Emerging Associates of the Circular Economy - MDPI

Citation: Ghosh, A.; Bhola, P.;

Sivarajah, U. Emerging Associates of

the Circular Economy: Analysing

Interactions and Trends by a Mixed

Methods Systematic Review.

Sustainability 2022, 14, 9998.

https://doi.org/10.3390/

su14169998

Academic Editor: Anna Mazzi

Received: 1 July 2022

Accepted: 5 August 2022

Published: 12 August 2022

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sustainability

Systematic Review

Emerging Associates of the Circular Economy: AnalysingInteractions and Trends by a Mixed Methods Systematic ReviewAnimesh Ghosh 1,*, Prabha Bhola 1,* and Uthayasankar Sivarajah 2

1 Rajendra Mishra School of Engineering Entrepreneurship, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur,Kharagpur 721302, India

2 School of Management, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, UK* Correspondence: [email protected] (A.G.); [email protected] (P.B.);

Tel.: +91-9836594952 (A.G.); +91-9475838886 (P.B.)

Abstract: Circular Economy (CE) frameworks augmented multi-dimensional research, includingdefinitions, principles, indicators, history, limitations, enablers, and allied issues. Rethinking thedesigning strategies requires the exploration of CE associates and their functioning as companions foramplification through multiple suggestions, highlighting the interactions with the overall CE systemtowards sustainability. This paper focuses on how CE literature concentrates on premeditated areasand solution approaches. A lack of deterministic manifestations critically limits the interpretationand application of CE concepts. The paper contributes to the CE theoretical and practical understand-ing by for the first time outlining the CE associates, their connotation, progression, positioning inarchitecture, and their current state. These associates support individualization of a CE concept. Thecoherently applied methodology attempts to reduce the knowledge gap by following a systematicquantitative literature review process to screen 76 articles and 122 CE definitions, referencing onedecade of literature. Application of comprehensive morphological mining facilitated the extraction ofCE associates and later analysis. On application of Bibliometric Analysis, Text Analysis, SemanticAnalysis, and Relation Mapping to the literature, 49 associates emerged. They were further validatedby application of Content Analysis and Weighted Average Priority Ranking on extracted articlecontent and definitions for deriving the most prominent associates. Subsequently, Association RulesData Mining and K-Means Clustering were deployed in exploring the relations, ranking, and signifi-cance of CE associates. The findings consistently state that business actions (virtualize, exchange);sustainability pillars (society); and R strategies (refuse, refill, and repurpose) are unexplored CEassociates, whereas Business, Economics, Environment, Measurement, Product, Industry, Resource,System, Waste, and Recycle are the most explored associates of the CE ecosystem.

Keywords: Circular Economy; systematic review; associates; definitions; analysis; significance;mapping

1. Introduction

The linear growth model of the take–make–use–dispose tradition is primarily caus-ing the climate change hazard with an extraordinary rate of environmental pollution,which threatens planetary boundaries, creating uncertainties in the Linear economy-basedworld [1]. Rapid extraction and overexploitation of resources vis-à-vis the planet’s ability toregenerate or reverse the cycle is the main reason for recent deliberations on responsible pro-duction and consumption among stakeholders [2]. The Circular Economy (CE) is emergingas an advanced alternate model by designing environmentally integrated systems to bal-ance the sustainable pillars coupled with industrial progression. It involves the replicationof lean systems with minimal or zero waste with highly optimized bundling of resources tofoster natural cycles into production as well as consumption processes. Transition towardsCE in today’s society requires dedicated policies, frameworks, and social changes to create

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a value chain not only for products and materials but also for processes and consumerbehaviour. Beyond policies, directives, and regulations, a more crucial aspect is shiftingfrom the pure profit maximization tendency by firms/industries while simultaneouslydeparting from a highly price-sensitive mind-set and switching over by consumers. Co-integration of the two sectors will build a conducive atmosphere, leading to proper andfaster implementation of CE models. CE fundamentals aim to maintain the long-term valueof materials/products by reducing wastes and to further preserve resources by refurbishingor recycling or reusing them into another product/raw material [3].

Enabling such transformations requires an in-depth understanding of the CE systemsaligning with its principles, schools of thought, frameworks, etc., with the inter-operatingassociates. In the given context, the identification of these associates of CE systems ispertinent, and how they potentially interact and integrate. Their manifestation helps indemonstrating optimal strategies and innovative solutions for sectors. Limited transforma-tion towards CE ranges from various intrinsic barriers stemming from cultural, regulatory,market, and technological aspects [4]. Manufacturers in linear industries find it incompre-hensible as to how and why to change their current processes and practices in terms ofcost-benefit analysis [5].

In 2015, the “Sustainable Development Goal” (SDG) emerged to provide the blueprintto address the world’s critical environmental, political, and economic challenges collectivelyfor a sustainable future. The confidence behind the optimism was due to a global attention,effort, approach, and motive to address the inconvenience. However, the literature pointedout three constraints in the overarching program of SDGs, which have hindered the desiredprogress around SDGs till now. These challenges were (a) stability, i.e., not being able to putthe correct stakeholders at the correct time in the correct place, (b) implementation, i.e., notbeing able to ensure programmes that fit the local context and make difficult trade-offs, andlastly, (c) governance, i.e., not been able to build accountability for actions [6,7]. In a similarperiod, CE emerged as a toolbox for achieving sizeable SDGs in several geographic regions,especially in countries like the United Kingdom and China [8]. Conversely, economists,environmentalists, and other experts flagged ambiguity around the term Sustainability andCE. Among all discourses, netizens’ traction toward the topics “Sustainability” (Figure A1)and “Circular Economy” (Figure A2) gradually increased from 2015 to 2019. The Googletrend search results reveal this fact, and this result also signifies that with the inceptionof the SDGs programme from the United Nations General Assembly, public curiosityaround the terms Sustainability and CE grew immensely. However, the growth rate ofcuriosity towards the topics were not uniform. The traction rate towards CE was morerapid compared to the relatively old concept of Sustainability.

CE’s concept received much attention from diverse stakeholders across the globe,including scholars, companies, governments, and citizens [9]. Facts reveal that the tractionwas due to the concept’s ability to attain 21 targets associated with SDGs directly and toinfluence the following SDGs’ progress [8]:

� SDG 6: the Goal on Clean Water and Sanitation,� SDG 7: the Goal on Affordable and Clean Energy,� SDG 8: the Goal on Decent Work and Economic Growth,� SDG 12: the Goal on Responsible Consumption and Production, and� SDG 15: the Goal on Life on Land

This traction astounded the academic propagators yet motivated them for more sig-nificant action with practitioners for the applied execution of the concept [10]. However,sufficient exploration of CE’s associates and their relations remains unexplored to date,which is essential to achieving the above goal [11].

To illustrate the whole scenario, Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle structure with the CEframework explained that “what” stands for the results, “how” for the process, and “why”for the purpose, cause, or belief. Current exploration of CE is around “how”, i.e., changingthe way we do things by following the three principles of CE, viz., design out waste andpollution; keep products and materials in use; regenerate natural systems [12]. The “what”


part describes that CE’s propagators aimed for a thriving economy benefiting everyonewithin the planet’s limits. However, sustaining the “why” necessities further explorationand explanation as it communicates the intention, behaviour, and define-specific valueproposition. An in-depth investigation and explicit working of the “why” part in a CEcontext is needed at this time.

This research work aims to bridge that gap and therefore aims to perform a systematicliterature review to detect, extract, and explore the ‘associates’ emerging from analysis ofidentified critical keywords stated in one decade of literature and definitions of CE. Theauthors have conceptually defined the term ‘associates’ as relative connectedness havingshared function by occurring together with the potential to individuate or establish theconcept of CE. They interact and integrate in the system to translate the core principles ofCE effectively in practice beyond a merely theoretical approach. Ideologically, they connectwith CE core principles, amplifying it, providing the direction to adopt appropriate practicesand further create a sustainable CE system through dynamic mutual interaction. The term“associate” has been chosen judiciously because it represents practical implications withinteractions of the Circular Economy. Further, it can be expressed in an objective mannerbeyond pure subjective exemplification with an element of quantification. “Associates”are different from keywords, as the latter highlight the significance only while the formerobserve multi-directional linkage with significant properties. Hence, an associate plays akey role in the diffusion and adoption of the CE concept here. The study is novel as forthe first time it introduces and reports the conceptualization of ‘associates’ in the contextof CE by deploying in-depth analysis using a unique approach of combination methods.Further, a framework of CE system architecture is proposed to demonstrate the robustnessand interaction of the emerged associates.

The present study attempts to contribute to the literature by bridging the knowledgegap on CE associates and their interactions within a system. Exploration of CE associateswas considered through a literature review, examining definitions that emerged and furthermapping and affirming them from identified journal articles/definitions. In the secondphase, various CE associates were reviewed, analysed, and ranked based on the calculatedsignificance score, applying a robust statistical methodology. The grey areas of the topicwere extrapolated at the end of the study with illustration of a comprehensive frameworkof CE associates. By mapping the current status of CE, including identification of CEassociates, and calculating their significance scores, the paper makes a crucial contributionto the subject.

Moreover, the adopted Systematic Quantitative Literature Review (SQLR) method sep-arates this study from similar review works due to its comprehensive as well as integratedmethodological approach, and novelty in bridging knowledge gap. It undertakes criticalanalysis and a review to direct actual diffusion and absorption of the CE concept. A numberof reviews of CE literature have appeared as of now, but to our knowledge, identificationof associates, and exploring their significance to generate the research gap, applying theSQLR method, were not incorporated. Previous studies applied mostly descriptive, andqualitative method in a systematic manner to narrate the developments of CE [13,14]. Thefindings are comprehended later in the article in Summary Table of Literature Review.This highlights that 71.05% of (i.e., 54) article samples considered in the study adopted aqualitative method to describe and conceptualize the fundamentals of CE.

A comprehensive exploration of the subject can only help establish growth, loyalty,inspiration and decision-making with flexibility and innovation [15]. At present, themissing belief in the concept seems to hinder the desired progress of the subject, i.e.,an ambiguous fraction of the propagated idea. Hence, exploration should also addressissues on spheres such as overconsumption and the social dimension [16]. Recent researchon CE literature focuses on the conceptualization, development of knowledge, strategies,measuring indicators, enabler-barriers, themes, limitations, models, and cases characterizedby fragmented studies [17,18]. A comprehensive understanding and interpretation ofthe operation of underlying CE core principles is lacking, besides an understanding of


interactions or operations within the CE ecosystem. Thus, this study attempts to explorethe CE literature from a different perspective, as to how the concept evolves, becomesoperational, and achieves a system level of dynamics. Accordingly, the main researchquestion is: What are the associates of CE and how do they interact to build a sustainableCE system?

The following structure is adopted for the paper: Section 2 describes the processand methodology for article selection, data extraction and assessment; Section 3 outlinesthe SQLR-based analysis; Section 4 highlights the results and outcome of the analysesperformed; Section 5 provides discussion and insights; and Section 6 concludes with majorresearch takeaways.

2. Material and Research Methodology

Studies on understanding definitions of CE [13], exploration of CE history [10], analysisof core evaluation of CE with novel definitions [19], identification and understanding oflimitations and challenges the CE [20], identification of the frameworks for literaturecategorization [21], identification of the C(Circular)-indicators [22], and a few more studiesalong similar lines exist but with different lenses. This includes a human need approach [23],a waste and resource management approach [24], a quantification approach [18], etc.; butno author has explored associates of CE with their significance score and neither haveprevious authors used the SQLR method for their review studies. Moreover, researchershave welcomed more scientific studies to strengthen CE’s theoretical framework andremove ambiguities [21,25,26].

Therefore, to explicitly comprehend the different dimensions of CE, the followingresearch questions (RQ) were designed.

� RQ 1: Which keywords are manifested from one-decade literature on CE and over ahundred definitions of CE?

� RQ 2: Which keywords are ontologically allied with CE and meet the definition ofan associate?

� RQ 3: Which associates are significant as per one decade of CE literature?� RQ 4: What can be the holistic CE framework with emerged associates demonstrating

individuation of the concept of CE?

The study aimed to address the aforementioned issues around CE literature.The main objectives of this study are as follows:

a. To explore and map common keywords from literature and CE definitions.b. To explore the ontological connection of emerged keywords with CE and generate a

list of associates.c. To examine associates with respect to CE and rank them to understand their cur-

rent state.d. To develop a holistic framework with associates of CE and demonstrate the ontological

connections.

An SQLR was planned and preferred over narrative or Systematic Literature Review(SLR) because this technique enables new researchers to smoothly analyse the currentacademic literature systematically and generate a structured quantitative overview of thefield [27]. During the review, the prime focus of the study was on the identification ofCE associates.

To conduct the exploratory research study, the SQLR process was adopted with ahybrid analytical method followed by the inductive method to recognize CE associates’patterns and trends [28] and considering secondary data sources at every stage. Besides,a mixed approach was utilized inclusive of both quantitative and qualitative methods tomaximize the information gain and furnish a holistic view [29].

A paper screening exercise based on the Preferred Reporting Items for SystematicReviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was performed following flow diagram steps(Figure 1) [30,31]. The authors gave preference to the replicable, reliable, robust, and


impartial technique in the study [29]. The flow diagram in Figure 1 demonstrates thescreening process of articles. Since the study is exploratory, therefore, deployment ofpurposive sampling of publications was followed to shepherd the study. The authorsconsidered a mixed approach to analyse the literature’s content and generate facts from it.A few statistical tools, such as Bibliometric Analysis, Semantic Analysis (semantic signifiesrelating to meaning in language or logic), and a few other analytical tools were appliedat different stages of the study to analyse the content and facts that emerged from theliterature, such as keywords, definitions, and conclusions. The next section of the articledescribes each step and application of statistical tools in detail.

The search results from research papers, articles on the “Circular Economy”, led toextraction of 6309 and 3201 papers from the most preferred academic search engines, i.e.,Scopus and Web of Science (WoS), respectively, as of 25 May 2020, using a comprehensivescreening process.

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d. To develop a holistic framework with associates of CE and demonstrate the ontolog-

ical connections.

An SQLR was planned and preferred over narrative or Systematic Literature Review

(SLR) because this technique enables new researchers to smoothly analyse the current ac-

ademic literature systematically and generate a structured quantitative overview of the

field [27]. During the review, the prime focus of the study was on the identification of CE

associates.

To conduct the exploratory research study, the SQLR process was adopted with a

hybrid analytical method followed by the inductive method to recognize CE associates’

patterns and trends [28] and considering secondary data sources at every stage. Besides,

a mixed approach was utilized inclusive of both quantitative and qualitative methods to

maximize the information gain and furnish a holistic view [29].

A paper screening exercise based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic

Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was performed following flow diagram steps (Fig-

ure 1) [30,31]. The authors gave preference to the replicable, reliable, robust, and impartial

technique in the study [29]. The flow diagram in Figure 1 demonstrates the screening pro-

cess of articles. Since the study is exploratory, therefore, deployment of purposive sam-

pling of publications was followed to shepherd the study. The authors considered a mixed

approach to analyse the literature’s content and generate facts from it. A few statistical

tools, such as Bibliometric Analysis, Semantic Analysis (semantic signifies relating to

meaning in language or logic), and a few other analytical tools were applied at different

stages of the study to analyse the content and facts that emerged from the literature, such

as keywords, definitions, and conclusions. The next section of the article describes each

step and application of statistical tools in detail.

The search results from research papers, articles on the “Circular Economy”, led to

extraction of 6309 and 3201 papers from the most preferred academic search engines, i.e.,

Scopus and Web of Science (WoS), respectively, as of 25 May 2020, using a comprehensive

screening process.

Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram illustrating review paper screening process.

Figure 1. PRISMA flow diagram illustrating review paper screening process.

2.1. Article Screening Process for Literature Review

The study considered the following criteria:

(a) English journal articles published between 2010 and 2019, a decade, because a decentamount of published research in the field emerged from 2010.

(b) The journal article’s concept and subject area, as demonstrated in the flowchart. Thefinal step of screening was based on its title, abstract, keywords, and citation score.

(c) Further, it includes the availability of complete articles in the website’s database [32]and the citation index score [33].

A snowballing technique was deployed as per the requirement from the articles’references or bibliography of most cited research papers.

This study set Bibliometric indicators [34] for selecting research papers. These indica-tors were a minimum of five and a maximum of the thirteen most cited articles per year,depending on the availability of relevant published items on the topic in that year. Theother criteria considered for selection were [35]:

i. the conceptual nature of the paper,ii. high citation score,iii. at least published in quartiles 1 or 2 journals,iv. non-repetitive or no duplicate contents, andv. in the English language


Figure A3 highlights a complete graphical view of the exact number of publicationsconsidered each year versus the precise number of published articles available in a givenyear on CE and total citation values as of 25 May 2020, according to Scopus online researchdatabase statistics. Citation score for every considered article was available in Scopus, butit was not the same for WoS. Fifty-five articles were common between the two databases.Therefore, each year’s average citation value was calculated based on the citation score of25 May 2020 from the Scopus database. The reason for considering the Scopus database foraverage calculation is that all regarded articles of WoS were available in the Scopus databaseas well. We compared the overall citation score for each year’s considered papers in thestudy to the average Scopus citation score for the same articles. We believed that citationscore usage could be vital to ensure screened documents’ quality and verify the most activeyears in citations (Figure A3), though it is not the sole criterion as it may not always reflectquality. Here, the assumption lies in the fact that, as per Bibliometric Analysis (a statisticalmethod to analyse published journal articles, book chapters, etc., on numerous dimensions),a scientific publication has been the indicator of research output [36], and citations receivedby them are considered as the proxy of their scientific impact [37]. Figure A3 illustrates that2017 was the most productive year, followed by 2016 in citation score. Simultaneously, it isobserved that since 2015, citation scores for articles have improved; the reason seems to bemore traction towards the subject since then onwards, as illustrated in Figures A1 and A2.The Bibliometric review supported the robust mechanism for identifying quality articlesthat described the subject’s conceptual nature and proceeded with this study [2].

Journal-wise, article count was conducted during the study to highlight the mostrelevant journals in CE within the considered timeframe. On analysing the publications of76 articles, statistics showed that the Journal of Cleaner Production (JoCP) is at the forefrontof publishing articles on CE, and the Journal of Industrial Ecology (JoIE), and Resources,Conservation & Recycling (ReCR) remained at the second and third spot, respectively. Allconsidered journals for the study have been abbreviated at the appendix of the article forreference (Table A2).

2.2. Applications Rationale and Methods

After screening and analysing relevant journal articles on CE, we apprehended CE’spresent-day epistemology from multiple literature works by capturing the narrative de-scription of facts. Next, a quantitative analysis of associates extracted from the contentswas conducted while the relation between Sustainability and CE was arrested with therevelation of other CE associates. These revelations include the significance of CE associatesemerging from keywords and content analysis. It includes confirmatory test results usingthe statistical tool, Text Analysis, Semantic Analysis, Weighted Average Priority Ranking(WAPR), Association Mapping, and Cluster Analysis, on compiled definitions of CE. Theseanalysis results also present the subject’s current state of the art and the research gaps.

Earlier in 1980, author Robert Frederick Lorch from the University of MassachusettsAmherst, in a study entitled, “Priming Processes in Semantic Memory”, mentioned thatthe associate of a concept plays a crucial role in disseminating the value of a concept withits strength. Therefore, exploring the associates with their significance score is essentialfor developing the concept of CE. The study here bridges that gap and is conductedusing secondary data. In the context of CE, a Text Analysis, Semantic Analysis exercisewas conducted, followed by clubbing synonymous words during the study to highlightCE’s main associates. In addition, Bibliometric Analysis, Network Analysis, and ContentAnalysis were also observed to investigate the CE model’s trends and gaps. Findingsshowed a lack of consensus on CE terminologies and definitions [19]. Therefore, researcherssought more advanced methods/tools to explore the subject [25,26].

Next, weighted average and generated priority rank are calculated for CE’s associatesbased on occurrence and frequency map score against the contents of 76 articles. Theextracted 122 definitions of CE were analysed following the same steps and tools adoptedearlier for 76 article contents. Further, the adoption of Content and Semantic Analysis for


CE definitions helped generate CE’s multifaceted associates’ stance. Moreover, to validatethe findings of WAPR, association mapping using WEKA and later Cluster Analysis usingSPSS were followed. Lastly, a list of the most significant and least significant CE’s associateswas generated for future exploration and research around them. Figure 2 and Table 1provide a comprehensive structure and summary, respectively, to demonstrate the entirestudy methodology. For WAPR calculation, the formula used is:

Xnormalized =X − Xminimum

Xmaximum − Xminimum

� Text Analysis, Semantic Analysis and Relation Mapping (TROPES V8.4): Tropes V8.4 pro-cesses texts to extract relevant information for stylistic, syntactic (syntactic analysismay depend on the types of words, but not their meaning), and semantic equivalentsanalysis, covering several themes in various graphs, reports, or specific data struc-tures [38]. The application indexes the articles, using a preloaded dictionary, in thecitations network, either as citation sources or cited articles. It captures features andprecise traits of the scientific discourse. The selection is based on the initial results fromtext conversion and citations identification [39].

� Bibliometric Analysis (VOSviewer): Bibliometric analysis is often represented as a networkvisualization, which ranges from entirely graphical user interface-based software suchas VOSviewer. It explores the bibliometric networks structured from data miningand keyword selection [40]. Maps are created from keywords co-occurrence and theirfrequency, finally assigned to clusters, producing set of items and links.

� Content Analysis and WAPR (MS Excel): It is an interpretive technique which is bothobservational and narrative in nature. It is used to determine, quantify and analysethe presence, meanings, and relationships of keywords or themes in the text. The textis coded into categories to summarise data by generating binary values to create anoccurrences or frequency map.

The WAPR process helps in analysing and generating rank for complex strategicinitiatives with objective prioritization. The occurrence plus frequency value of eachassociate is calculated and the average value is computed by setting equal weight forpredefined associates for rank generation.

� Association Rules Data Mining (WEKA): The Apriori algorithm is an algorithm in machinelearning that discovers plausible associations and creates association rules. It findsout the minimum support and confidence threshold while computing these rules.Apriori works with binary attributes or nominal data. The tool Waikato Environmentfor Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) allows one to perform frequent pattern mining byimplementing Apriori for finding features which occur together or are correlated.

� K-Means Clustering (SPSS): The unsupervised learning algorithm is used to cluster theunlabelled dataset based on a centroid by minimizing the sum of distances betweendata points and their corresponding clusters having similar properties following aniterative process.

The above deployed tools and techniques helped in systematic analysis of the article’scontents. Text, semantic and relation mapping are used sequentially for identificationof prominent keywords from the literature and definitions are based on co-occurrence.This was followed by bibliometric analysis, which provided a visualization network todecipher associations and finally led to the emergence of CE associates. Content analysis,association rule mining, and clustering further validated and established reliability withgeneralizability of the findings in a robust scientific manner. Moreover, a summary ofapplied statistical tools with application rationale are provided in Table 1.


Table 1. Summary of applied statistical tools with the applications rationale and outcome.

Statistical Tools Software Rationale Outcome

Bibliometric analysis VoSviewerA popular research method that enablesscholars to examine the past and future

growth of scientific work [41,42] Extensive qualitative analysis of CE articlesemerged, quantitative metrics extractingcritical keywords in CE literature. It also

helped to derive the interactions of criticalkeywords with CE sequentially.

Text Analysis TROPES V8.4 Assists in drawing statistical inferencesfrom texts and transcripts [43,44]

Relation Mapping TROPES V8.4

Relation graph/exercise gives thenumber of relations (co-occurrence

frequency) existing between variousequivalent classes

Content AnalysisVOSviewer

andMicrosoft Excel Coding

Makes inferences by objectively andsystematically identifying specifiedcharacteristics of messages [45,46]

CE’s multifaceted associates’ stance topromote CE as a facilitator was observed.Generated a frequency map to explore theprominence and significance of extracted

CE associates.Sematic Analysis TROPES V8.4 Ontological conceptual understanding isrevealed from Semantic analysis [47]

Weighted AveragePriority Ranking Microsoft Excel Provides an order of preference and

indicates relative magnitude [48] Findings showed a lack of consensus on CEterminologies and definitions, so advanced

methods are used. Generated a priority rankfor CE’s associates and identified the most andleast significant CE’s associates for the future

research agenda. Validation of findings ofWAPR, Association mapping and Cluster

analysis was followed, to describe thecharacter of CE and its associates.

Association RulesData Mining WEKA

Identify associations in whichtransactions are distributed across

multiple sources [49]

K-Means Clustering SPSS

Non-hierarchical clustering and iterativepartitioning method that divides

observations into a predeterminednumber of clusters. [50]



findings of WAPR, Associa-

tion mapping and Cluster

analysis was followed, to de-

scribe the character of CE and

its associates.

Figure 2. Research methodology flow diagram for CE associates.

An exhaustive and comprehensive process was followed for SQLR study on CE. On

analytical examination, 215 keywords emerged through text analysis of “Title, Abstract,

Keywords, and Conclusion”, followed by 110 bonds using TROPES V8.4. and VoSviewer

software tools. Later, by the relation mapping exercise, 82 prominent relations among CE

keywords were obtained. Based on CE’s commonality and relation with multiple key-

words, the 49 most prominent associates were identified from described relationships and

frameworks of CE in literary narratives. The flow chart describes the complete methodol-

ogy in a nutshell and a frame (Figure 2). Advanced methods were introduced to explore

the relations between associates and to describe their character with CE.

3. Systematic Qualitative Literature Review: Content and Semantic Analysis

3.1. Circular Economy: Epistemology and Origin

The global population has attempted to combat the adverse effects of human activi-

ties such as pollution, waste generation, natural resource extraction, and climate change

through a balance between social, economic, environmental, and technological orchestra-

tion [51]. CE emerged as a promising alternative with an expectation to counter global

adverse effects [52] such as climate change, rate of biodiversity loss, changes to the global

nitrogen cycle [53], with other associated effects such as unemployment, poverty, and dis-

Figure 2. Research methodology flow diagram for CE associates.

An exhaustive and comprehensive process was followed for SQLR study on CE. Onanalytical examination, 215 keywords emerged through text analysis of “Title, Abstract,Keywords, and Conclusion”, followed by 110 bonds using TROPES V8.4. and VoSviewersoftware tools. Later, by the relation mapping exercise, 82 prominent relations among CE


keywords were obtained. Based on CE’s commonality and relation with multiple keywords,the 49 most prominent associates were identified from described relationships and frame-works of CE in literary narratives. The flow chart describes the complete methodologyin a nutshell and a frame (Figure 2). Advanced methods were introduced to explore therelations between associates and to describe their character with CE.

3. Systematic Qualitative Literature Review: Content and Semantic Analysis3.1. Circular Economy: Epistemology and Origin

The global population has attempted to combat the adverse effects of human activitiessuch as pollution, waste generation, natural resource extraction, and climate change througha balance between social, economic, environmental, and technological orchestration [51].CE emerged as a promising alternative with an expectation to counter global adverseeffects [52] such as climate change, rate of biodiversity loss, changes to the global nitrogencycle [53], with other associated effects such as unemployment, poverty, and diseases [54].Many researchers, practitioners, and policymakers perceived the adverse impact as athreat to the Linear Economic model’s stability and natural ecosystems’ veracity, andthe survival of humanity [55]. A transition towards CE has been perceived by many asthe reference point to harmonize economic growth, environmental issues, and resourcescarcity in society [52]. CE’s epistemology exploration and the manifestation of criticalliterature built a foundation to map different CE associates according to their significance,subsequently comparing and ranking.

CE’s origin and linkage with Sustainability were either narratives or simple SLR;however, ambiguity remained around the origin and CE dimensions [2,10]. Clear evidenceof a single source or originator of the CE concept is hard to propose [10]. Literatureidentified CE’s origin in William Harvey’s work of 1628 on systematic circulation, followedby Marcello Malpighi’s work of 1661 on the bloodstream. François Quesnay’s work of 1758in his book “Tableau Economique” and later, a speech of the first President of the RoyalChemical Society, Hofman, in 1848, were also attributed by researchers as CE’s origin [56].

Conversely, many authors [34,55,57–60] have attributed environmentalist economistsPearce and Turner as introducing the term “CE” from an environmental perspective in1990 through the publication, “Economics of natural resources and the environment.”Pearce and Turner built the theoretical framework with a focus on the published document“The Economics of the Coming Spaceship Earth” by Kenneth E. Boulding in 1966 [10,61].However, Boulding criticized the “cowboy economy” (open system) over the “spacemaneconomy” (closed system) [56,62] and acknowledged the environment for four basic welfareeconomic functions, i.e., amenity values, a resource base for the economy, a sink for residualflows, and a life support system [57].

Further, the notion of CE also has its roots in General Systems Theory [60], a materialbalance principle, with a focus on Environmental Economics [63], the loop economy,Industrial Economics [64] and Industrial Ecology [65,66].

It is inferred that several contributors-cum-propagators for the inception of CE be-longed to multiple “schools of thought” [19,55,56,67]. We found CE as a loosely boundedscientific and non-scientific notion [21]. Different schools of thought varied in their im-plementation strategies, focusing on intended outcomes [60]. The prominent schools ofthought contributing to the inception and propagation of CE include Laws of Ecology [68],Regenerative Design [69], Biomimicry [70], Cradle-to-Cradle [71], Industrial Ecology [72],Looped and Performance Economy [73], and The Blue Economy [74]. The Ellen MacArthurFoundation (EMAF), in its publication in 2013, also acknowledged the presence of multipleschools of thought in CE [24]. Besides, the literature also recognized CE as an umbrellaconcept with multiple disciplines that illustrate its roots [52,59].

This study attempts to analyse CE’s associates’ significance and current trend. CE’sgrowth was reviewed in two halves, i.e., pre- and post-inception of the SDG-focused pro-gramme globally. The study also clarifies CE’s interaction with numerous associates topromote CE as a facilitator for improving the economy, environment, and society simultane-


ously [75]. We identified CE’s associates, mapped them from screened articles using code,and compared the global scenario around the SDGs. Further, we generated a frequencymap based on semantic analysis to explore the strength and significance of associates. Thepresent study attempts the identification, consolidation, and significance of associates of CEwhich may be attributed to diverse backgrounds and origins. Research on consolidationand analysis of those associates of CE are missing. Therefore, further exploration aroundmultiple associates, testing the strength and significance of those associates, along withpillars of Sustainability, are necessary to eliminate indistinctness.

3.2. Circular Economy: Definitions, Principles, Strategies

The study revealed that a commonly accepted definition of CE does not exist todate [21,76]. Kirchherr [13] consolidated the maximum number of CE definitions and hasdefined CE “as an economic system that replaces the ‘end-of-life’ concept with reducing,alternatively reusing, recycling and recovering materials in production/distribution andconsumption processes.” However, EMAF proposed the most accepted definition, link-ing focal points of different schools of thought [67]; in 2013, EMAF defined CE as “anindustrial economy that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design” [2]. Con-versely, the study highlighted that authors formerly aimed at compilation of CE definitionsconsolidation: 114 by Kirchherr, 11 by Korhonen, and 25 by Homrich [13,19,21].

Content analysis of these definitions derived from secondary sources, i.e., journalarticles, extracts numerous dimensions associated with CE lacking earlier. Rather thanattempting one more definition, the authors have analysed consolidated definitions tothrow light on different dimensions associated with CE.

Observations from numerous literature items explained that authors favoured assortedand broader definitions over inflexible ones in the last five years. However, the literaturesuggested that both kinds of CE definitions are valued. Researchers described the first kindof definitions and implementation as sensu strict, having a narrow focus [77], followedby the second kind as sensu latu, having a broader focus [56]. Contrarily, EMAF, in 2015,attempted to tighten the loose theories and suggested three core principles of CE, i.e., Wasteelimination, Product continuation, and Resource conservation [34].

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, i.e., the three R strategy, were claimed as matching theEMAF’s principle on CE [78]. R-imperative literature demonstrated its origin in the disci-plines [79]. These include a range of “Re” strategies ranging from 3R to 10R and describingthe essence of CE. Different author groups have assigned different R -imperatives to concep-tualize the way forward to attend to circularity in the environment, economy, and society.Therefore, R-imperatives have a robust utility and presence in the principles of CE. InTable 2, different R-imperatives are discussed:

Table 2. R strategies framework description.

R Framework Strategies Studies

3R Reduce, Reuse, Recycle [80,81]4R 3R + Recover [82–84]5R 3R + Refurbish + Repair [85]6R 5R + Remanufacture [86,87]7R 6R + Refuse [88]8R 7R + Repurpose [89]9R 8R + Rethink [90]10R 9R + Recover [13,91,92]

The three common R-strategies among all R-imperatives were Reduce, Reuse, andRecycle. Based on R-strategies, the size of the Loop is defined. For example, R0–R3 definesthe Shortest Loop; R4–R6 defines the Medium Loop; and R7–R9 defines the Long Loop [79].

The present study recognized three existing noticeable implementation frameworks.Firstly, a business-oriented framework of EMAF [3] for systematic CE implementation [56].


Secondly, a relatively balanced framework by Lieder and Rashid [93], which attempted anorchestration between the three pillars of Sustainability; and lastly, the most straightforward,by author Bocken [77], who valued Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) over othersin the model. However, on the comparison, these models have been criticized consideringinherent weakness. EMAF’s model disregarded the environmental aspects over economiccharacteristics. Similarly, Bocken’s model integrated product design and business modelsbut ignored the legislative landscape. Lastly, Lieder and Rashid’s model, which was themost comprehensive out of the three due to inclusion of institutions and individuals for CEimplementation, neglected the financial viability of initiatives [78].

Further, the literature also revealed that the way a firm conducts a business definescircularity or linearity in a model. The transition to a CE model is an example of a radicalchange, which requires a new way of thinking and doing business [77]. From the literature,26 Circular Business Models (CBM) under six classified criteria became known. Thesecriteria were six business actions implementing the principles of CE [94]. The first businessaction, Regenerates (Re), signifies shifting to renewable, followed by the second, Share (S),that signifies reusing products as long as possible, and the third, optimize (O), signifies theperformance of a product. Similarly, the fourth action, Virtualize (V), signifies the deliveryof a particular utility virtually, and the last business action, Exchange (E), signifies replacingold materials with advanced ones. These business actions are considered the parts of theReSOLVE framework [12]. Discussions around R-strategies and business actions reflectedin the literature were observed to be leveraging on application of digital technologies suchas Industry 4.0 in business model innovation to enable CE [95,96].

In addition, while exploring the CBM’s effectiveness over other models and reasonsfor the vacillating concept of CBM, EMAF analysis in 2014 highlighted the customer’sirrationality, conflict of interest within companies, uneven profit-share along the SupplyChain (SC), and geographical outreach as underlying explanations [97].

Recently, in the Circular Supply Chain (CSC), the concept of CE has been integratedinto the supply chain operation of an organization. This integration in a system providesnew scope for ameliorating Sustainability in operations. However, such implementation isscarce due to the complexity and risk of the process [98,99]. The authors emphasize the link-age between the Circular Business Model (CBM) and Circular Supply Chain Management(CSCM). The supply chain’s design and coordination to close, narrow, slow, intensify, anddematerialize resource loops are classified as CSCM attributes [100]. Later, consolidatedCircular Design Strategies—Design for circular supply, resource conservation, long-life useproducts, multiple cycles, and system change—received tremendous traction. [101].

Previous research studies emphasized CE’s association with multifaceted issues influ-encing multiple stakeholders’ performance. Actors, such as seminal thinkers, think tanks,advisory and legislative institutions, academics, and businesses, were found to interpretwaste and resource management frameworks in their way [59]. These interpretations attimes have glued and occasionally have unglued the theoretical ideas [102].

To measure circularity, authors debated and questioned the methods, validity, andefficiency of company-level metrics. They also argued on the effectiveness of those mea-surement tools for product manufacturing and transition in a system.

Authors have also analysed the potential use of circularity metrics as key performanceindicators for product or regulatory label transition-related issues [103]. However, thecomposite indicator, Sustainable Circular Index (SCI) [104], Circular Economy Index (CEI),Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) [105], and Global ResourceIndicator (GRI) [106], are in use to evaluate CE with qualitative and quantitative pieces ofinformation. Besides, lifecycle thinking and a wide variety of life cycle assessment (LCA)approaches were noticed as determining the environmental impacts of a product, service,organization, policy, or procedure [102]. The literature on circularity measurement alsothrew light on the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) and criticized the method because ofits ambitious attempt [3]. Authors were found to mention (i) material flow analysis; (ii) lifecycle assessment; and (iii) evaluation and monitoring indicators as the three significant


categories of loop assessment methodology [22]. In the same section on the measurementof circularity, the authors also discussed the measurement units. Those were mass, energy,and time, depending on the fundamental aspect of any circularity metric. Conversely, theproblematic issue here is the method of selecting a unit, which has been questioned timeand again [103].

Literature further revealed that CE followed different patterns globally. In China, CEhas emerged as a direct outcome of national political strategy. Therefore, the CE implemen-tation strategy in China remained top-down and structured. In contrast, within Europe,Japan, and the USA, CE’s transition occurred organically as bottom-up environmental andwaste management policies with assistance from civil societies and NGOs [55].

Based on a comprehensive review of CE, the narratives mentioned above on CE’sepistemology emerged. This section helped build a base for content analysis and a scenariofor semantic analysis using the fundamentals of CE in the study. The study’s differentstatistical analysis results are shown below in the next section of the research study, i.e.,results and discussion for a detailed examination and argument. These statistical analysisresults may be considered as a confirmatory test to establish facts based on emergingtrends on the CE associates and interactions within them. This section addresses issue ofinsufficient confirmatory researches in CE literature [19].

4. Statistical Analysis and Results

The screening process in the study selected 76 English journal articles for review,constituting 60.53% review study articles, 38.16% case studies, and 1.31% mixed studies(Table 3). The study also found that out of 76 articles, 46% have either come up with anew definition of CE or analysed CE definitions. The correlation between authors revealed14 instances among the 76 reviewed papers. Further, the author-wise count of screenedjournal papers validated the credibility of articles included in the study. While analysingscreened articles, we observed that the top ten primary focused CE associates are “Business”,followed by “Economic, Environment, Sustainability, Supply Chain, Design, Innovation,Measurement, Policy, and Implementation”. Each paper comprised primary associatesfollowed by secondary and tertiary associates. The role of these associates is pivotal inimplementing CE on account of their frequency and appearance in literature.

4.1. Text Analysis, Bibliometric Analysis, Relation Mapping from Syntactic Analysis of Keywordsand Associate Mapping

While conducting the analytical exercise, we identified the most prominent CE as-sociates using a statistical tool, TROPES V8.4, which is a text analysis software assistingin text mining, qualitative analysis, semantic categorization, and keyword extraction. Atotal of 215 words emerged from the tool application, describing CE’s association withmultiple subjects. To pinpoint CE’s associates, a bibliometric analysis was conducted usingthe VoSviewer statistical tool. During this exercise, we analysed the articles’ titles, key-words, and abstracts. The results showed 110 associations or bonds (Figure 3). Keywordco-occurrence network visualization represents nodes and links wherein node size, link sig-nals among nodes, and each colour determine distinct CE associates with their associationswhile explaining network effect with their manifestation.

Next was extraction of the most significant associations from the contents of screenedarticles, and 82 prominent bonds were identified based on the frequency of appearancesusing TROPES. A frequency map emerged out of that for associates of CE for analysinglexical items. This exercise further strengthened the selection of associates from several key-words. The top three promising emerging associations of CE are “Strategy, Implementation,and Policy”. Similarly, the least preferred CE interactions were amongst “Environment”and “Economics”, demonstrated in the relation mapping (Figure 4). Above illustrated stepsaddressed, RQ1. Further, the section also illustrated the ontology of keywords, and laterextrapolated associates.


Table 3. Table describing characteristics of 76 reviewed articles.

Sl Title Authors WoS SoP Year Journal Type Method Contribution DOI MajorAssociates Country Category

1A circular economymodel of economic

growth

George, Donald A. R.;Lin, Brian Chi-ang;

Chen, Yunmin41 54 2015

EnvironmentalModelling &

Software

Conceptual,Fundamental

andDescriptive

Qualitative

Identified CE modelwith two types of

economic resource, i.e.,polluting input and

recyclable input.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.06.014

Recycle andEconomy China Review

2A conceptual

framework forcircular design

Moreno M., De los RiosC., Rowe Z., Charnley F. 98 2016 Sustainability

(Switzerland)


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Conceptual frameworkfor circular

economy design strategyincorporation.

doi:10.3390/su8090937 Design andInnovation

UnitedKingdom Review

3

A Review andTypology of CircularEconomy Business

Model Patterns

Lüdeke-Freund F., GoldS., Bocken N.M.P. 41 53 2019

Journal ofIndustrialEcology


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Proposed six major CEBusiness Model patternswith potential to supportclosing of resource flows.

10.1111/jiec.12763 Business andResource Germany Review

4

A review of thecircular economy inChina: Moving from

rhetoric toimplementation

Su, Biwei; Heshmati,Almas; Geng, Yong; Yu,

Xiaoman280 333 2013

Journal ofCleaner

Production

Analytical,Empirical, and

Applied

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Current development ofCE and policy

recommendations.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.11.020

Implementationand Policy China Review

5

A review on circulareconomy: The

expected transition toa balanced interplay

of environmental andeconomic systems

Ghisellini P., Cialani C.,Ulgiati S. 692 856 2016

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Demonstrated CE’sreliability as a solutionto environmental issues

emerging of currentbusinesses.


Environmentand Business China Review

6

A systematic reviewon drivers, barriers,

and practices towardscircular economy: a

supply chainperspective

Govindan K.,Hasanagic M. 57 83 2018

InternationalJournal of

ProductionResearch


andDescriptive

QualitativeConsolidated and

described the factorsinfluencing CE adoption

in organizations.

doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1402141

Driver, andBarrier Denmark Review

7A taxonomy of

circular economyindicators

Saidani M., Yannou B.,Leroy Y., Cluzel F.,

Kendall A.47 2019

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Illustrated multipledimensions of

C-indicators andcomprehended their

application in Industry.

10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.10.014

Measurementand Implemen-

tationFrance Review

8Circular economy as

an essentiallycontested concept

Korhonen J., Nuur C.,Feldmann A., Birkie S.E. 90 117 2018

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Illustratedmethodological models

on conductingresearches on CE.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.111

Policy andProduct Swede Review

9

Circular economy inChina-The

environmentaldimension of the

harmonious society

Naustdalslid J. 40 52 2014


SustainableDevelopment &World Ecology


andDescriptive

QualitativeComprehended Chinese

version of CE, and itsimplementation.

10.1080/13504509.2014.914599

Implementationand Society China Review


Table 3. Cont.


10

An exploration offirms’ awareness and

behavior ofdeveloping circular

economy: Anempirical research in

China

Liu Y., Bai Y. 67 73 2014Resources,

Conservationand Recycling


AppliedQuantitative

Identified contextual,and cultural factors

creating gaps inawareness generationand actual behaviour

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.04.002

Environmentand Behaviour China Case Study

11Business models andsupply chains for the

circular economy

Geissdoerfer M.,Morioka S.N., de

Carvalho M.M., Evans S.70 92 2018

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Developed a frameworkto integrate circular

business models andcircular supply chain

management forSustainable

Development.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.159

Business andSupply Chain India Case Study

12Circular BusinessModel Innovation:

Inherent UncertaintiesLinder M., Williander M. 112 140 2017

BusinessStrategy and the

Environment


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Identified thecharacteristics and

challenges of circularbusiness models (CBMs).

10.1002/bse.1906 Remanufactureand Reuse Sweden Review

13

Business modelinnovation to createand capture resource

value in futurecircular material

chains

Roos G. 44 2014 Resources


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Compiled the process ofbusiness model

development forensuring innovativecircular value chain

10.3390/resources3010248 Business andIndustry Australia Case Study

14

Circular economypractices among

Chinesemanufacturers

varying inenvironmental-

oriented supply chaincooperation and the

performanceimplications

Zhu, Qinghua; Geng,Yong; Lai, Kee-hung 136 165 2010

Journal ofEnvironmentalManagement


AppliedQuantitative

Identified and exhibitedcausal relation betweenenvironmental-oriented

supply chaincooperation practices

and CE

10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.02.013

Environmentand Supply

ChainChina Review

15 Circular EconomyRebound

Zink, Trevor;Geyer, Roland 91 117 2017



andDescriptive

QualitativeCompiled the potentialenvironmental reboundof the circular economy.

10.1111/jiec.12545Reuse,

Refurbish, andRecycle

USA Review

16

Development patternand enhancing system

of automotivecomponents

remanufacturingindustry in China

Zhang, Tongzhu; Chu,Jiangwei; Wang,

Xueping; Liu, Xianghai;Cui, Pengfei

111 126 2011Resources,



andDescriptive

QualitativeBrought to light three

barriers ofremanufacturing sector.

10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.09.015

Remanufactureand

TechnologyChina Case Study


Table 3. Cont.


17

Circulareconomy-From review

of theories andpractices to

development ofimplementation tools

Kalmykova Y.,Sadagopan M.,

Rosado L.120 148 2018

Resources,Conservationand Recycling


andDescriptive

QualitativeGenerated two sets ofdata-driven tools for

implementing CE.doi.org/10.1016/

j.resconrec.2017.10.034Raw Material

andMeasurement

Sweden Review

18Circular Integration ofprocesses, industries,

and economies

Walmsley T.G., OngB.H.Y., Klemeš J.J., Tan

R.R., Varbanov P.S.22 25 2019

Renewable andSustainable

Energy Reviews


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Brought to light aunified framework of

Circular Integration (CI)to stimulate largetransdisciplinary

research.

doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.03.039 Business and

IndustryCzech

Republic Case Study

19

Do circular economybusiness modelscapture intended

environmental valuepropositions?

Manninen K., Koskela S.,Antikainen R., Bocken

N., Dahlbo H.,Aminoff A.

63 77 2018Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Generated a frameworkfor evaluating the

environmental valuepropositions for

CE-driven businessmodels,

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.10.003

Business andEnvironment Finland Case Study

20

Product/Service-Systems for a CircularEconomy: The Route

to DecouplingEconomic Growth

from ResourceConsumption?

Kjaer L.L., PigossoD.C.A., Niero M., BechN.M., McAloone T.C.

34 2019Journal ofIndustrialEcology


andDescriptive

Qualitative

A two-step frameworkto support analyses of

Product/Service-Systemand their potential to

lead to absolute resourcedecoupling.

10.1111/jiec.12747 Product andBusiness Denmark Review

21

Conceptualizing thecircular economy: An

analysis of 114definitions

Kirchherr, Julian; Reike,Denise; Hekkert, Marko 356 452 2017


Fundamental,Empirical,Analytical

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Compiled muchconceptual information

around the CircularEconomy to bring

coherence.


System andBusiness Netherland Review

22

Closed-loopproduction systems-A

sustainable supplychain approach

Winkler H. 88 2011CIRP Journal ofManufacturing

Science andTechnology


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Brought to light theimportance of

integratingenvironmental goals into

the production system,with sustainable supplychain networks (SSCN).

10.1016/j.cirpj.2011.05.001 Economy andEnvironment Austria Review

23

Closing the loop orsquaring the circle?Locating generative

spaces for the circulareconomy

Kersty Hobson 72 2016Progress in

HumanGeography


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Revealed scope andpurpose of conducting

critical analysis onsocio-political and

economic mechanismswith respect to Circular

Economy.

10.1177/0309132514566342 Product andSociety



Table 3. Cont.


24

Constructivismscenario evolutionary

analysis of zeroemission regional

planning: A case ofQaidam Circular

Economy Pilot Area inChina

Liu D., Li H., Wang W.,Dong Y. 27 2012


ProductionEconomics

Analytical,Empirical,

Conceptual,and Applied

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Revealed importantpolicy implications on

China’s regionaldevelopment plan due

to evolutionaryconstructivism.

10.1016/j.ijpe.2011.04.008 Sustainableand Industry China Case Study

25

Towards a nationalcircular economy

indicator system inChina: An evaluationand critical analysis

Geng Y., Fu J., Sarkis J.,Xue B. 235 277 2012

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Brought to light anational level

sustainability indicatorsystem for developing

countries.

10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.07.005Governmentand Policy China Case Study

26

Who is in charge? Areview and a researchagenda on the ‘human

side’ of the circulareconomy

Chiappetta Jabbour C.J.,Sarkis J., Lopes de Sousa

Jabbour A.B., ScottRenwick D.W., SinghS.K., Grebinevych O.,

Kruglianskas I.,Filho M.G.

36 2019Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Supplementedconceptual foundationson CE business models

by integrating greenhuman resource

management theory andpractices.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.03.038

Business andResource France Review

27 Process engineering incircular economy Reh, Lothar 41 48 2013 Particuology


AppliedQuantitative

Compiled progress andchallenges of recycling

industry.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2012.11.001

Energy andRecycle China Case Study

28

Product design andbusiness modelstrategies for a

circular economy

Bocken N.M.P., de PauwI., Bakker C., van der

Grinten B.357 2016

Journal ofIndustrial and

ProductionEngineering


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Generated insights onthe current productdesign and business

model strategies suitedembracing circular

economy.

dx.doi.org/10.1080/21681015.2016.1172124

Product andDesign Netherlands Review

29

Business modelinnovation for circular

economy andsustainability: A

review of approaches

Pieroni, Marina P. P.;McAloone, Tim C.;

Pigosso, Daniela C. A.38 52 2019

Journal ofCleaner

Production


Applied

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Compiled and presenteddifferent approaches oncircular or sustainable

business modelinnovation process.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.036

Innovationand Business Denmark Review

30

Diversifying andde-growing the

circular economy:Radical social

transformation in aresource-scarce world

Hobson K., Lynch N. 69 2016 Futures


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Described the social andpolitical implications of

CE-driventransformations in a

system.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2016.05.012

ReSOLVE andTechnology


31

MethodologicalAspects of Applying

Life Cycle Assessmentto IndustrialSymbioses

Mattila T., Lehtoranta S.,Sokka L., Melanen M.,

Nissinen A.63 72 2012



andDescriptive

Qualitative

Comprehended themethodological issues

encountered whileapplying life cycle

assessment, besideshistorical development

and current status ofindustrial symbiosis (IS)

10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00443.x

Life CycleAssessment

and IndustryFinland Review


Table 3. Cont.


32

Effectiveness of thepolicy of circular

economy in China: ADEA-based analysisfor the period of 11th

five-year-plan

Wu H.-Q., Shi Y., Xia Q.,Zhu W.-D. 88 102 2014



AppliedQuantitative

Described dataenvelopment analysis tomeasure efficiency of CEdevelopment in China.


Policy and Im-plementation China Case Study

33

Green, circular, bioeconomy: A

comparative analysisof sustainability

avenues

D’Amato, D.; Droste, N.;Allen, B.; Kettunen, M.;

Laehtinen, K.; Korhonen,J.; Leskinen, P.;Matthies, B. D.;Toppinen, A.


Production


Applied

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Elaborated theconceptual differences

between CircularEconomy and

Bio-economy and GreenEconomy.


Economy andEnvironment Finland Review

34

Lost in Transition?Drivers and Barriersin the Eco-innovationRoad to the Circular

Economy

de Jesus A., Mendonça S. 65 83 2018 EcologicalEconomics


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Brought to light theinsights of soft and hard

factors in generatingeco-innovation (EI)during transition to

circular economy (CE)

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.08.001

Driver andBarrier Portugal Review

35

The Emergence ofCircular Economy A

New Framing AroundProlonging Resource

Productivity

Blomsma, Fenna;Brennan, Geraldine 125 165 2017



andDescriptive

Qualitative

Described the potentiallycatalytic function the CEperforms in waste andresource management

doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12603

Waste andResource


36

The Relevance ofCircular Economy

Practices to theSustainable

Development Goals

Schroeder, Patrick;Anggraeni, Kartika;

Weber, Uwe36 47 2019



andDescriptive

Qualitative

Presented therelationship of CE

practices and the SDGs,as well as highlightingCE practices that can

help to achieve the SDGtargets.

10.1111/jiec.12732 Sustainableand Business


37

Strategies onimplementation of

waste-to-energy(WTE) supply chainfor circular economy

system: a review

Pan, Shu-Yuan; Du,Michael Alex; Huang,

I-Te; Liu, I-Hung; Chang,E-E; Chiang, Pen-Chi


Production


andDescriptive

QualitativePresented several casesin the waste-to-energysupply chain to assessthe level of circularity.


Waste andEnergy China Case Study

38The Circular EconomyA new sustainability

paradigm?

Geissdoerfer, Martin;Savaget, Paulo; Bocken,Nancy M. P.; Hultink,

Erik Jan


Production


Applied

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Illustrated conceptualtrends of CE using

bibliometric analysis andsemi-structured

snowballing technique.


Sustainableand Economy


39

Towards a newtaxonomy of circular

economy businessmodels

Andrea Urbinati, DavideChiaroni, Vittorio Chiesa 84 112 2017

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Presented the strengthsand weakness of the

classification frameworkto assess the methodbesides the agenda.

doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.03.045

Life Cycle, andRecycle Belgium Review


Table 3. Cont.


40

Products that goround: Exploring

product life extensionthrough design

Bakker C., Wang F.,Huisman J., Den

Hollander M.172 188 2014

Journal ofCleaner

Production


AppliedQuantitative

Brought to light thenumber of product life

extension strategiesbesides showing the

requirement for tailoredapproaches.


Design andProduct Dutch Case Study

41

Progress Toward aCircular Economy inChina The Drivers(and Inhibitors) of

Eco-industrialInitiative

Mathews, John A.;Tan, Hao 164 178 2011



andDescriptive

QualitativeDemonstrated common

themes across casestudies on eco-industrial

aspects.

10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00332.x

Driver andIndustry China Case Study

42Circular economy

indicators: What dothey measure?

Moraga G., Huysveld S.,Mathieux F., BlenginiG.A., Alaerts L., Van

Acker K., de Meester S.,Dewulf J.

29 2019Resources,



andDescriptive

Qualitative

Generated aclassification framework

for CE indicators andused it to evaluate

quantitative indicators tomeasure CE and its

process.



tationBelgium Review

43

Energy conservationand circular economy

in China’s processindustries

Li, Huiquan; Bao,Weijun; Xiu, Caihong;

Zhang, Yi; Xu, Hongbin87 104 2010 Energy


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Described the energyconservation method ofChina’s process industryfor the learning of other

nations.

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2009.04.021

Waste andEnergy China Case Study

44

The circular economy,design thinking and

education forsustainability

Andrews D. 54 2015 Local Economy


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Illustrated the necessityfor inclusion of design

thinking and practice ineducation curricula.

10.1177/0269094215578226 Design andProduct


45

Operational principlesof circular economy

for sustainabledevelopment: Linking

theory and practice

Suárez-Eiroa B.,Fernández E.,

Méndez-Martínez G.,Soto-Oñate D.

26 2019Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Identified sevenoperational principles to

emphasize the role ofdesign and education as

transversal elements,besides introducing anew definition of CE.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.271

Sustainableand System Spain Review

46Product services for aresource-efficient and

circular economy-areview

Tukker, Arnold 443 542 2015Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Elaborated the process ofimplementation of

Product Service Systems(PSS), besides

identification of factorsenabling

implementation seekingattention.


Product andSystem Netherlands Review


Table 3. Cont.


47

Unlocking the circulareconomy through new

business modelsbased on large-scaledata: An integrative

framework andresearch agenda

Jabbour C.J.C., JabbourA.B.L.D.S., Sarkis J.,

Filho M.G.46 2019

TechnologicalForecasting &Social Change


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Generated an integrativeframework for

illustrating the nexusbetween CE and

large-scale data (LD).

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.09.010

ReSOLVE andSociety France Review

48

Consumer productknowledge and

intention to purchaseremanufactured

products

Wang Y., Hazen B.T. 73 88 2016International

Journal ofProductionEconomics


AppliedQuantitative

Comprehendedremanufacturing and

closed-loop supply chainmanaging policiesbesides marketing

strategies.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2015.08.031

Remanufactureand Supply

chainChina Case Study

49

Creating integratedbusiness and

environmental valuewithin the context of

China’s circulareconomy and

ecologicalmodernization

Park, Jacob; Sarkis,Joseph; Wu, Zhaohui 122 144 2010

Journal ofCleaner

Production

Conceptual,Fundamental,

andDescriptive

Qualitative

Illustrated emergingintegration of business

value and environmentalreturns in the context ofCE in China applying

the theoretical lens.

10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.06.001 Environmentand Economy China Case Study

50

Green chemistry andgreen engineering in

China: Drivers,policies and barriers

to innovation

Matus K.J.M., Xiao X.,Zimmerman J.B. 58 2012

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Described the crucialbarriers to and enablersof green chemistry and

engineering innovationsin China.

10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.03.033 Innovationand Policy China Case Study

51

How Circular is theGlobal Economy?: An

Assessment ofMaterial Flows, Waste

Production, andRecycling in the

European Union andthe World in 2005

Haas, Willi; Krausmann,Fridolin; Wiedenhofer,

Dominik; Heinz, Markus198 237 2015


Fundamental,Empirical,Analytical

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Revealed the necessityfor review, newdefinition, and

measurement ofcircularity.

10.1111/jiec.12244 Production,and Recycle

UnitedKingdom Case Study

52

How do scholarsapproach the circular

economy? Asystematic literature

review

Merli R., Preziosi M.,Acampora A. 90 112 2018

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

QualitativeBrought to light the bestpractices and solutionsfrom several schools ofthoughts to execute CE.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.112

Innovationand

EnvironmentItaly Review

53

Implementation ofcircular economy

business models bysmall and

medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs):

Barriers and enablers

Rizos V., Behrens A., vander Gaast W., Hofman E.,Ioannou A., Kafyeke T.,Flamos A., Rinaldi R.,

Papadelis S.,Hirschnitz-Garbers M.,

Topi C.

84 99 2016 Sustainability(Switzerland)


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Presented theunderstanding around

requirement of sufficientknowledge and technical

knowhow to executecircular economy in

small and medium-sizedenterprises

10.3390/su8111212 Barrier andRisk



Table 3. Cont.


54

The CircularEconomy: An

InterdisciplinaryExploration of the

Concept andApplication in aGlobal Context

Murray A., Skene K.,Haynes K. 357 2017 Journal of

Business Ethics


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Demonstrated CE’srelation with sustainable

business andapplications, besidespolicy implications.

10.1007/s10551-015-2693-2

Business andpolicy


55

The circular economy:New or Refurbished

as CE 3.0?—ExploringControversies in theConceptualization ofthe Circular Economy

through a Focus onHistory and Resource

Value RetentionOptions

Reike D., VermeulenW.J.V., Witjes S. 66 90 2018



andDescriptive

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Illustrated numerousR-imperatives and their

attributes forconceptualizing the key

CE principle.

doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.027 R-imperatives Netherlands Review

56Towards a consensus

on the circulareconomy

Prieto-Sandoval V.,Jaca C., Ormazabal M. 87 107 2018

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Revealed the threeeco-innovation

determinants after theirapplication in CE was

regulated and policy wasframed for the supplyside and demand side.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.224

Innovationand

EnvironmentSpain Review

57Reutilisation-

extended materialflows and circulareconomy in China

Li N., Zhang T., Liang S. 21 2013 WasteManagement



Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Introduced readers toreutilisation-related laws

and regulations withrespect to CE.

10.1016/j.wasman.2013.01.029

Measurementand RawMaterial

China Review

58

Introduction of thecircular economy

within developingregions: A

comparative analysisof advantages andopportunities for

waste valorization

Ferronato N., Rada E.C.,Gorritty Portillo M.A.,Cioca L.I., Ragazzi M.,

Torretta V.24 27 2019

Journal ofEnvironmentalManagement


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Presented the mainopportunities for

improving the currentstate of solid waste

management inupcoming big cities.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.09.095

Recycle andRaw Material

Romania &Bolivia Case Study

59

Measuring circulareconomy strategies

through indexmethods: A critical

analysis

Valerio EliaMaria,GraziaGnoni,

FabianaTornese84 101 2017

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Proposed anddemonstrated a

four-level framework tosupport the assessmentduring monitoring ofmultiple stages of CE.



tationItaly Review

60

Food packaging in thecircular economy:

Overview of chemicalsafety aspects forcommonly used

materials

Birgit Geueke, KseniaGroh, Jane Muncke 35 41 2018

Journal ofCleaner

Production


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Brought to light theimportant properties of

food packagingmaterials affecting theirrecyclability and safety

aspects.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.05.005

Recycle,Reduce and

ReuseSwitzerland Case Study


Table 3. Cont.


61

Environmental SupplyChain Cooperationand Its Effect on theCircular Economy

Practice-PerformanceRelationship Among

ChineseManufacturers

Zhu, Qinghua; Geng,Yong; Lai, Kee-hung 61 66 2011



AppliedQuantitative

Brought to notice thefacts on leading

manufacturers withhigher levels of

implementation ofEnvironmental Supply

Chain Cooperationpractices.

doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00329.x


chainChina Case Study

62

The Impact of Scale,Recycling Boundary,

and Type of Waste onSymbiosis and

Recycling

Chen, Xudong; Fujita,Tsuyoshi; Ohnishi,

Satoshi; Fujii, Minoru;Geng, Yong

42 46 2012Journal ofIndustrialEcology



Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Revealed therelationships between

recycling boundary,project scale, and

performance of eacheco-town

besides the recyclingfacility in eco-towns

with regard to the typesof waste treated.

10.1111/j.1530-9290.2011.00422.x

Waste andRecycle Japan Case Study

63The Circular

Economy: Swings andRoundabouts?

Millar N., McLaughlinE., Börger T. 28 2019 Ecological

Economics


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Presented literature onceand SustainableDevelopment to

demonstrate theirpotential for economic

growth.

doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.12.012

Developmentand Economy Ireland Review

64

Designing thebusiness models for

circulareconomy-towards theconceptual framework

Lewandowski M. 211 227 2016 Sustainability(Switzerland)


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Illuminated theresearchers of CE with

classifications,characteristic, and

integration processes forcircular business models.

doi:10.3390/su8010043 Business andPrinciple Poland Review

65

Developing countryexperience with

eco-industrial parks: acase study of theTianjin Economic-

TechnologicalDevelopment Area in

China

Shi, Han; Chertow,Marian; Song, Yuyan 180 196 2010

Journal ofCleaner

Production


Applied

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Elucidated the processTianjin

Economic-TechnologicalDevelopment Areaadopted to form acomplex industrial

symbiosis network in amixed industrial parkbesides examining the

features and patterns ofexisting and

discontinued ISexchanges.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.10.002

Industry andEconomy China Case Study

66

Environmentalsciences, sustainable

development andcircular economy:

Alternative conceptsfor trans-disciplinary

research

Sauvé S., Bernard S.,Sloan P. 152 182 2016 Environmental

Development


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Elucidated threealternative concepts on

transdisciplinaryresearch, and showcased

the opportunitiesbesides associated

challenges.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2015.09.002

Environmentand

SustainableCanada Review


Table 3. Cont.


67

The history andcurrent applications ofthe circular economy

concept

Winans, K.; Kendall, A.;Deng, H. 132 154 2017

Renewable andSustainable

Energy Reviews


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Illustrated assessment ofongoing CE initiatives

and highlighted barriersto sustained circularitydue to material flows

that exceeded or did notmeet demand, and

transport andinfrastructure.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.123

Policy andInfrastructure Denmark Review

68New business modelsfor a radical change in

resource efficiencySchulte U.G. 43 2013

EnvironmentalInnovation and

SocietalTransitions


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Highlighted newbusinesses which

cropped up with thenotion of serving as anintermediary, becausethey own the material

content of products andsell back the materials tothe producer at the end

of the life cycle.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2013.09.006

Business andResource Netherland Case Study

69

Challenges in supplychain redesign for theCircular Economy: aliterature review anda multiple case study

Bressanelli G., PeronaM., Saccani N. 25 2019


ProductionResearch

Conceptual,Emperical,

Fundamentaland

Descriptive

Qualitative

Identified and classifiedchallenges about CE

supply chain redesignbased on analysis ofprevious literature.

doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1542176

Supply chainand Design Italy Review &

Case Study

70

Survey of officials’awareness on circular

economydevelopment in China:

Based on municipaland county level

Xue, Bing; Chen,Xing-peng; Geng, Yong;

Guo, Xiao-jia; Lu,Cheng-peng; Zhang,Zi-long; Lu, Chen-yu

62 81 2010Resources,



AppliedQuantitative

Revealed facts onawareness of the concept

of CE in governmentand the public.

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2010.05.010

Policy andGovernment China Case Study

71

The circular economyumbrella: Trends andgaps on integrating

pathways

Homrich A.S., Galvão G.,Abadia L.G., Carvalho

M.M.67 84 2018

Journal ofCleaner

Production


Applied

Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Presented definition ofCE, besides highlightingthe main trends, research

gaps.

doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.064

Economy andBusiness Brazil Review

72

Towards a moreCircular Economy:

Proposing aframework linkingsustainable publicprocurement and

sustainable businessmodels

Witjes S., Lozano R. 160 136 2016Resources,



andDescriptive

Qualitative

Generated a frameworkwith socio-cultural

specifications besidesphysical and social

proximity between thestakeholders to include

technical andnon-technical aspects of

product/servicecombinations to improveresource usage efficiency

through recovery.


Collaborateand Business Netherlands Review


Table 3. Cont.


73

Sustainable supplychain managementand the transitiontowards a circular

economy: Evidenceand some applications

Genovese, Andrea;Acquaye, Adolf A.;

Figueroa, Alejandro;Koh, S. C. Lenny

198 229 2017 Omega (UnitedKingdom)


AppliedQuantitative

Elucidated theenvironmental

implications related toimplementation ofcircular productionsystems, comparing

performances oftraditional and circular

production systemsacross a range of

indicators.

dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2015.05.015


Chain


74Circular Economy:

The Concept and itsLimitations

Korhonen J.,Honkasalo A., Seppälä J. 224 281 2018 Ecological

Economics


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Demonstrated thescientific basis for the CEconcept and assessed theCE concept critically todescribe high value and

high quality materialcycles and show thepossibilities of thesharing economy

besides sustainableproduction for a moresustainable production

and consumption.

10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.06.041

Environmentand

SustainableFinland Review

75

Policy for materialefficiency-Sustainable

taxation as adeparture from thethrowaway society

Stahel W.R. 57 2013

PhilosophicalTransactions of

The RoyalSociety A

MathematicalPhysical andEngineering

Sciences


andDescriptive

Qualitative

Highlighted the findingthat taxing materials and

energies may promotelow-carbon and

low-resource solutionsand may stimulate a

move towards a ‘circular’regional economy.

dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2011.0567

Society andPolicy


76

Internationalcomparative study of

3R and wastemanagement policy

developments

Shin-ichi Sakai, HidetoYoshida, Yasuhiro Hirai,Misuzu Asari, Hidetaka

Takigami, ShinTakahashi, Keijirou

Tomoda, Maria VictoriaPeeler, Jakub Wejchert,

ThomasSchmid-Unterseh, AldoRavazzi Douvan, Roy

Hathaway, Lars D.Hylander, Christian

Fischer, Gil Jong Oh, LiJinhui & Ngo Kim Chi

70 83 2011

Journal ofMaterial Cycles

and WasteManagement

volume



Quantitativeand

Qualitative

Described the currentsituation, historicalbackground, and

effectiveness of 3Rpolicies within one

specific region.

10.1007/s10163-011-0009-x

R-imperativesand Countries

USA, Korea,Japan, China,

andVietnam

Case Study


Figure 3. 110 Keywords bonding emerged from Bibliometric Analysis.

The ontology of each associate may be observed from the Bibliometric analysis resultof Figure 3, relation map plotting of keywords using the VoSviewer application in Figure 4,and finally, the Table A1. This section supports RQ2 of the study.



Figure 4. The 82 most prominent as well as relevant relationships between keywords and CE based

on the screened literature.

Similar words or intending phrases were clubbed based on commonalities with con-

text for the last three exercises, helping to reduce the essential associates of CE to 49. We

identified Lexical items and counted them in the process. These identified keywords de-

scribe CE’s association with multiple sectors and the current state of the art. While extrap-

olating and clubbing the keywords, it was observed that the representation of the Sustain-

ability pillar, R-strategies, and ReSOLVE framework governs from the literature pieces,

as 19 CE associates appeared from these three frameworks, highlighting their implica-

tions. Besides, three R-imperatives, though not considered one of the 10 R-framework

strategies, emerged during the analysis and discussion. The narrative literature review on

systematically selected research papers followed by applying statistical tools to analyse

the selected research content made this study unique. The indexing process is demon-

strated for finally emerged keywords extracted as CE associates (Table A1).

The following groups of CE associates appeared from the above analysis: R-strategies

(10R, Replace, Return, Refill); Business actions (ReSOLVE framework); Sustainability pillars

(Sustainable, Economy, Environment, Society); Regulation and Standardization (Govern-

ment, Policy, System, Implementation, Measurement, Institute, Countries, Infrastructure,

Collaborate); Business model canvas (Business, Supply chain, Resource, Innovation, Behav-

iour, Raw material, Design, Technology, Principles, Industry, Life cycle assessment, Prod-

uct, Energy, Waste, Risk); and Influencers (Barrier, Driver).

This is the unique contribution which led to the emergence of 49 critical associates

from the CE literature. It represents the identification of associates from diversified per-

spectives and inclusivity with a strength of linkages and a direction towards understand-

ing the structures of CE implementation from both a practice and theory orientation (Fig-

ure 4).

4.2. Semantic Analysis of 76 Articles and 122 Definitions

Screened CE associates were validated using code and statistical tools.

▪ Occurrence and frequency mapping of 76 articles

In this section, we conducted an occurrence mapping exercise, and 49 keywords cum

associates were mapped for two different time intervals of the studied period, i.e., 2010 to

2019. Two different time intervals helped analyse the subject from the perspective pre

(2010–2015) and post (2016–2019) the appearance of the SDG concept and its targets. The

result of this exercise generated an exciting result. The result presented 25 associates get-

ting more attention in the second phase compared to the first phase time frame of 2010–

2015 due to the inception of the idea of SDGs. The top ten impacted CE associates were

(ce > en

viro

nm

ent)

(ce > eco

nom

ics)

(ce > scien

ce)

(ce > p

rogress)

(ce > m

eso)

(ce > eco

nom

y)

(ce > lead

er)

(ce > co

ntrib

utio

n)

(ce > co

operatio

n)

(ce > m

easurem

ent)

(ce > b

egin

nin

g)

(ce > d

river)

(ce > w

ater)

(ce > stak

ehold

er)

(ce > so

cial)

(ce > d

esign)

(ce > lo

gistics)

(ce > co

mm

un

ity)

(ce > to

ol)

(ce > p

roced

ure)

(ce > p

rodu

ction)

(ce > relatio

nsh

ip)

(ce > sh

ock

)

(ce > in

form

ation)

(ce > lo

op)

(ce > g

row

th)

(ce > o

rgan

ization

)

(ce > d

ecouplin

g)

(ce > in

vestig

ation)

(ce > B

MI)

(ce > g

ov

ernm

ent)

(ce > w

aste)

(ce > eq

uip

men

t)

(ce >S

DG

)

(ce > fram

ework

)

(ce > p

rincip

le)

(ce > ch

ina)

(ce > p

erform

ance)

(ce > p

olicy

)

(ce > im

plem

entatio

n)

(ce > strateg

y)

Figure 4. The 82 most prominent as well as relevant relationships between keywords and CE basedon the screened literature.

Similar words or intending phrases were clubbed based on commonalities with contextfor the last three exercises, helping to reduce the essential associates of CE to 49. We identi-fied Lexical items and counted them in the process. These identified keywords describe


CE’s association with multiple sectors and the current state of the art. While extrapolatingand clubbing the keywords, it was observed that the representation of the Sustainabilitypillar, R-strategies, and ReSOLVE framework governs from the literature pieces, as 19 CEassociates appeared from these three frameworks, highlighting their implications. Besides,three R-imperatives, though not considered one of the 10 R-framework strategies, emergedduring the analysis and discussion. The narrative literature review on systematically se-lected research papers followed by applying statistical tools to analyse the selected researchcontent made this study unique. The indexing process is demonstrated for finally emergedkeywords extracted as CE associates (Table A1).

The following groups of CE associates appeared from the above analysis: R-strategies(10R, Replace, Return, Refill); Business actions (ReSOLVE framework); Sustainability pillars(Sustainable, Economy, Environment, Society); Regulation and Standardization (Government,Policy, System, Implementation, Measurement, Institute, Countries, Infrastructure, Collabo-rate); Business model canvas (Business, Supply chain, Resource, Innovation, Behaviour, Rawmaterial, Design, Technology, Principles, Industry, Life cycle assessment, Product, Energy,Waste, Risk); and Influencers (Barrier, Driver).

This is the unique contribution which led to the emergence of 49 critical associates fromthe CE literature. It represents the identification of associates from diversified perspectivesand inclusivity with a strength of linkages and a direction towards understanding thestructures of CE implementation from both a practice and theory orientation (Figure 4).

4.2. Semantic Analysis of 76 Articles and 122 Definitions

Screened CE associates were validated using code and statistical tools.

� Occurrence and frequency mapping of 76 articles

In this section, we conducted an occurrence mapping exercise, and 49 keywords cumassociates were mapped for two different time intervals of the studied period, i.e., 2010to 2019. Two different time intervals helped analyse the subject from the perspective pre(2010–2015) and post (2016–2019) the appearance of the SDG concept and its targets. Theresult of this exercise generated an exciting result. The result presented 25 associates gettingmore attention in the second phase compared to the first phase time frame of 2010–2015 dueto the inception of the idea of SDGs. The top ten impacted CE associates were consideredfor discussion to eliminate overlapping scopes between negligible transition and noticeabletransition due to the SDG’s inception in 2016. The top ten CE associates during 2016–19vis-à-vis 2010–15 are: “Enabler, Loop, Principle, Society, Innovation, Collaboration, System,Regeneration, Design, Supply Chain” (Figure 5). Thus, Section 4.1 followed by 4.2, Table A1,and Figure 5 collectively addresses RQ2 in all respects.

Transiting in CE associates focus is clear in 2016–19 over 2010–15, where buildingblocks of the business model canvas receive more emphasis at firm level decisions totranslate into consumer behaviour profitably with niche value creation. However, thisrequires shared modalities with effective strategic planning actions.

Besides, based on the understanding and built scenario of CE’s current state fromthe previous literature, a semantic analysis was conducted. A frequency map emerged forassociates of CE on considering syntactic structures and textual context to analyse abstractsand conclusions applying TROPES V8.4 [38] (Figure 6). However, on comparing bothoccurrence and frequency semantic analysis, similar associates have been extracted, thoughwith varying preferential order. This validates the prior analysis with high reliability.

Further, to explore CE’s theoretical perceptions, CE’s multifaceted definitions, whichemerged in 76 articles from academicians of CE, were analysed. During the exercise,we extracted 122 definitions from 76 articles. Multiple authors have defined CE withmultiple perspectives at different periods. We conducted an Occurrence Mapping andSemantic Analysis for identified definitions based on a built scenario from the reflection ofnarratives, understanding of literature, and identified associates of this study mentioned inthe previous literature review section.




considered for discussion to eliminate overlapping scopes between negligible transition

and noticeable transition due to the SDG’s inception in 2016. The top ten CE associates

during 2016–19 vis-à-vis 2010–15 are: “Enabler, Loop, Principle, Society, Innovation, Col-

laboration, System, Regeneration, Design, Supply Chain” (Figure 5). Thus, Section 4.1 fol-

lowed by 4.2, Table A1, and Figure 5 collectively addresses RQ2 in all respects.

Transiting in CE associates focus is clear in 2016–19 over 2010–15, where building

blocks of the business model canvas receive more emphasis at firm level decisions to trans-

late into consumer behaviour profitably with niche value creation. However, this requires

shared modalities with effective strategic planning actions.

Figure 5. Occurrence percentage of associates of CE in 2010–15 and 2016–19.

Besides, based on the understanding and built scenario of CE’s current state from the

previous literature, a semantic analysis was conducted. A frequency map emerged for

associates of CE on considering syntactic structures and textual context to analyse ab-

stracts and conclusions applying TROPES V8.4 [38] (Figure 6). However, on comparing

both occurrence and frequency semantic analysis, similar associates have been extracted,

though with varying preferential order. This validates the prior analysis with high relia-

bility.

Figure 6. Demonstration of frequency map generated from TROPES based on Semantic Analysis of

76 article contents.

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avio

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p

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ciple

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te

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vern

men

t

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y

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ov

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un

try

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uce

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n

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chain

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cle

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stem

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considered for discussion to eliminate overlapping scopes between negligible transition and noticeable transition due to the SDG’s inception in 2016. The top ten CE associates during 2016–19 vis-à-vis 2010–15 are: “Enabler, Loop, Principle, Society, Innovation, Col-laboration, System, Regeneration, Design, Supply Chain” (Figure 5). Thus, Section 4.1 fol-lowed by 4.2, Table A1, and Figure 5 collectively addresses RQ2 in all respects.

Transiting in CE associates focus is clear in 2016–19 over 2010–15, where building blocks of the business model canvas receive more emphasis at firm level decisions to trans-late into consumer behaviour profitably with niche value creation. However, this requires shared modalities with effective strategic planning actions.


Besides, based on the understanding and built scenario of CE’s current state from the previous literature, a semantic analysis was conducted. A frequency map emerged for associates of CE on considering syntactic structures and textual context to analyse ab-stracts and conclusions applying TROPES V8.4 [38] (Figure 6). However, on comparing both occurrence and frequency semantic analysis, similar associates have been extracted, though with varying preferential order. This validates the prior analysis with high relia-bility.

Figure 6. Demonstration of frequency map generated from TROPES based on Semantic Analysis of 76 article contents.

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2010-15 2016-19

1 1 2 4 4 5 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 12 13 13 15 20 25 26 36 48 5973 74 78 85 95 96

101103106127135152158

200210213214226242

319340

380383

501578

816

RefuseV

irtualizeRefillRem

anufactureRepurposeLifecycleRepairRethinkReplaceRegenerateRaw

material

RefurbishCollaborateReturnO

ptimize

ShareExchangeInfrastructureRiskRecoverReuseTechnologyBehaviourLoopPrincipleInstituteG

overnment

EnergyInnovationCountryD

riverReduceD

esignSupply chainRecycleW

asteSystemBarrierPolicySocietyResourceIm

plementation

SustainableProductM

easurement

IndustryEnvironm

entEconom

yBusiness

Figure 6. Demonstration of frequency map generated from TROPES based on Semantic Analysis of76 article contents.

� Occurrence and frequency mapping of 122 definitions

On analysing the occurrence of a keyword from the considered literature, it was ob-served that the most prioritized CE associate identified from the contents of 122 definitionsafter performing occurrence mapping was: “Product, Measurement, Environment, Eco-nomic, Resource, Waste, Industry, Recycle, Reuse”, and so forth, as illustrated in Figure 7.“Repurpose, Virtualize, Collaborate, Refuse, Refill” are the least occurred CE associates inthe contents of the 122 definitions dataset.

On applying semantic analysis to 122 definitions, it was observed that “Economy,Resource, Environment, Industry, Product” are eminent CE associates while “Repurpose,Virtualize, Collaboration” are discreet (Figure 8). Comparing graphs in Figures 7 and 8, i.e.,graphs mapping the occurrence and frequency of 49 associates from 122 definitions, 23 po-sitioned associates matched each other. The similar associates in two graphs are positionedat the lower end, signifying low preference over top associates. It refers to how this exerciseconcludes a consensus among academicians towards the mentioned associates receivingless attention. Hence, CE literature for these associates is still underdeveloped while thefocus has been heavily on other broader aspects connected to policy level, sustainabilitypillars, few R-strategies, etc.




Further, to explore CE’s theoretical perceptions, CE’s multifaceted definitions, which

emerged in 76 articles from academicians of CE, were analysed. During the exercise, we

extracted 122 definitions from 76 articles. Multiple authors have defined CE with multiple

perspectives at different periods. We conducted an Occurrence Mapping and Semantic

Analysis for identified definitions based on a built scenario from the reflection of narra-

tives, understanding of literature, and identified associates of this study mentioned in the

previous literature review section.

▪ Occurrence and frequency mapping of 122 definitions

On analysing the occurrence of a keyword from the considered literature, it was ob-

served that the most prioritized CE associate identified from the contents of 122 defini-

tions after performing occurrence mapping was: “Product, Measurement, Environment,

Economic, Resource, Waste, Industry, Recycle, Reuse”, and so forth, as illustrated in Fig-

ure 7. “Repurpose, Virtualize, Collaborate, Refuse, Refill” are the least occurred CE asso-

ciates in the contents of the 122 definitions dataset.

Figure 7. Demonstration of occurrence map generated through coding based on Text Analysis of

122 definitions.

On applying semantic analysis to 122 definitions, it was observed that “Economy,

Resource, Environment, Industry, Product” are eminent CE associates while “Repurpose,

Virtualize, Collaboration” are discreet (Figure 8). Comparing graphs in Figures 7 and 8,

i.e., graphs mapping the occurrence and frequency of 49 associates from 122 definitions,

23 positioned associates matched each other. The similar associates in two graphs are po-

sitioned at the lower end, signifying low preference over top associates. It refers to how

this exercise concludes a consensus among academicians towards the mentioned associ-

ates receiving less attention. Hence, CE literature for these associates is still underdevel-

oped while the focus has been heavily on other broader aspects connected to policy level,

sustainability pillars, few R-strategies, etc.

0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 81010

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timize

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are

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air

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lace

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tation

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no

logy

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enerate

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ciple

Countries

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ciety

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uce

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p

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n

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y

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siness

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stem

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se

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cle

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ustry

Waste

Reso

urce

Eco

no

my

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iron

men

t

Measu

remen

t

Pro

du

ct

Figure 7. Demonstration of occurrence map generated through coding based on Text Analysis of122 definitions.



Figure 8. Demonstration of frequency map generated from TROPES based on Semantic Analysis of

122 definitions.

4.3. Weighted Average Priority Ranking (WAPR) on ARTICLES and definitions

Prior analyses have revealed the 49 most critical CE associates and their significance

based on network connectedness, relevance, occurrence, and frequency mapping; how-

ever, the preferential order of these associates is not clearly depicted. It is imperative to

understand their ranking, which will characterize their existing strength of bonding.

Therefore, WAPR is adopted as this process helps to incorporate opinions or results of

multiple techniques or experts based on subjective weights [107]. Most importantly, the

analysis provides an order of preference and indicates relative magnitude [48]. While cal-

culating WAPR, weightage was equally distributed for associates, i.e., 0.25 for all 10R con-

sidered strategies under different circumstances. WAPR for associates based on analysis

of content and definitions combined and shown in Figure 9.

Findings depicts that the ranking of 49 associates ranges from a minimum of zero to

a maximum of 0.89. These rankings may be interpreted by categorizing them into three

broad ranges of high (value from 0.89 to 0.40); medium (value from 0.39 to 0.20); and low

(value from 0.19 to zero). This suggests that highly ranked associates represent core prin-

ciples of CE: i.e., retention of resources in the system; elimination of wastes; resource re-

covery via recycling; industry focus on circular products in consideration with eco-

nomic/business and environmental impact; whereas the medium ranking associates show

a diverse approach in the context of macrolevel associates like policy, country, societal

perception, influencers having a positive or negative impact, technology advancement,

etc. These primarily operate to create a proactive collaborative CE ecosystem. Lastly, the

low rankers clearly reinforce earlier findings also regarding the least focus on the business

actions with newly integrated R-strategies like recover, regenerate, remanufacture, re-

think, etc. Less academic focus suggests that empirical evidences of practising such strat-

egies and business actions is lacking for CE implementation in practice.

0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 8 8 9

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urp

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alize

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llaborate

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se

Refill

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ink

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pply

chain

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chan

ge

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cture

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avio

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rn

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ation

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cle

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te

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vern

men

t

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rbish

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anufactu

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are

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timize

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ver

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lace

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material

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air

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no

logy

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enerate

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lemen

tation

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ciple

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stainab

ility

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licy

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un

tries

Desig

n

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uce

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ciety

Lo

op

En

ergy

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remen

t

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se

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cle

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siness

Sy

stem

Pro

du

ct

Ind

ustry

En

viro

nm

ent

Reso

urce

Eco

no

my

Figure 8. Demonstration of frequency map generated from TROPES based on Semantic Analysis of122 definitions.

4.3. Weighted Average Priority Ranking (WAPR) on ARTICLES and Definitions

Prior analyses have revealed the 49 most critical CE associates and their significancebased on network connectedness, relevance, occurrence, and frequency mapping; how-ever, the preferential order of these associates is not clearly depicted. It is imperative tounderstand their ranking, which will characterize their existing strength of bonding. There-fore, WAPR is adopted as this process helps to incorporate opinions or results of multipletechniques or experts based on subjective weights [107]. Most importantly, the analysisprovides an order of preference and indicates relative magnitude [48]. While calculatingWAPR, weightage was equally distributed for associates, i.e., 0.25 for all 10R consideredstrategies under different circumstances. WAPR for associates based on analysis of contentand definitions combined and shown in Figure 9.

Findings depicts that the ranking of 49 associates ranges from a minimum of zero to amaximum of 0.89. These rankings may be interpreted by categorizing them into three broadranges of high (value from 0.89 to 0.40); medium (value from 0.39 to 0.20); and low (valuefrom 0.19 to zero). This suggests that highly ranked associates represent core principles ofCE: i.e., retention of resources in the system; elimination of wastes; resource recovery viarecycling; industry focus on circular products in consideration with economic/business and


environmental impact; whereas the medium ranking associates show a diverse approachin the context of macrolevel associates like policy, country, societal perception, influencershaving a positive or negative impact, technology advancement, etc. These primarily operateto create a proactive collaborative CE ecosystem. Lastly, the low rankers clearly reinforceearlier findings also regarding the least focus on the business actions with newly integratedR-strategies like recover, regenerate, remanufacture, rethink, etc. Less academic focussuggests that empirical evidences of practising such strategies and business actions islacking for CE implementation in practice.



Figure 9. Illustration of WAPR of CE from the perspective of 76 articles and 122 definitions content

(combined).

4.4. Association Rule Mining and K-Means Clustering

The WEKA tool was applied to highlight the top associates in terms of their strong

association with CE for association rule mining deploying the Apriori algorithm. To ana-

lyse CE associates’ pattern of association within a CE definition database, Apriori is the

most compatible algorithm in place [108]. On mining the definition dataset, the ten best

rules were generated as the output with the minimum metric <confidence> value at 0.99.

On the application of Association Rule Mining on a database of CE definitions, 48 attrib-

utes interacted. We set minimum support of 0.40 (59 instances), and 12 cycles were per-

formed algorithmically (Figure 10).

Figure 10. Association mapping using 122 definitions.

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Figure 9. Illustration of WAPR of CE from the perspective of 76 articles and 122 definitions content(combined).


The WEKA tool was applied to highlight the top associates in terms of their strongassociation with CE for association rule mining deploying the Apriori algorithm. To analyseCE associates’ pattern of association within a CE definition database, Apriori is the mostcompatible algorithm in place [108]. On mining the definition dataset, the ten best ruleswere generated as the output with the minimum metric <confidence> value at 0.99. Onthe application of Association Rule Mining on a database of CE definitions, 48 attributesinteracted. We set minimum support of 0.40 (59 instances), and 12 cycles were performedalgorithmically (Figure 10).

K-means Cluster Analysis was applied to segregate the most significant, moderatelysignificant, and insignificant associates and CE associations. Insignificant associates arethose that appeared extremely less in articles. The primary reason for considering theK-means Cluster Analysis method is that the technique is non-hierarchical. It uses simpleunsupervised learning algorithms to offer a solution to the problem of Clustering [109].Besides, the K-means clustering analysis process is also an iterative partitioning methodthat divides observations into a predetermined number of clusters [110]. The value of K isdetermined as eight using the Elbow method to execute the K-means Clustering algorithmconsidering centroid value to define cluster centres (Figure 11) [111].




Figure 9. Illustration of WAPR of CE from the perspective of 76 articles and 122 definitions content

(combined).


The WEKA tool was applied to highlight the top associates in terms of their strong

association with CE for association rule mining deploying the Apriori algorithm. To ana-

lyse CE associates’ pattern of association within a CE definition database, Apriori is the

most compatible algorithm in place [108]. On mining the definition dataset, the ten best

rules were generated as the output with the minimum metric <confidence> value at 0.99.

On the application of Association Rule Mining on a database of CE definitions, 48 attrib-

utes interacted. We set minimum support of 0.40 (59 instances), and 12 cycles were per-

formed algorithmically (Figure 10).


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K-means Cluster Analysis was applied to segregate the most significant, moderately

significant, and insignificant associates and CE associations. Insignificant associates are

those that appeared extremely less in articles. The primary reason for considering the K-

means Cluster Analysis method is that the technique is non-hierarchical. It uses simple

unsupervised learning algorithms to offer a solution to the problem of Clustering [109].

Besides, the K-means clustering analysis process is also an iterative partitioning method

that divides observations into a predetermined number of clusters [110]. The value of K is

determined as eight using the Elbow method to execute the K-means Clustering algorithm

considering centroid value to define cluster centres (Figure 11) [111].

Figure 11. Elbow diagram demonstrating the bent for deciding K value for 122 definitions (data set).

On conducting Cluster Analysis on SPSS using the K-means clustering algorithm at

K-value 8, we obtained cluster numbers six, two, one, and five with the most definitions.

In contrast, clusters number three and eight included the lowest number of CE definitions

followed by cluster seven and four. Table 4 shows cluster-wise definition details.

Table 4. Clustering 122 definitions.

Cluster 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Definitions

8,9,11,12,15,1

6,18,22,27,43,

46,51,52z,66,7

5,77,86,108,

114

2,4,14,17,

23,24,25,

26,28,31,

33,37,42,

45,70,71,

72,74,85,

98,103,111,

115,116,121

5, 68,

105

6,13,

30,35,

36,47, 62,

63,

79,81,

99,113

3,7,10,

41,48,49,

53,54,59,

60,76,84,

88,95,97,

106,107,

110

1,19,20,21,29,

32,39,40,50,56,

57,58,61,64,65,

67,78,80,82,89,

90,91,92,93,94,

96,101,109,117,

118,119,120,122

34,38,

44,55,

73,83,

87,100,102,

112

69, 104

Number 19 25 3 12 18 33 10 2

Clusters six and second have a differential focus whereby former aggregates defini-

tions highlight positive environmental impact by practicing strategies promoting recy-

cling and reuse of existing products to initiate circularity; while the latter emphasizes

waste management, energy conservation, resource retention business applications sup-

ported by development process in some specific nation contexts. Cluster one and five

demonstrate definitions concerning both environment and economy while implementing

the strategies and approaches of circular model from linearity. Simultaneously, similar

Figure 11. Elbow diagram demonstrating the bent for deciding K value for 122 definitions (data set).

On conducting Cluster Analysis on SPSS using the K-means clustering algorithm atK-value 8, we obtained cluster numbers six, two, one, and five with the most definitions. Incontrast, clusters number three and eight included the lowest number of CE definitionsfollowed by cluster seven and four. Table 4 shows cluster-wise definition details.

Table 4. Clustering 122 definitions.

Cluster 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Definitions

8, 9, 11, 12,15, 16, 18, 22,27, 43, 46, 51,52, 66, 75, 77,86, 108, 114

2, 4, 14, 17,23, 24, 25, 26,28, 31, 33, 37,42, 45, 70, 71,72, 74, 85, 98,103, 111, 115,

116, 121

5, 68,105

6, 13, 30, 35,36, 47, 62, 63,

79, 81, 99,113

3, 7, 10, 41,48, 49, 53, 54,59, 60, 76, 84,

88, 95, 97,106, 107,

110

1, 19, 20, 21,29, 32, 39, 40,50, 56, 57, 58,61, 64, 65, 67,78, 80, 82, 89,90, 91, 92, 93,94, 96, 101,

109, 117, 118,119, 120, 122

34, 38, 44, 55,73, 83, 87,

100, 102, 11269, 104

Number 19 25 3 12 18 33 10 2

Clusters six and second have a differential focus whereby former aggregates defini-tions highlight positive environmental impact by practicing strategies promoting recyclingand reuse of existing products to initiate circularity; while the latter emphasizes wastemanagement, energy conservation, resource retention business applications supported bydevelopment process in some specific nation contexts. Cluster one and five demonstrate


definitions concerning both environment and economy while implementing the strategiesand approaches of circular model from linearity. Simultaneously, similar aspects are pro-duced from cluster four; however, no R-strategies are observed, so it primarily encompassesaspects related to energy harnessing with environment considerations, resource acquisition,and retention in a closed or open loop system. Conversely, clusters three, seven, and eighttend to be widespread, ranging in covering themes which are distant but intertwinedlike a nexus of R-imperatives with business modelling aspects to realize economic andenvironmental impact. On generalization, environment is the broad theme across theclusters with a focus on a circular product/process/model through strategic execution forresource conservation.

Further, definitions were analysed through cluster analysis using SPSS to extractCE associates’ significance value based on the ANOVA and distributing them into threegroups, viz., highly significant, moderately significant, and insignificant, derived fromthe p-value (Table 5). Analysis conducted in Sections 4.3 and 4.4 addressed RQ3. Thisshows the focus of emerging associates towards regulation and standardization; sustain-ability; influencers; and certain aspects of business model canvasing, with a negligible effectfrom business actions (ReSOLVE) and majority niche R-strategic resource planning andexecution. Hence, reinforcement of core CE principles in practice gained interest by inte-gration of various associates from a different context operating in an environment at macro(regulatory/policy, national/regional, institutional, industry), meso (intrinsic/extrinsicbusiness actions/strategies), and micro (entire value chain and production processes) levelsinteractively (Figure 12).

Table 5. Segregation of CE associates based on ANOVA table score.

Highly Significant(Sig. < 0.05)

Moderately Significant(0.05 < Sig. ≤ 0.10)

Insignificant(Sig. > 0.10 or No Value)

Waste, Policy, Industry, Energy, Risk, RawMaterial, Product, Design, Technology,

Business, Driver, Barrier, Environmental,Social, Measurement, Sustainable,

Country, Infrastructure, Rethink, Replace,Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, Return,Regenerate, Resource, Optimize,

Economy, System, Principle, Loop

Institute

Behaviour, Implementation, Innovation,Life Cycle, Refuse, Refurbish, Refill,

Recover, Repair, Remanufacture, Share,Exchange, Government, Collaborate,Supply Chain, Repurpose, Virtualize



aspects are produced from cluster four; however, no R-strategies are observed, so it pri-

marily encompasses aspects related to energy harnessing with environment considera-

tions, resource acquisition, and retention in a closed or open loop system. Conversely,

clusters three, seven, and eight tend to be widespread, ranging in covering themes which

are distant but intertwined like a nexus of R-imperatives with business modelling aspects

to realize economic and environmental impact. On generalization, environment is the

broad theme across the clusters with a focus on a circular product/process/model through

strategic execution for resource conservation.

Further, definitions were analysed through cluster analysis using SPSS to extract CE

associates’ significance value based on the ANOVA and distributing them into three

groups, viz., highly significant, moderately significant, and insignificant, derived from the

p-value (Table 5). Analysis conducted in Sections 4.3 and 4.4 addressed RQ3. This shows

the focus of emerging associates towards regulation and standardization; sustainability;

influencers; and certain aspects of business model canvasing, with a negligible effect from

business actions (ReSOLVE) and majority niche R-strategic resource planning and execu-

tion. Hence, reinforcement of core CE principles in practice gained interest by integration

of various associates from a different context operating in an environment at macro (reg-

ulatory/policy, national/regional, institutional, industry), meso (intrinsic/extrinsic busi-

ness actions/strategies), and micro (entire value chain and production processes) levels

interactively (Figure 12).

Table 5. Segregation of CE associates based on ANOVA table score.

Highly Significant

(Sig. < 0.05)

Moderately Significant

(0.05 < Sig. ≤ 0.10)

Insignificant

(Sig. > 0.10 or No Value)

Waste, Policy, Industry, Energy, Risk, Raw Material,

Product, Design, Technology, Business, Driver, Bar-

rier, Environmental, Social, Measurement, Sustaina-

ble, Country, Infrastructure, Rethink, Replace, Re-

use, Recycle, Reduce, Return, Regenerate, Resource,

Optimize, Economy, System, Principle, Loop

Institute

Behaviour, Implementation, Innova-

tion, Life Cycle, Refuse, Refurbish, Re-

fill, Recover, Repair, Remanufacture,

Share, Exchange, Government, Collab-

orate, Supply Chain, Repurpose, Vir-

tualize

Figure 12. Conceptual framework of 49 associates in a CE system architecture. Figure 12. Conceptual framework of 49 associates in a CE system architecture.


4.5. Development of an Integrated CE System

CE research is characterized by interdisciplinary areas and multifaceted themes, cre-ating opportunities for cross-sector linkages, while some associates are more active andothers passive. The analysis shows that a wide range of CE associates operate within theCE eco-system; however, it is fragmented in nature. Interestingly, the majority of themoriginate from R-strategies, ReSOLVE framework, and Sustainability pillars, highlightingtheir leading role. So far, CE literature’s main focus over the initial years was on conceptu-alizing CE while other new trajectories later are emerging related to social embeddedness,value chain underpinning, and business modelling. The analysis varies from reportingthe associates at a macro and meso level, specifically investigating specific industries andpolicy guidelines which are now proliferating at a micro level for every production unitalong with innovative processes including product disposal efficiently.

Previous analysis aided in establishing relations among 49 associates resulting in acomprehensive framework of CE associates (Figure 12). The proposed framework coher-ently depicts that CE is diffused in a system with extracted associates operating at threediverse levels applications i.e., micro, meso, and macro. The micro-level implies CE’s appli-cation at a company or consumer-level; the meso-level suggests CE at an eco-industrial park.Lastly, the macro-level means applying CE in cities, provinces, and regional levels [55,112].

The application of design principles stimulates existing widespread R strategies whilesome contemporary strategies appear inconsequential. These strategies further ensure theexecution of business actions through innovative applications. Perpetual integration of CEwith associates occurs by appropriate regulatory policies governing the CE implementationthrough enablers, barriers, risk mitigation actions, collaborations, new infrastructures,technologies, and institutions. Further associates showed in the framework also try toinfluence production and consumption behaviour through a transition in the supply chain,the energy required for production, and bring in a change in the life cycle of produce. Allsteps are intended to either diffuse or ensure absorption of CE in the system with propermeasurement, and finally, achieve sustainability through the attainment of three pillars,further augmenting sustainable development in an economy. Section 4.5 and Figure 12address the RQ 4.

5. Discussion

Based on the consolidated findings from varied analysis, it is remarkable that 82 bondsleading to 49 associates were uncovered as evident from the growing CE literature. Al-though CE development had been analysed through several theoretical approaches anddomains, a holistic, common view is lacking to interpret the network effect and connect-edness with relevant associates for its implementation from both theoretical and practicalinsights. The study sheds light on the current state of the art of CE, in terms of the associateslinked with CE, and adds itself to the valuable emerging literature on the subject. These as-sociates are responsible for stimulating CE directionally. The study explores, evaluates, anddefines the concept of CE ‘associates’ with an attempt to merge the present knowledge. Thefocus systematically transits from a generic to a specific conception by outlining influencers(barriers/drivers), product innovation and design, business models around circularity,further extending to advanced business actions supporting current digital technologies, re-sponsible production as well as consumption, societal issues, though sporadically. Anotherpattern appearing is the strong connect between CE and sustainability, particularly for twoof its pillars, i.e., economy and environment. It implies that CE is potentially respondingto climate change concerns with absorption for economic transactions; however, due todeficient projections, the societal stimulus is meagre in addressing sustainability issues. Acause-and-effect relation is also noted from previous literature that pointed towards theattainment of SDGs with CE associates. Content analysis of one-decade literature perceivesthat the significant associates are contributing to attaining five SDGs directly, viz., Goal 6,7, 8, 12, and 15 [8]. However, the empirical evidence to investigate CE from a sustainable


development prototype is still lacking to establish CE associates as multi-structural andmulti-layered to achieve CE goals.

In addition, cluster analysis reveals the statistically highly/moderately significant andinsignificant associates, signifying not only their mere association but also the strength ofthe network effect on CE. Current analysis revealed Business, Economics, Environment,Measurement, Product, Industry, Resource, System, Waste, and Recycle are the top tensignificant associates of the CE ecosystem. This study may be further elaborated to definethe magnitude and direction (positive, negative, neutral) of these bonds on the associateswith CE and mutually. Hence, it may provide the understanding of whether nodes areaffecting each other as per expectation or any deviation is happening; moreover, of whatare the cause–effect relations among the associates to influence CE. Hence, calibration ofthe system can be achieved by identifying best CE practices, key performing associates(KPAs), benchmarking, testing, and training the system with different scenario generation.

Further, the complete architecture of the existing scenario of CE is another main con-tribution of this study. Proliferation of CE core principles in conjugation with its associatesseem to be trickling from macro to meso and micro levels. This may open a new areaof research trends to further inspect such transitions assisted by identified CE associates.Such studies may help to delineate their boundaries and practical handbook for CE imple-mentation across sectors and designing national policy/regulations for CE under a wideinstitutional context. Other avenues may include providing strategic planning to incum-bents and new entrants for balancing trade-offs from CE compliances with profitability inthe initial stages, thereby supporting green investments and financing in the long run tosustain profitability. The CE system architecture illustrated the interaction of all 49 asso-ciates of CE and their implications in one frame. The architecture depicts how to achieveSustainability using CE principles, applying R-imperatives, and the ReSOLVE frameworkin a consensus of government through favourable policies promoting waste elimination,innovation, technologies, and stakeholder collaborations (Figure 12). Hence, associateslike Product, System, Supply chain, Energy, Raw material, Resources, Waste at micro-levelrequire in-depth analysis to understand the significance of serving customers (with highutility) and their role for generating profitability. The acceptance with responsible be-haviour of customers’ needs to be implanted to develop a virtuous loop. It is imperative tosuccessfully establish CE initiatives in the firms not only from a dynamic business modelsview but also from innate environment, governance, and ownership organization.

The three associates—Raw Material, Resource, and Waste—explores resource effi-ciency, raw material productivity and waste management in an organization. A plethoraof research and development (R&D) and innovations are directed for conservative re-source mining, biodegradable raw material, new technologies, and waste managementto reduce carbon emissions and zero wastage. To enhance end-to-end value creation, agreen supply chain coupled with green energy is required by logically identifying andplanning actors’ and stakeholder’s engagement. At the intra-organizational level (beyondsectors/industry/regional/national level), new research and case studies may bring for-ward the role of innovation and underpinning policies in enabling development of theCE system architecture. Quantification of performance metrics may aid to validate theframework; hence, new insights are to be measured by new indices/tools at a micro level.

At the meso/micro level, the findings reveal more interesting associates with an em-phasis upon the ReSOLVE framework and R-strategies. However, research has exhibited aconsensus for both these categories of associates, as the former is almost a very novel asso-ciate, while the latter has a few established strategies and others less in practice. In-depthstudies may lead to another CE domain whereby the implications based on longitudinaldataset mining can open new research spaces. With the recent introduction of the Metaverseand the wide use of Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, etc., in newbusiness models and transactions, the ReSOLVE framework may offer novel contributions:particularly, with respect to the associates “Virtualize” (replacing physical products withvirtual and dematerialized ones, implying customer satisfaction) and “Exchange” (trans-


fer old and non-renewable produce into superior and renewable ones [113]). However,this scope is yet to receive substantial attention for executing the transformation process.Similarly, the associate “Refuse, Refill, Repurpose” lack traction from academics from theR-strategies list. The associate “Refuse” (denial usage of non-renewable items); “Refill”(using an existing storage box to stock an object); and lastly, “Repurpose” (using a productfor an alternate purpose) are catching the interest of commercial/social start-ups and en-trepreneurs to offer new value to informed customers. Though these customers are oftenfragmented and are concentrated in small pockets, serving them is tapping the Blue Oceanwith low competition and a reduced threat to profitability.

Before execution, further exploration from academicians and practitioners is expectedto strategize more significant as well as practical applicability across the globe. The refer-ence of the abovementioned currently insignificant associates implies that a few authorsexpressed their beliefs, so it has appeared during analysis with time that the significancemay be accomplished as well. All five most insignificant CE associates are relatively newintroductions. All propagators are expecting a worthwhile contribution from these asso-ciates soon because they see potential in those associates. So, new research may be plannedand executed on the abovementioned associates to remove the research gap.

One more fact that emerged out of the past ten years’ literature is the visibility ofthe application of principles of CE in a system and not in isolation. That signifies CE’sinclination towards industrial applications and practices. The emerging triggering pointfor industries seems to be the scarcity of resources for product development due to over-extraction and exploitation that directly impacted the business profit generation and margin.Hence, CE warned producers to explore alternatives, such as converting waste to wealthand pushing consumers for circular products or services for continuing business, but byadopting circular processes that include slowing, narrowing, and closing loops.

Therefore, the study is justified because of the usage of unique lenses to review thevast literature of CE, and getting into the depth of absolutely new findings by not onlyexploring the associates of CE but also finding their significances scores and generating acomprehensive framework for future direction.

6. Conclusions

The paper presents a comprehensive systematic literature review of CE by adopting arobust article-screening process from various databases. The study identified CE associates,comprehended the relations as well as interactions from the literature and definitions, aswell as generating a comprehensive architecture of CE associates’ interaction. No studyof CE to date has demonstrated such a review. The study establishes the contribution ofCE associates methodically from the existing vast literature of one decade by bridging theknowledge gap on CE associates and their relations in the current ecosystem. Multiplequantitative tools, algorithms, and software were applied, resulting in the appearance andportrayal of CE associates over time. The study is also novel because of the application of theunique Systematic Quantitative Literature Review method combining PRISMA guidelineswith 27-item checklist [114] as described in Supplementary Material and statistical tools aselaborated above in rational literature analysis. The research study facilitated generatingthe novel first-ever comprehensive architecture of CE with its associates. Thereby, a futureresearch agenda is proposed by the dynamic advancement of the topic.

The paper contributes to the CE theoretical and practical understanding by outliningthe CE associates progression, their connotation, architecture, and the current state of theart. Although research is in its nascent stage, the emerging research trends reflect thatCE enthusiasts across the globe are following R-strategy imperatives, ReSOLVE businessactions, and Sustainability pillars. Yet, the significance of the content of strategies, actions,and pillars varies with their actual application in literature and the ecosystem, focusingon environmental impacts, economic costs with energy harnessing, in comparison to themanagerial perspectives. Therefore, scholars need to contribute in this area by exploringfeasibility issues, decision-making practices, and the profitability of CE strategies. Ac-


cordingly, there is a need to theoretically examine the CE association phenomenon whileconcurrently advancing its diversity and system dynamics by scholars.

The study adds significant value to the existing list of vast literature on CE, and itcreates scope to explore CE with new lenses in some prominent ways, by adopting similarmethodologies focusing on analysing surveys, case studies, practitioners’ versus academics’perspectives, sectoral differentiations, multi-level associates interaction (Figure 12), empiri-cal research, exploring the most/least significant associates further and drawing inferencesaround those associates. There is a great potential in investigating the extent of models,framework implementation, longitudinal studies, and causality analysis. Moreover, thisresearch is an introductory initiative proposing levels of the CE associates system (i.e.,micro, meso, and macro); hence, new studies focused on the intersection and interdepen-dencies between levels may be undertaken to develop a universal eco-system. This calls formultiple stakeholder engagement, actors’ network, including units beyond companies andcustomers and an institutional role for CE transition. Hence, the impact of CE transition atthe managerial level, conflict, and change management would be motivating to investigate.

This research presents some practical implications, since it is the first study focused onthe concept of CE associates. It updates both business and policymakers about the currentknowledge of CE. The study provides a foundation for a roadmap and planning actions byreal-time decision-making towards scalable CE transition and implementation. Businessgoals can be better aligned with CE models in view of this study with a supportive legalframework and body. The framework for three levels—micro, meso, and macro—furtherindicates that organizations are neglecting the intersection of levels for CE tools and princi-ples execution. Designing strategic and business actions adjusting the internal requirementwill be guided by the emerged associates at three levels. Thus, organizations can focus onthe specific associates for CE transition and compliances effectively.

In conclusion, it may be stated that the study contributes to the knowledge of CEliterature in three dimensions. Firstly, the study identifies 49 CE associates based on anextensive literature review and their findings’ analysis (RQ1 & RQ2). Secondly, the studyshows the significance of those associates using qualitative and quantitative tools, andlater, illustrates the priority ranks for CE associates besides highlighting the unexploredassociates for research: viz., Repurpose and Virtualize (from the business action framework),Society (from the sustainability framework), Refill and Refuse (from the R-imperativestrategies) are unexplored (RQ3). Lastly, the study proposes a CE system architectureframework that has been conceptualized from the significance of identified CE associates,and maps critical interactions for successful CE implementation and sustainability (RQ4). Infuture, researchers can address the methodological limitations of the study by consideringother scientific contributions/journal articles and multiple languages for the study. Onemore important limitation that may also be addressed is consideration of a few pertinentassociates such as citizens, property, etc., that might have an influence on the diffusion ofCE in the system, but due to insufficient reflection or appearances of those associates in theconsidered decade’s articles, it did not emerge as a prominent associate during analysisand study. Lastly, future researchers can incorporate attributes of the PESTEL (Political,Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal) framework and restructure theCE architecture, and explore how CE would diffuse with the inclusion of such associates.So, the study has not only thrown light on the new avenues of research from the findingsof the current research study but also from the limitations.

Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/su14169998/s1, PRISMA 2020 Checklist from [114].

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, Methodology, Resources, Software, Data curation, For-mal Analysis, Writing—Original Draft Preparation, Visualization, Editing, and Investigation: A.G.Validation, Visualization, Supervision, Writing– Review and Editing: P.B. Supervision, and Review:U.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding: This research received no external funding.

https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/su14169998/s1

https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/su14169998/s1


Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.

Acknowledgments: Authors are thankful to domain experts for their valuable inputs. Authorswould like to express their gratitude to each anonymous reviewers and editor for providing theirinsightful comments and substantial feedback to significantly improve the quality of this manuscriptand further refine this work.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Name of Journal Abbreviation Name of Journal

BSE Business Strategy and the Environment JoIE Journal of Industrial Ecology

CJoMScTCIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science andTechnology

JoIPE Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering

ED Environmental Development JoMCWM Journal of Material Cycles and Waste ManagementEE Ecological Economics LE Local Economy

EISTEnvironmental Innovation and SocietalTransitions

OmUK Omega (United Kingdom)

EMS Environmental Modelling & Software Pa ParticuologyEng Energy PHG Progress in Human Geography

Fut Futures PToTRSMPEScPhilosophical Transactions of The Royal Society AMathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences

IJoPE International Journal of Production Economics ReCR Resources Conservation and RecyclingIJPoR International Journal of Production Research Re Resources

IJoSDWEInternational Journal of SustainableDevelopment & World Ecology

RSER Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

JoBE Journal of Business Ethics SS Sustainability (Switzerland)JoCP Journal of Cleaner Production TFSC Technological Forecasting & Social ChangeJoEM Journal of Environmental Management WM Waste Management

Appendix A



Appendix A

Figure A1. Google trend search for sustainability as of 9 January 2020 (1 January 2010 to 31 Decem-

ber 2019) (Unit: Millions of searches per year).

Figure A2. Google trend search for Circular Economy as of 9 January 2020 (1 January 2010 to 31

December 2019) (Unit: Millions of searches per year).

Figure A1. Google trend search for sustainability as of 9 January 2020 (1 January 2010 to31 December 2019) (Unit: Millions of searches per year).




Appendix A

Figure A1. Google trend search for sustainability as of 9 January 2020 (1 January 2010 to 31 Decem-

ber 2019) (Unit: Millions of searches per year).

Figure A2. Google trend search for Circular Economy as of 9 January 2020 (1 January 2010 to 31

December 2019) (Unit: Millions of searches per year). Figure A2. Google trend search for Circular Economy as of 9 January 2020 (1 January 2010 to31 December 2019) (Unit: Millions of searches per year).



Figure A3. Article screening rationale for SQLR with reference to citation and journals.

Table A1. Identification of 49 keywords or Associates of CE.

List of Keywords The Word, Other Allied and Associated Words

Sustainability Pil-

lar

Sustainable Sustainable, Sustainability, Sustainable Development Goal, SDG

Society

Society, Social, Societal, Culture, Access, Community, Corporate Social Respon-

sibility (CSR), Tradition, Job, Employment, Recruitment, Wellbeing, Equality,

People

Economy Profit, Growth, Development, Consumption, Production, and Gross Domestic

Product (GDP), National Income

Environment

Environment, Environmental, Climate, Weather, Planet, Carbon, Footprint,

Ecology, Eco, Ecosystem, Global Warming, Emission, Organic, Biodegradable,

Biology, Pollution, Natural, Nature, Conserve, Green House Gas (GHG), Pre-

serve, Anaerobic

List of Keywords Allied and Similar Words

Other Similar

Keywords (Part

of Business

Model Canvas,

Other R-impera-

tive, Influencers,

and Regulation

and Standardiza-

tion)

Barrier Barrier, Challenge, Difficult, Hinder, Negative

Behaviour Behaviour, Habit, Customer Behaviour, Leader, Nudge, Steward, Decision

Business

Business, Business Management, Circular Business Model, Lease, Rent, Share,

Business Model Canvas, Start-up, Value Chain, Value Proposition, Enterprise,

Company, Corporate, Fund, Producer, Consumer, Cost, Investment, Market,

Gain, Loss, Solution, Competition, Resale, Similar Words

Collaborate Collaborate, Partnership, Joint

Countries Country, America, Brazil, China, Japan, Europe, Korea, Switzerland, Germany,

India

Design Design, Cradle, Process Design, Product Design, Cradle to Cradle

Driver Driver, Enabler, Positive, Scope, Hope, Opportunity, Positive

Energy Energy, Renewable, Biomass, Solar, Hydro

Government Government, Govern, Governance, Governmental

Implementation Implementation, Meso, Micro, Macro, Local, Global

Industry

Industrial, Symbiosis, Agriculture, Chemical, Construction, Education, Electri-

cal, Electronics, Fashion, Food, Water, Glass, Rubber, Plastic, Package, Wood,

Transport, Tourism, Operation, Health, Similar Words

Infrastructure Infrastructure, Infrastructural, Private and Public Infrastructure

Innovation Innovation, Disruptive Innovation, Frugal Innovation, Job to Be Done Theory,

Nudge Theory, Radical

Figure A3. Article screening rationale for SQLR with reference to citation and journals.

Table A1. Identification of 49 keywords or Associates of CE.


Sustainability Pillar

Sustainable Sustainable, Sustainability, Sustainable Development Goal, SDG

SocietySociety, Social, Societal, Culture, Access, Community, Corporate Social

Responsibility (CSR), Tradition, Job, Employment, Recruitment,Wellbeing, Equality, People

Economy Profit, Growth, Development, Consumption, Production, and GrossDomestic Product (GDP), National Income

Environment

Environment, Environmental, Climate, Weather, Planet, Carbon,Footprint, Ecology, Eco, Ecosystem, Global Warming, Emission, Organic,

Biodegradable, Biology, Pollution, Natural, Nature, Conserve, GreenHouse Gas (GHG), Preserve, Anaerobic

List of Keywords Allied and Similar Words


Table A1. Cont.


Other Similar Keywords (Part of BusinessModel Canvas, Other R-imperative,

Influencers, and Regulationand Standardization)

Barrier Barrier, Challenge, Difficult, Hinder, NegativeBehaviour Behaviour, Habit, Customer Behaviour, Leader, Nudge, Steward, Decision

Business

Business, Business Management, Circular Business Model, Lease, Rent,Share, Business Model Canvas, Start-up, Value Chain, Value Proposition,

Enterprise, Company, Corporate, Fund, Producer, Consumer, Cost,Investment, Market, Gain, Loss, Solution, Competition, Resale,

Similar WordsCollaborate Collaborate, Partnership, Joint

Countries Country, America, Brazil, China, Japan, Europe, Korea, Switzerland,Germany, India

Design Design, Cradle, Process Design, Product Design, Cradle to CradleDriver Driver, Enabler, Positive, Scope, Hope, Opportunity, PositiveEnergy Energy, Renewable, Biomass, Solar, Hydro

Government Government, Govern, Governance, GovernmentalImplementation Implementation, Meso, Micro, Macro, Local, Global

IndustryIndustrial, Symbiosis, Agriculture, Chemical, Construction, Education,

Electrical, Electronics, Fashion, Food, Water, Glass, Rubber, Plastic,Package, Wood, Transport, Tourism, Operation, Health, Similar Words

Infrastructure Infrastructure, Infrastructural, Private and Public Infrastructure

Innovation Innovation, Disruptive Innovation, Frugal Innovation, Job to Be DoneTheory, Nudge Theory, Radical

Institute Institute, Bank, Educational Institute, Institution, OrganizationLife Cycle Lifecycle

Measurement Measure, Assess, Indicator, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material FlowAnalysis (MFA), Efficiency, Impact, Perform, Rate, Ratio, Allied Words

Policy Policy, Act, Law, Legal, RegulationPrinciple Principle, Fundamental

Product Product, Durable, Longevity, Goods, Product Service System,Maintenance, Price, Other Allied Words

Raw Material Raw MaterialRefill Refill, Refillable

Replace Replace, Replacing, and ReplacementResource Resource, ResourcesReturn Return, Returning

Risk Risk, Uncertain, Uncertainty, Shock, and InsuranceSupply Chain Supply Chain, SC, Reverse Logistic

System System, SystematicTechnology Technology, Tech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT),

Automation, Big Data

Waste Waste, Garbage, Waste Management, Collection, Disposal, E-Waste,Segregation, Landfill

List of Keywords The Word, Other Allied and Similar Words

10 R Framework (R-imperatives)

Recycle Recycle, Recycled, Recyclability, RecyclingRefuse Refuse, Refusal, DenyRethink Rethink, RethinkingReduce Reduce, Reduction, ReducedReuse Reuse, ReusedRepair Repair, Repaired, Repairing

Refurbish Refurbish, Refurbished, RefurbishmentRemanufacture Remanufacture, Remanufacturing

Repurpose Repurpose, RepurposingRecover Recover, Recovery

List of Keywords The Word, Other Allied and Similar Words

ReSOLVE Framework

Regenerate Regenerate, Regeneration, RegenerativeShare Share, Sharing

Optimize Optimize, Optimization, OptimalLoop Loop, Close, Slow, Narrow, Dematerialize, Intensify

Virtualize Virtualize, Internet, Online, VirtualExchange Exchange, Exchanged

Table A2. Abbreviations used in the manuscript.

Abbreviation Full Form Abbreviation Full Form

ANOVA Analysis of Variance PRISMA Preferred Reporting Items for SystematicReviews and Meta-Analyses

CBM Circular Business Model SC Supply ChainCE Circular Economy SCI Sustainable Circular Index

CSCM Circular Supply Chain Management SD Sustainable DevelopmentEMF Ellen MacArthur Foundation SDG Sustainable Development GoalsGDP Gross Domestic Product SLR Systematic Literature ReviewGRI Global Reporting Initiative SQLR Systematic Quantitative Literature ReviewLCA Life Cycle assessment TBL Triple Bottom LineMFA Material Flow Analysis WAPR Weighted Average Priority RankingNDF Normalize Definition Frequency WoS Web of ScienceNDO Normalize Definition Occurrence UN United Nation


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