislation; consumer behavior and EPR; EPR and business models; and use of technology and science. Semi‐structured interviews with industry practitioners help discover prioritization among these clusters. Researchers and organizations can use these findings to take action and understand EPR from a more holistic perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Mukesh Kripalani & Hasmukh Gajjar & Bipul Kumar, 2025. "Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility in Organizations: A Bibliometric Review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(3), pages 3141-3176, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:34:y:2025:i:3:p:3141-3176
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.4145
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.4145
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/bse.4145?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Donthu, Naveen & Kumar, Satish & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Pandey, Nitesh & Lim, Weng Marc, 2021. "How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 285-296.
    2. Işıl & Vishal V. Agrawal & Atalay Atasu, 2020. "Extended Producer Responsibility for Durable Products," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 22(2), pages 364-382, March.
    3. Walls, Margaret, 2006. "Extended Producer Responsibility and Product Design: Economic Theory and Selected Case Studies," RFF Working Paper Series dp-06-08, Resources for the Future.
    4. Atalay Atasu, 2019. "Operational Perspectives on Extended Producer Responsibility," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(4), pages 744-750, August.
    5. Steve Evans & Doroteya Vladimirova & Maria Holgado & Kirsten Van Fossen & Miying Yang & Elisabete A. Silva & Claire Y. Barlow, 2017. "Business Model Innovation for Sustainability: Towards a Unified Perspective for Creation of Sustainable Business Models," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(5), pages 597-608, July.
    6. Kangyang Josiah Miner & Isaac Tebogo Rampedi & Ayodeji Peter Ifegbesan & Fannie Machete, 2020. "Survey on Household Awareness and Willingness to Participate in E-Waste Management in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, February.
    7. Banguera, Leonardo A. & Sepúlveda, Juan M. & Ternero, Rodrigo & Vargas, Manuel & Vásquez, Óscar C., 2018. "Reverse logistics network design under extended producer responsibility: The case of out-of-use tires in the Gran Santiago city of Chile," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 193-200.
    8. Kannan Govindan & Mia Hasanagic, 2018. "A systematic review on drivers, barriers, and practices towards circular economy: a supply chain perspective," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(1-2), pages 278-311, January.
    9. Pangburn, Michael S. & Stavrulaki, Euthemia, 2014. "Take back costs and product durability," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 238(1), pages 175-184.
    10. Hong, Xianpei & Govindan, Kannan & Xu, Lei & Du, Peng, 2017. "Quantity and collection decisions in a closed-loop supply chain with technology licensing," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 256(3), pages 820-829.
    11. Siddhartha Kushwaha & Felix T.S. Chan & Kaustov Chakraborty & Saurabh Pratap, 2022. "Collection and remanufacturing channels selection under a product take-back regulation with remanufacturing target," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(24), pages 7384-7410, December.
    12. Nees Jan Eck & Ludo Waltman, 2010. "Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 84(2), pages 523-538, August.
    13. Bulmus, Serra Caner & Zhu, Stuart X. & Teunter, Ruud, 2014. "Competition for cores in remanufacturing," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 233(1), pages 105-113.
    14. Fushuai Wang & Wenxia Cai & Ehsan Elahi, 2021. "Do Green Finance and Environmental Regulation Play a Crucial Role in the Reduction of CO 2 Emissions? An Empirical Analysis of 126 Chinese Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-20, November.
    15. Tomohiro Tasaki & Naoko Tojo & Thomas Lindhqvist, 2019. "Differences in Perception of Extended Producer Responsibility and Product Stewardship among Stakeholders: An International Questionnaire Survey and Statistical Analysis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(2), pages 438-451, April.
    16. Caterina Picuno & Emile Van Eygen & Marieke T. Brouwer & Kerstin Kuchta & Eggo U. Thoden van Velzen, 2021. "Factors Shaping the Recycling Systems for Plastic Packaging Waste—A Comparison between Austria, Germany and The Netherlands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    17. Afif, Karima & Rebolledo, Claudia & Roy, Jacques, 2022. "Evaluating the effectiveness of the weight-based packaging tax on the reduction at source of product packaging: The case of food manufacturers and retailers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    18. da Cruz, Nuno F. & Ferreira, Sandra & Cabral, Marta & Simões, Pedro & Marques, Rui Cunha, 2014. "Packaging waste recycling in Europe: is the industry paying for it?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 59755, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    19. Nima Kazemi & Nikunja Mohan Modak & Kannan Govindan, 2019. "A review of reverse logistics and closed loop supply chain management studies published in IJPR: a bibliometric and content analysis," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(15-16), pages 4937-4960, August.
    20. Zeng, Xianlai & Li, Jinhui & Liu, Lili, 2015. "Solving spent lithium-ion battery problems in China: Opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 1759-1767.
    21. Zhe Wang & Yue Wang & Zhi Liu & Jinshi Cheng & Xintong Chen, 2021. "Strategic management of product recovery and its environmental impact," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(20), pages 6104-6124, October.
    22. Nikiema, Josiane & Asiedu, Zipporah, 2022. "A review of the cost and effectiveness of solutions to address plastic pollution," Papers published in Journals (Open Access), International Water Management Institute, pages 1-27.().
    23. Joshua K Abbott & U Rashid Sumaila, 2019. "Reducing Marine Plastic Pollution: Policy Insights from Economics," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 13(2), pages 327-336.
    24. Özdemir, Öznur & Denizel, Meltem & Guide, V. Daniel R., 2012. "Recovery decisions of a producer in a legislative disposal fee environment," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 216(2), pages 293-300.
    25. Govindan, Kannan & Soleimani, Hamed & Kannan, Devika, 2015. "Reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chain: A comprehensive review to explore the future," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 240(3), pages 603-626.
    26. Jennifer Nash & Christopher Bosso, 2013. "Extended Producer Responsibility in the United States," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 17(2), pages 175-185, April.
    27. Van Engeland, Jens & Beliën, Jeroen & De Boeck, Liesje & De Jaeger, Simon, 2020. "Literature review: Strategic network optimization models in waste reverse supply chains," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    28. Fetscherin, Marc & Heinrich, Daniel, 2015. "Consumer brand relationships research: A bibliometric citation meta-analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 380-390.
    29. Yang, Lei & Hu, Yijuan & Huang, Lijuan, 2020. "Collecting mode selection in a remanufacturing supply chain under cap-and-trade regulation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(2), pages 480-496.
    30. Mateusz Lewandowski, 2016. "Designing the Business Models for Circular Economy—Towards the Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-28, January.
    31. Fu Gu & Jianfeng Guo & Philip Hall & Xinjian Gu, 2019. "An integrated architecture for implementing extended producer responsibility in the context of Industry 4.0," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(5), pages 1458-1477, March.
    32. Tang, Christopher S. & Zhou, Sean, 2012. "Research advances in environmentally and socially sustainable operations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 223(3), pages 585-594.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Erdmann, Maximilian Vincent & Walkowitz, Gari, 2025. "Testing eco-modulation policy incentives: Experimental evidence on extended producer responsibility," MPRA Paper 126860, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Yuqing Geng & Siqiao Zhao & Xiaohan Zhang & Jianyi Li & Yan Yan & Juan Gao, 2026. "Sustainable Consumption and Production: Research Status, Evolvement, and Trends Over the Recent Two Decades," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(1), pages 416-456, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jakob T. Pruess, 2023. "Unraveling the complexity of extended producer responsibility policy mix design, implementation, and transfer dynamics in the European Union," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(6), pages 1500-1520, December.
    2. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Chow, Pui-Sze & Lee, Chang Hwan & Shen, Bin, 2018. "Used intimate apparel collection programs: A game-theoretic analytical study," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 44-62.
    3. Zhang, Abraham & Wang, Jason X. & Farooque, Muhammad & Wang, Yulan & Choi, Tsan-Ming, 2021. "Multi-dimensional circular supply chain management: A comparative review of the state-of-the-art practices and research," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    4. Assunta Di Vaio & Rohail Hassan & Gabriella D’Amore & Riccardo Tiscini, 2024. "Responsible innovation and ethical corporate behavior in the Asian fashion industry: A systematic literature review and avenues ahead," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 1129-1173, September.
    5. Zhu, He & Hu, Jiayao & Yang, Ying, 2025. "Towards a circular supply chain for retired electric vehicle batteries: A systematic literature review," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    6. Niloofar Jefroy & Mathew Azarian & Hao Yu, 2022. "Moving from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0: What Are the Implications for Smart Logistics?," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-27, April.
    7. Kaustov Chakraborty & Arindam Ghosh & Saurabh Pratap, 2023. "Adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain operations: a comprehensive literature study analysis," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 1989-2007, December.
    8. Cai, Ya-Jun & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Feng, Lipan & Li, Yongjian, 2022. "Producer's choice of design-for-environment under environmental taxation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 297(2), pages 532-544.
    9. Liu, Jian & Mantin, Benny & Song, Xuefeng, 2022. "Rent, sell, and remanufacture: The manufacturer's choice when remanufacturing can be outsourced," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 303(1), pages 184-200.
    10. Hong, Xianpei & Cao, Xinlu & Gong, Yeming & Chen, Wanying, 2021. "Quality information acquisition and disclosure with green manufacturing in a closed-loop supply chain," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 232(C).
    11. Catherine Georgiou, 2025. "Puzzling behavioral mechanisms under extreme market conditions: A bibliometric and systematic literature review," Bulletin of Applied Economics, Risk Market Journals, vol. 12(2), pages 209-229.
    12. Laura Montag, 2023. "Circular Economy and Supply Chains: Definitions, Conceptualizations, and Research Agenda of the Circular Supply Chain Framework," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 35-75, March.
    13. Xianpei Hong & Xinlu Cao & Yeming Gong & Wanying (amanda) Chen, 2021. "Quality information acquisition and disclosure with green manufacturing in a closed-loop supply chain," Post-Print hal-03188234, HAL.
    14. Saumyaranjan Sahoo & Satish Kumar & Uthayasankar Sivarajah & Weng Marc Lim & J. Christopher Westland & Ashwani Kumar, 2024. "Blockchain for sustainable supply chain management: trends and ways forward," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1563-1618, September.
    15. Goodell, John W. & Oriani, Marco Ercole & Paltrinieri, Andrea & Patel, Ritesh, 2023. "The importance of ABS 2 journals in finance scholarship: Evidence from a bibliometric case study," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 55(PA).
    16. Gabriela Sucozhañay & Iván Vidal & Paúl Vanegas, 2022. "Towards a Model for Analyzing the Circular Economy in Ecuadorian Companies: A Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    17. Antonella Zucchella & Pietro Previtali & Roger Strange, 2022. "Proactive and reactive views in the transition towards circular business models. A grounded study in the plastic packaging industry," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 1073-1102, September.
    18. Duong, Quang Huy & Zhou, Li & Meng, Meng & Nguyen, Truong Van & Ieromonachou, Petros & Nguyen, Duy Tiep, 2022. "Understanding product returns: A systematic literature review using machine learning and bibliometric analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    19. Zhou, Wenhui & Zheng, Yanfang & Huang, Weixiang, 2017. "Competitive advantage of qualified WEEE recyclers through EPR legislation," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 257(2), pages 641-655.
    20. Matsui, Kenji, 2022. "Optimal timing of acquisition price announcement for used products in a dual-recycling channel reverse supply chain," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(2), pages 615-632.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:34:y:2025:i:3:p:3141-3176. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-0836 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.