Supply chain management strategies, types and tactics for circular economy transitions

Circular economy has gained attention in literature. Its enormous complexity and comprehensiveness branch from several disciplines, demanding multi-level efforts and studies for efficient and effective implementation. Therefore, it arguably remains a vast concept. Numerous definitions involve postconsumption product return, which is highly connected to different supply chains types. However, this connection has received limited attention. Aiming to fill this theoretical gap, in this manuscript we review the academic literature studying circular economy transitions through supply chain management strategy, types and tactics. We conduct a systematic literature review bridging content and descriptive statistical analysis of research published in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Our findings suggest that supply chain types most connected to circular economy are closed-loop, reverse, sustainable, open-loop, and circular supply chains resulting in circular economy supply network. Furthermore, we propose a supply chain management strategy framework that combine four groups: collaboration and systemic effectiveness management, circular business model and circular ecosystem management. Explaining that, nonlinear supply chains seem to have a more sophisticated management, incorporating more agents and levels (multi-tier supply chains) integrating supply chain, ecosystem and business model management. Finally, we suggest a set of supply chains strategies, types and tactics by industry and country. This research contributes to both literature and practice by broadening the understanding of the challenges involved in transitions to circular economy and how it is related to supply chain management.