Cykl zycia produktu – od marketingu, przez kreację handlu do raportowania ESG

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present the meaning of the term “Product Life Cycle†(PLC) in various fields of science and practical business applications. The authors show how the concept has evolved — from classical marketing and product management approaches, through its use in human resource management and international trade, to contemporary perspectives related to ESG reporting and the circular economy. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is of a review nature and is based on an analysis of the scientific literature in the areas of marketing, management, economics, international trade, and sustainable development. The authors used sources available in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to compare different approaches to interpreting the PLC concept. Findings: The literature analysis indicates that the product life cycle is a concept with broad and interdisciplinary applications. In marketing and product management, it serves as the foundation for strategic sales planning; in human resource management, it functions as a tool for assessing personnel efficiency; and in international trade theory, it explains shifts in export and import directions. In contemporary contexts, the PLC gains new importance within sustainable development and ESG reporting, becoming a tool for evaluating products’ environmental impacts and the effectiveness of circular economy processes. Originality/value: The value of the article lies in its synthetic approach to the diverse interpretations of the PLC concept and in demonstrating their richness and variety within a single study. The authors highlight that the literature still lacks works combining these multiple perspectives. Thus, this publication makes a significant contribution to the discussion on the universality of the PLC concept in the management of modern organizations.