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The Impact of Digital Technologies and Sustainable Practices on Circular Supply Chain Management

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Romagnoli

    (Department of Business and Management, Luiss University, 00197 Rome, Italy)

  • Claudia Tarabu'

    (Department of Business and Management, Luiss University, 00197 Rome, Italy)

  • Behzad Maleki Vishkaei

    (Department of Business and Management, Luiss University, 00197 Rome, Italy)

  • Pietro De Giovanni

    (Department of Business and Management, Luiss University, 00197 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Background : This study investigates how firms can enhance the functionality of their circular supply chains (CSCs) by adopting a portfolio of sustainable practices as well as digital technologies to increase performance. It analyzes the benefits that firms can obtain when investing in specific technologies to boost the impact of technologies and sustainable practices on CSCs, and further increase performance. Methods: We test several hypotheses by using structural equation modeling as well as multi-group analysis to verify whether CSCs can be achieved through sustainable practices and technologies and improve the firms’ performance. Results: The empirical results partially support the research hypotheses. While the main research hypotheses are fully supported, the analysis of single digital technologies reveals that only a few solutions can contribute to both the management and the improvement of the CSC. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the identification of green suppliers and ad hoc environmental regulations, combined with attention to the origin and provenance of raw materials, can promote a CSC. Moreover, transportation management systems (TMS) and the internet of things (IoT) are efficient technologies for managing transportation and product flow in the CSC. Furthermore, machine learning (ML) is effective in making positive green decisions, and 3D printing can extend product life.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Romagnoli & Claudia Tarabu' & Behzad Maleki Vishkaei & Pietro De Giovanni, 2023. "The Impact of Digital Technologies and Sustainable Practices on Circular Supply Chain Management," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:7:y:2023:i:1:p:1-:d:1023394
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Al-kahtib, Ayman & Alghababsheh, Mohammad & Khattab, Mais, 2025. "The role of organizational ambidexterity and frugal innovation in enhancing circular supply chains: The effect of artificial intelligence capabilities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    3. William Viera-Arroyo & Liliane Binego & Francis Ryans & Duther López & Martín Moya & Lya Vera & Carlos Caicedo, 2025. "Systematic Review of Integrating Technology for Sustainable Agricultural Transitions: Ecuador, a Country with Agroecological Potential," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-25, July.
    4. Md Nazrul Islam & Md Mofazzal Hossain & Md Shafayet Shahed Ornob, 2024. "Business research on Industry 4.0: a systematic review using topic modelling approach," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Ashish Dwivedi & Anirban Ganguly & Sanjoy Kumar Paul, 2024. "Critical success factors for linking digital technologies and circular supply chains," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 8332-8360, December.
    6. Cheng, Wenyin & Ouyang, Xin & Yu, Anqi & Shen, Zhiyang & Vardanyan, Michael, 2024. "Subjective perceptions versus objective outcomes: Assessing the impact of smart city pilots on environmental quality in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    7. Ahmad Ali Atieh & Alhareth Abu Hussein & Saheer Al-Jaghoub & Ahmad Fathi Alheet & Murad Attiany, 2025. "The Impact of Digital Technology, Automation, and Data Integration on Supply Chain Performance: Exploring the Moderating Role of Digital Transformation," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-24, January.
    8. Özden Özkanlısoy & Füsun Bulutlar, 2023. "Measuring Supply Chain Performance as SCOR v13.0-Based in Disruptive Technology Era: Scale Development and Validation," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-35, September.
    9. Massari, Giovanni Francesco & Nacchiero, Raffaele & Giannoccaro, Ilaria, 2025. "Transformative supply chains: the enabling role of digital technologies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    10. Masoomi, Behzad & Sahebi, Iman Ghasemian & Gholian-Jouybari, Fatemeh & Mejia-Argueta, Christopher & Hajiaghaei-Keshteli, Mostafa, 2024. "The role of internet of things adoption on the sustainability performance of the renewable energy supply chain: A conceptual framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    11. Jorge Alfredo Cerqueira-Streit & Patrícia Guarnieri & Luciel Henrique de Oliveira & Jacques Demajorovic, 2023. "From Trash to Profit: How Packaging Waste Management Has Driven the Circular Economy—An Integrative Literature Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-19, September.
    12. Tadesse Kenea Amentae & Girma Gebresenbet & Nuredin Jemal Abdela, 2024. "Impact of Supply Chain Management on Business Sustainability: Case of Water Bottling Companies in and Around Finfinnee, Ethiopia," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-39, December.

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