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This study investigates the interplay between digital technology and the circular economy (CE) within supply chain management through theoretical lenses. We conduct a systematic literature review to explore the theoretical underpinnings at the intersection of digital technology and CE. We determine the dominant theories and how they relate within a broader ecosystem. We further outline the promising avenues and topics for future research to foster the understanding and application of joint adoption of digital technology and CE. Contributing to the existing literature, this study develops a three-level framework (micro, meso, macro) enriched with a multi-stakeholder perspective to present in-depth insights into the interplay between digital technology and CE from theoretical viewpoints. Our proposed framework synthesizes 39 distinct theories, employed in literature to examine the dynamics between digital technology and CE, and categorizes them into five key areas: motivators, enablers, synergy, external environmental context, and multi-level stakeholders. Leveraging this framework, several research propositions, each grounded in one of the identified categories, are proposed to further explore this domain. This paper advances the theoretical discourse in the interplay between digital technology and CE and provides theoretical and practical implications for both scholars and practitioners. 

Environmental challenges and increasing resource consumption may be mitigated through organizational circular economy (CE) practices. Implementing CE practices requires organizations to rethink, develop, and implement new initiatives and processes. It has been argued that blockchain technology (BCT) can support corporate and supply chain CE practices. However, empirical evidence on whether BCT adoption can complement corporate CE practices when considering firm financial performance is virtually non-existent. Using the resource-based view and a dataset of 1766 firm-year observations of Chinese listed companies, we investigate the relationship between corporate CE practices and financial performance, as well as the moderating effect of BCT adoption. Initial findings reveal a significantly positive relationship between corporate CE practices and financial performance. However, counterintuitively, BCT adoption not only directly negatively relates to firm financial performance but also weakens the positive relationship between CE practices and financial performance. Further analysis found that these direct and indirect negative effects of BCT adoption are only observed in resource-constrained firms, supporting our argument from a resource scarcity perspective. This study provides new insights into the nuanced relationship among CE practices, BCT adoption, and financial performance from the resource-based view. These insights provide new and valuable guidance for researchers and practitioners. 

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) circular supply chains (CSCs) present unique safety challenges among operation processes. Blockchain technology can be a promising solution for addressing these challenges, by enabling effective tracking and verification of safety-related information throughout the supply chain. However, how blockchain can mitigate safety issues from a supply chain perspective is poorly understood. This study proposes a theory-supported framework through intervention-based research (IBR) to provide guidance for LIB CSC safety management. The conceptual framework and theoretical propositions set the foundation for research on a comprehensive blockchain ecosystem specifically designed for CSC safety management. The framework includes the design of a blockchain architecture with capabilities tailored to address safety concerns, the involvement of multiple stakeholders, and the development of a safety measurement matrix. This study suggests research and practical directions which lay the groundwork for leveraging blockchain technology to improve safety management in LIB CSC. This research contributes to sustainable supply chains by proposing a conceptual framework for mitigating safety concerns in LIB CSC, paving the way for effective blockchain implementation. In addition, this study contributes to advancing the theoretical design understanding and application of blockchain technology in CSC safety management. 

This study examines the resilience and sustainability of supply chains amid global disruptions, with a particular focus on the essential role of reverse logistics. Through a game-theoretic approach, we explore manufacturer decisions to source from either reliable but expensive raw materials or cost-effective yet riskier recycled or recyclable materials from the reverse logistics channel. Our analysis outlines three primary sourcing strategies: sourcing exclusively from suppliers (SS), sourcing solely through retailer reverse channel (RS), and a balanced dual sourcing (DS) approach. Our findings reveal the economic viability that recycling outsourcing is influenced by market demand and disruption risks. Notably, in scenarios of constrained market potential, the cost advantage of using recycled materials from less reliable reverse logistics channels surpasses the risks associated with supply chain disruptions, suggesting a complex cost-benefit landscape amidst supply uncertainties. Moreover, the stability of suppliers emerges as a pivotal factor in strategic sourcing decisions, underscoring the need to consider both economic efficiencies and supply reliability. The study also evaluates the dynamic competition between manufacturers and retailers, shedding light on how strategic adjustments driven by sustainability and resilience goals can enhance profitability and sustainability. It was found that despite the threat of disruptions, manufacturers benefit more from engaging with risky reverse channels under specific conditions, underscoring the nuanced decision-making required in uncertain supply scenarios. This research advances sustainable supply chain management by highlighting strategic complexities and the need for understanding economic efficiencies and supply stability, offering insights for navigating disruptions and fostering resilient, sustainable supply chains. 

Circular economy-based investments remain modest when compared to sustainability investments. Private investors interested in the circular economy currently have limited choices. To advance the transition to a circular economy, understanding private funding motivation, options, and outcomes are research directions that need to be pursued. Interdisciplinary researchers from environmental sustainability, ecological economics, and finance communities are urged to explore private financing options for the circular economy. 

The circular economy (CE) seeks to maintain products and materials at their highest utility and value. The organisational and governmental policy have seised onto the CE philosophy to advance socio-economic and environmental development. CE remains an essentially contested concept – making its utilisation as a foundation for managerial and policy decisions challenging. Circularity assessment has not been systematically adopted, especially within supply chain management. Using critical scholarly and practical evidential foundation, we proposed a comprehensive set of metrics that can be utilised in supplier selection, monitoring, and development for circularity. These metrics include the macro, meso, and micro levels. A group decision-making method integrating best-worst method (BWM), regret theory (RT), and dual hesitant fuzzy sets (DHFS) for circular economy and circularity (CEC) supplier evaluation and selection is introduced – providing instrumental value for the identified metrics typology. The proposed BWM-DHFE-RT integrative analytical method can accommodate decisionmaker psychological behavior under uncertainty while simultaneously capturing divergent or conflicting opinions of different decision-makers. An illustrative business scenario is utilized to demonstrate the application of the proposed method. Though the proposed CE performance metrics and methodology are used for CEC supplier management reasons they have broader applicability. Future research and application directions are discussed. 

Purpose In the buyer-supplier relationship of a high-technology enterprise, the concepts of trust and risk are closely intertwined. Entering into a buyer-supplier relationship inherently involves a degree of risk, since there is always an opportunity for one of the parties to act opportunistically. Purchasing and supply managers play an important role in reducing the firm's risk profile, and must make decisions about whether or not to enter into, or remain in, a relationship with a supplier based on a subjective assessment of trust and risk. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors seek to explore how trust in the buyer-supplier relationship can be quantitatively modeled in the presence of risk. The authors develop a model of trust between a buyer and supplier as a risk-based decision, in which a buyer decides to place trust in a supplier, who may either act cooperatively or opportunistically. The authors use a case study of intellectual property (IP) piracy in the electronics industry to illustrate the conceptual discussion and model development. Findings The authors produce a generalizable model that can be used to aid in decision-making and risk analysis for potential supply-chain partnerships, and is both a theoretical and practical innovation. However, the model can benefit a variety of high-technology enterprises. Originality/value While the topic of trust is widely discussed, few studies have attempted to derive a quantitative model to support trust-based decision making. This paper advanced the field of supply chain management by developing a model which relates risk and trust in the buyer-supplier relationship.