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Development in the Circular Economy Concept: Systematic Review in Context of an Umbrella Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Sugam Upadhayay

    (College of Business, Westcliff University, Irvine, CA 92614, USA)

  • Omaima Alqassimi

    (College of Business, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates)

  • Edmund Khashadourian

    (College of Business, Westcliff University, Irvine, CA 92614, USA)

  • Alex Sherm

    (College of Business, Westcliff University, Irvine, CA 92614, USA)

  • Dinesh Prajapati

    (University Grants Commission, Bhaktapur 44811, Nepal)

Abstract

Even though the traction towards a circular economy (CE) is on the rise, and the benefits a CE has across ecological, economic, and social frontiers have been undeniable, still, CE-related developments and its adoption have not been appealing. This study conducts a systematic literature review of the CE-related literature in line with the ‘umbrella framework’ to find the current state of the diffusion and diversification of CE concepts both in the academic context as well as in application. Using a thematic and content analysis of the sampled literature, the study (i) develops a comprehensive and inclusive CE definition and (ii) examines the level of diffusion of CE in the economy. The study concludes that, even though CE-related developments are positive and promising, it is still in the validity phase of the umbrella framework and recommends focusing more on the application-based intervention of the CE.

Suggested Citation

  • Sugam Upadhayay & Omaima Alqassimi & Edmund Khashadourian & Alex Sherm & Dinesh Prajapati, 2024. "Development in the Circular Economy Concept: Systematic Review in Context of an Umbrella Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-42, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:4:p:1500-:d:1336808
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cristina Cauti?anu & Laura Asandului & Mioara Borza & Ciprian Turturean, 2018. "Quantitative Approach to Circular Economy in the OECD Countries," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 20(48), pages 262-262.
    2. Wen, C.F. & Zhao, Y.L. & Liang, R.Z., 2007. "Recycle of low chemical potential substance," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 51(2), pages 475-486.
    3. Concepción Garcés-Ayerbe & Pilar Rivera-Torres & Inés Suárez-Perales & Dante I. Leyva-de la Hiz, 2019. "Is It Possible to Change from a Linear to a Circular Economy? An Overview of Opportunities and Barriers for European Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Companies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-15, March.
    4. 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.
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    7. Fenna Blomsma & Geraldine Brennan, 2017. "The Emergence of Circular Economy: A New Framing Around Prolonging Resource Productivity," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 603-614, June.
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    9. Korhonen, Jouni & Honkasalo, Antero & Seppälä, Jyri, 2018. "Circular Economy: The Concept and its Limitations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 37-46.
    10. Willi Haas & Fridolin Krausmann & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Markus Heinz, 2015. "How Circular is the Global Economy?: An Assessment of Material Flows, Waste Production, and Recycling in the European Union and the World in 2005," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(5), pages 765-777, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Born, Konstantin, 2025. "Adoption of circular economy practices in the mining sector: Evidence from Chile," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    2. Maria Antoniadou, 2024. "Integrating Lean Management and Circular Economy for Sustainable Dentistry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-25, November.
    3. Nour Mattour & Souad Kamoun-Chouk, 2025. "Circular Economy Challenges and Opportunities amidst Sustainable Development and Perpetual Crises: A Reflection from the Learning Lens of Palestinian Universities," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 699-717, February.
    4. Emilio López & Maria de Fátima Oliveira & Pedro Reis, 2025. "The Use of Circular Economy in Horticulture Research: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-16, April.

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