IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/teinso/v84y2026ics0160791x25002659.html

Digital platforms as enablers of circular economy practices: Insights from a Chinese province?

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Hangtang
  • Li, Zhijian
  • Zhu, Peng

Abstract

The transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE) is critical for sustainable development, particularly in resource-intensive economies like China. This study examines the role of digital platforms as enablers of the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3Rs) principles across Chinese provinces. By integrating Schumpeterian Innovation Theory, the Resource-Based View (RBV), and Institutional Theory, we develop a theoretical framework explaining how digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics—enhance resource efficiency, industrial symbiosis, and waste recycling. Using provincial panel data from 2010 to 2024, we empirically assess the impact of digitalization on CE performance through panel econometric models and spatial econometrics. Our findings suggest that higher levels of digital adoption have mixed impact on circular economy. The impact varies across regions, with coastal provinces benefiting more due to advanced digital infrastructure. The results provide policy implications for integrating digital technologies into CE strategies, particularly in emerging economies. This study contributes to the growing literature on digital sustainability by offering empirical evidence on the digitalization-CE nexus and proposing policy recommendations for achieving a tech-enabled circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Hangtang & Li, Zhijian & Zhu, Peng, 2026. "Digital platforms as enablers of circular economy practices: Insights from a Chinese province?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:84:y:2026:i:c:s0160791x25002659
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103075
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160791X25002659
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103075?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
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mäkitie, Tuukka & Hanson, Jens & Damman, Sigrid & Wardeberg, Mari, 2023. "Digital innovation's contribution to sustainability transitions," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    2. Francesca Ciulli & Ans Kolk & Siri Boe-Lillegraven, 2020. "Circularity Brokers: Digital Platform Organizations and Waste Recovery in Food Supply Chains," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(2), pages 299-331, November.
    3. Fahimeh Khatami & Paola Bernardi & Šárka Vilamová & Enrico Cagno & Francesca Ricciardi, 2024. "Innovation ecosystem for smart product: empirical quantification of its key dimensions in SMEs of 21 European countries," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 18(9), pages 2723-2748, September.
    4. Hong Nham, Nguyen Thi & Ha, Le Thanh, 2022. "Making the circular economy digital or the digital economy circular? Empirical evidence from the European region," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    5. Shah, Sayed Kifayat & Yuan, Jingbo & Tajeddini, Kayhan & Gamage, Thilini Chathurika & Liu, Mingxia, 2025. "Exploring the nexus of institutional factors and regulatory focus in driving platform-based servitization and circular economy adoption," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    6. Al Halbusi, Hussam & Popa, Simona & Soto-Acosta, Pedro & Alshallaqi, Mohammad, 2025. "The nexus of managerial and technical AI knowledge, disruptive innovation and the circular economy: The role of organizational change capability and financial resilience," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    7. Islam, Md. Monirul & Mahmudul Alam, Md. & Sohag, Kazi, 2025. "Recycling through technology diffusion for circular economy in Europe: A decomposed assessment," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    8. Watanabe, Chihiro & Naveed, Nasir & Neittaanmäki, Pekka, 2019. "Digitalized bioeconomy: Planned obsolescence-driven circular economy enabled by Co-Evolutionary coupling," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 8-30.
    9. Caputo, Andrea & Pizzi, Simone & Pellegrini, Massimiliano M. & Dabić, Marina, 2021. "Digitalization and business models: Where are we going? A science map of the field," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 489-501.
    10. R. Souza Piao & T. B. Vincenzi & D. A. Vazquez‐Brust & N. Yakovleva & S. Bonsu & M. M. Carvalho, 2024. "Barriers toward circular economy transition: Exploring different stakeholders' perspectives," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 153-168, January.
    11. Josef‐Peter Schöggl & Lukas Stumpf & Rupert J. Baumgartner, 2024. "The role of interorganizational collaboration and digital technologies in the implementation of circular economy practices—Empirical evidence from manufacturing firms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 2225-2249, March.
    12. Yu, Jianping & Khattak, Shoukat Iqbal & Ahmad, Manzoor, 2025. "Enhancing sustainable development through digital economy and natural resource management in one belt one road countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Peng, Chen & Zhang, Yunsheng & Lai, Liubin, 2026. "A dual-path driving mechanism study of digital transformation on supply chain adaptation from the asymmetric network power perspective," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    2. Ran, Qiying & Yang, Xiaodong & Yan, Hongchuan & Xu, Yang & Cao, Jianhong, 2023. "Natural resource consumption and industrial green transformation: Does the digital economy matter?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    3. Chen, Chen & Xue, Zhixin, 2025. "New-type infrastructure and corporate digital transformation: Evidence from a multimethod machine learning approach," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    4. Daniela Firoiu & George H. Ionescu & Teodor Marian Cojocaru & Mariana Niculescu & Maria Nache Cimpoeru & Oana Alexandra Călin, 2023. "Progress of EU Member States Regarding the Bioeconomy and Biomass Producing and Converting Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-22, September.
    5. Zahoor, Nadia & Zopiatis, Anastasios & Adomako, Samuel & Lamprinakos, Grigorios, 2023. "The micro-foundations of digitally transforming SMEs: How digital literacy and technology interact with managerial attributes," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    6. Ferreira, Joao J. & Fernandes, Cristina I. & Veiga, Pedro Mota & Caputo, Andrea, 2022. "The interactions of entrepreneurial attitudes, abilities and aspirations in the (twin) environmental and digital transitions? A dynamic panel data approach," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    7. Ooms, Tahnee & Klaser, Klaudijo & Ishkanian, Armine, 2023. "The role of academia practice partnerships in the well-being economy: Retracing synergies between health and social sciences using bibliometric analysis," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    8. Uddin, Md Hamid & Mollah, Sabur & Islam, Nazrul & Ali, Md Hakim, 2023. "Does digital transformation matter for operational risk exposure?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    9. Ancillai, Chiara & Sabatini, Andrea & Gatti, Marco & Perna, Andrea, 2023. "Digital technology and business model innovation: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    10. Linhua Xia & Zhen Cao & Muhammad Bilawal Khaskheli, 2025. "How Digital Technology and Business Innovation Enhance Economic–Environmental Sustainability in Legal Organizations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-21, July.
    11. Pappas, Nikolaos & Caputo, Andrea & Pellegrini, Massimiliano Matteo & Marzi, Giacomo & Michopoulou, Eleni, 2021. "The complexity of decision-making processes and IoT adoption in accommodation SMEs," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 573-583.
    12. Antonius Setyadi & Suharno Pawirosumarto & Alana Damaris, 2025. "Sustainable Operations Strategy in the Age of Climate Change: Integrating Green Lean Practices into Operational Excellence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-36, June.
    13. Wang, Canghong & Nazar, Raima & Ali, Sajid & Meo, Muhammad Saeed, 2025. "Eco-friendly algorithms: Artificial intelligence and green finance in European intelligent nations," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    14. Federica Ceccotti & Maria Vernuccio & Alberto Mattiacci & Alberto Pastore, 2025. "Traditional agencies on bridges: How is digital transformation changing business models?," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 29(2), pages 503-541, June.
    15. Fazal Ur Rehman & Basheer M. Al-Ghazali & Adel Ghaleb Haddad & Ehab Abdullatif Qahwash & M. Sadiq Sohail, 2023. "Exploring the Reverse Relationship between Circular Economy Innovation and Digital Sustainability—The Dual Mediation of Government Incentives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, March.
    16. Maximilian Kardung & Kutay Cingiz & Ortwin Costenoble & Roel Delahaye & Wim Heijman & Marko Lovrić & Myrna van Leeuwen & Robert M’Barek & Hans van Meijl & Stephan Piotrowski & Tévécia Ronzon & Johanne, 2021. "Development of the Circular Bioeconomy: Drivers and Indicators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-24, January.
    17. Daliborka Witschel & Julian Marius Müller & Kai-Ingo Voigt, 2023. "What Takes the Wind out of Their Sails? A Micro-Foundational Perspective of Challenges for Building Dynamic Capabilities Towards Digital Business Model Innovation," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 75(3), pages 345-388, September.
    18. Uršič, Dejan & Čater, Tomaž, 2025. "Digital innovation in management and business: A comprehensive review, multi-level framework, and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    19. Dogancan Okumus & Sefer A. Gunbeyaz & Rafet E. Kurt & Osman Turan, 2024. "An Approach to Advance Circular Practices in the Maritime Industry through a Database as a Bridging Solution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-39, January.
    20. Bashir, Muhammad Farhan & Ma, Beiling & Sharif, Arshian & Ao, Tong & Koca, Kemal, 2023. "Nuclear energy consumption, energy access and energy poverty: Policy implications for the COP27 and environmental sustainability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    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:eee:teinso:v:84:y:2026:i:c:s0160791x25002659. 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: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/technology-in-society .

    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.