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This special issue explores how digital technologies catalyze value creation in circular economy systems by transforming business models, enhancing resource efficiency, and enabling systemic sustainability.
List of Topic Areas
Data-Driven Circular Performance and Decision-Making
The ability to measure, monitor, and optimize CE activities is crucial for enhancing value creation. Digital technologies such as IoT sensors, AI-based analytics, and blockchain-enabled traceability can provide real-time insights that improve efficiency and sustainability.
Research under this theme may address:
- How do real-time data and predictive analytics optimize material flows and resource efficiency in circular production systems?
- What are the key enablers and barriers to using digital product passports for CE value chains?
- How can AI-driven decision-making enhance remanufacturing, reverse logistics, and secondary market efficiency?
Synergy of Multiple Digital Technologies for Circular Economy
Most studies focus on individual technologies, but real-world CE solutions often require integrated digital ecosystems. This theme explores how different digital technologies interact and complement each other in enabling circular value.
Potential research questions include:
- How do hybrid digital solutions (e.g., blockchain + IoT + AI) improve multi-tier circular supply chain performance?
- What are the cost-benefit trade-offs in deploying combinatorial digital technologies for CE?
- How do digital twins facilitate adaptive, circular manufacturing and industrial symbiosis?
Circular Business Ecosystems and Digital Platforms
CE is increasingly being driven by platform-based business models, where digital networks facilitate resource exchange, product lifecycle management, and new market creation. This theme invites research that examines the role of digital platforms in orchestrating CE ecosystems.
Questions may include:
- How do digital platforms facilitate circular business models such as sharing, leasing, and product-as-a-service?
- What governance mechanisms ensure trust and participation in platform-based CE networks?
- How do digital platforms influence consumer behavior and engagement in CE practices?
Human and Organizational Dimensions of Digital Circular Transitions
The adoption of digital-CE solutions is not purely technological but requires organizational change, skill development, and stakeholder buy-in. This theme explores the human factors that influence the successful adoption and long-term viability of digital circular practices.
Suggested topics include:
- What new competencies and workforce skills are required to manage digital-enabled CE transformations
- How do organizational structures and cultures adapt to digital circular strategies?
- How do digital engagement tools (e.g., gamification, nudging) influence consumer participation in circular economy initiatives?
Economic Viability and Policy Implications of Digital-Enabled Circular Economy
For digital technologies to be widely adopted in CE, their economic and policy implications must be well understood. This theme invites contributions that analyze the financial, regulatory, and incentive structures that support or hinder digital circular innovation.
Key questions include:
- What are the financial and investment implications of digital transformation in CE business models?
- How do regulatory frameworks influence the adoption and scaling of digital CE solutions?
- What role do economic incentives (e.g., carbon credits, digital taxation) play in fostering digital circular ecosystems?
Guest Editors
Umair Tanveer, University of Exeter, [email protected]
Stefan Seuring, Germany, [email protected]
Submissions Information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Author guidelines must be strictly followed.
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key Deadlines
Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 31st June 2026
Closing date for manuscripts submission: 30th September 2026
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