IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i17p13192-d1231450.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Implications of Digitalization in Retail Service Delivery on Circular Economy in Nigeria: An Exploratory Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • John Ayo Olaghere

    (School of Economics and Management, Hunan Institute of Science and Technology, Yueyang 414006, China)

  • Henry Egbezien Inegbedion

    (Department of Business Administration, College of Management and Social Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo 232102, Nigeria)

  • Faith Ogheneriode Osiobe

    (Pinkkees Global Services Ltd., Nana St., Ughelli 3331, Nigeria)

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) model has gained greater recognition and acceptance in recent years for its potential to enhance sustainability. Within this context, many practices in the retail sector are being overhauled through technological innovation, thereby changing the business landscape. Digitalization facilitates this transformation to mitigate the impacts of climate change without sacrificing productivity. This article explored the implications of digitalization in retail processes for CE in Nigeria and advanced practices that improve efficiency. Research efforts on circularity and digitalization have concentrated on advanced economies; consequently, little is known about the situation in lower-income countries. Due to the exploratory nature of this research, a qualitative approach that combined multiple data sources was adopted. Specifically, a case study of four major grocery retailers was carried out through documentary evidence supplemented by integrating thematic categories from semi-structured interviews with seasoned retail professionals. The findings revealed that (i) the circularity paradigm is a relatively vague concept among retailers in Nigeria; (ii) digital technologies are adopted primarily for the business value they create rather than to regenerate the ecosystem; (iii) the retailers have adopted technological processes such as e-commerce channel, automation, real-time tracking, social media marketing, and digital payment; and (iv) retailers familiar with circularity favor shortening supply chains by investing in rural hubs, food waste reduction, and closed-loops and reducing the use of non-biodegradable packaging. Retail managers could gain insights from these results to move towards CE, foster efficient business processes, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • John Ayo Olaghere & Henry Egbezien Inegbedion & Faith Ogheneriode Osiobe, 2023. "The Implications of Digitalization in Retail Service Delivery on Circular Economy in Nigeria: An Exploratory Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13192-:d:1231450
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/13192/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/13192/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qinglan Liu & Adriana Hofmann Trevisan & Miying Yang & Janaina Mascarenhas, 2022. "A framework of digital technologies for the circular economy: Digital functions and mechanisms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2171-2192, July.
    2. Zhen Liu & Jing Liu & Mohamed Osmani, 2021. "Integration of Digital Economy and Circular Economy: Current Status and Future Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-27, June.
    3. Hamid Etemad, 2023. "Digitization and servitization in international entrepreneurship," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 143-149, June.
    4. Codruța Cornelia Dura & Ana Maria Mihaela Iordache & Alexandru Ionescu & Claudia Isac & Teodora Odett Breaz, 2022. "Analyzing Performance in Wholesale Trade Romanian SMEs: Framing Circular Economy Business Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-34, May.
    5. Massimiliano Borrello & Francesco Caracciolo & Alessia Lombardi & Stefano Pascucci & Luigi Cembalo, 2017. "Consumers’ Perspective on Circular Economy Strategy for Reducing Food Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Dmitry Ivanov, 2022. "Viable supply chain model: integrating agility, resilience and sustainability perspectives—lessons from and thinking beyond the COVID-19 pandemic," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 319(1), pages 1411-1431, December.
    7. Alan Murray & Keith Skene & Kathryn Haynes, 2017. "The Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Concept and Application in a Global Context," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 140(3), pages 369-380, February.
    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. Ahmad, Farhan & Bask, Anu & Laari, Sini & Robinson, Craig V., 2023. "Business management perspectives on the circular economy: Present state and future directions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    2. Alejandro Padilla-Rivera & Sara Russo-Garrido & Nicolas Merveille, 2020. "Addressing the Social Aspects of a Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    4. Benedetta Esposito & Maria Rosaria Sessa & Daniela Sica & Ornella Malandrino, 2020. "Towards Circular Economy in the Agri-Food Sector. A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-21, September.
    5. Marisa Faggini & Silvia Cosimato & Anna Parziale, 2023. "The way towards food sustainability: some insights for pasta supply chain," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 40(2), pages 679-702, July.
    6. Salvatore Ammirato & Alberto Michele Felicetti & Massimiliano Ferrara & Cinzia Raso & Antonio Violi, 2021. "Collaborative Organization Models for Sustainable Development in the Agri-Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-22, February.
    7. Marica Barbaritano & Laura Bravi & Elisabetta Savelli, 2019. "Sustainability and Quality Management in the Italian Luxury Furniture Sector: A Circular Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-22, May.
    8. Mohanty, Suvendu & Paul, Swarup, 2023. "A frame work for comparative wear based failure analysis of CNG and diesel operated engines," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    9. Antonino Galati & Giorgio Schifani & Maria Crescimanno & Demetris Vrontis & Giuseppina Migliore, 2018. "Innovation strategies geared toward the circular economy: A case study of the organic olive-oil industry," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(1), pages 137-158.
    10. Marcia Cristiane Gruba & Danielle Denes & Rodrigo Cortopassi Goron Lobo & Andrew Jay Isaak, 2022. "Circular Economy Initiatives: Strategic Implications, Resource Management, and Entrepreneurial Innovation in a Brazilian Craft Beer Ecosystem during the COVID Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.
    11. Christian Chiarot & Robert Eduardo Cooper Ordoñez & Carlos Lahura, 2022. "Evaluation of the Applicability of the Circular Economy and the Product-Service System Model in a Bearing Supplier Company," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, October.
    12. Tina Wiegand & Martin Wynn, 2023. "Sustainability, the Circular Economy and Digitalisation in the German Textile and Clothing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-30, June.
    13. Mechthild Donner & Anne Verniquet & Jan Broeze & Katrin Kayser & Hugo de Vries, 2021. "Critical success and risk factors for circular business models valorising agricultural waste and by-products," Post-Print hal-03004851, HAL.
    14. Agnieszka A. Tubis & Katarzyna Grzybowska, 2022. "In Search of Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 in Small-Medium Enterprises—A State of the Art Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-26, November.
    15. Jaroslaw Golebiewski & Josu Takala & Oskar Juszczyk & Nina Drejerska, 2019. "Local contribution to circular economy. A case study of a Polish rural municipality," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 21(3), pages 771-791.
    16. Durán-Romero, Gemma & López, Ana M. & Beliaeva, Tatiana & Ferasso, Marcos & Garonne, Christophe & Jones, Paul, 2020. "Bridging the gap between circular economy and climate change mitigation policies through eco-innovations and Quintuple Helix Model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    17. Patricia van Loon & Luk N. Van Wassenhove & Ales Mihelic, 2022. "Designing a circular business strategy: 7 years of evolution at a large washing machine manufacturer," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 1030-1041, March.
    18. Millar, Neal & McLaughlin, Eoin & Börger, Tobias, 2019. "The Circular Economy: Swings and Roundabouts?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 11-19.
    19. Pengen Mai & Steven James Day, 2023. "Persuading Reluctant Customers: The Online Marketing Communications of Car Sharing Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-18, December.
    20. L. Rocchi & L. Paolotti & C. Cortina & F. F. Fagioli & A. Boggia, 2021. "Measuring circularity: an application of modified Material Circularity Indicator to agricultural systems," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 9(1), pages 1-13, December.

    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:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:17:p:13192-:d:1231450. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.