Sustainable Production Management in Circular Economy Supply Chains

Abstract

The transition to circular economy (CE) principles represents a critical challenge for sustainable industrial development. This study investigates the implementation and effectiveness of sustainable production management strategies within CE-based supply chains, aiming to develop a comprehensive framework for successful integration. A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative sustainability metrics from 100 manufacturing companies with qualitative case studies of 10 industry leaders through systematic data cross-validation. Data collection spanned 24 months (2022-2023), measuring resource utilization, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and economic performance. Analysis included statistical evaluation of performance metrics and thematic analysis of implementation factors. Companies implementing CE principles demonstrated significant improvements, including 24.6% reduction in raw material consumption, 31.8% decrease in waste generation, and 27.5% reduction in carbon emissions. Economic benefits included a 12.4% increase in profitability and 22.3% return on investment. Leadership commitment (92%) and stakeholder engagement (88%) emerged as critical success factors, while technical barriers presented the most significant challenges (severity score 4.2/5.0). Sustainable production management in CE supply chains yields substantial environmental and economic benefits. 

Article history: Received (November 6, 2024); Revised (March 11, 2025); Accepted (April 9, 2025); Published online (May 5, 2025)