The Digital–Circular Economy Nexus in Supply Chains: Trends, Themes, and Insights from a Scientometric Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23055/ijietap.2026.33.5.11687Keywords:
Digitalization . Circular Economy. Sustainable Supply chain management. Scientometric approach. Thematic analysisAbstract
The growing urgency for sustainability in global supply chains, spurred by increasing demand, environmental degradation, and resource scarcity, has intensified academic and industrial focus on adopting circular economy (CE) principles. Recently, digital technologies have become key enablers of this shift, facilitating improved supply chain resilience, efficiency, and environmental outcomes. This study addresses a critical gap in the literature by systematically exploring the convergence of digitalization, supply chain management, and the circular economy. A scientometric analysis of 628 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025 offers a comprehensive mapping of the intellectual structure and evolution of knowledge in this field. The findings reveal a marked acceleration in publication volume in 2025 compared with previous years, particularly in journals focusing on environmental sustainability and technological innovation. Citation and network analyzes indicate that China dominates research output, whereas the United Kingdom and India exhibit higher citation impact, reflecting their intellectual prominence in the field. Content analysis reveals four core thematic clusters: the technological influence of digital tools such as blockchain, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and machine learning; strategic approaches to strengthening supply chain resilience; emerging opportunities and innovation potential; and real-world industrial deployment across various sectors. These themes collectively underscore a growing scholarly consensus on the integrative role of digital technologies in advancing circular economy goals within supply chain systems. By tracing the evolution of research and highlighting key authors, journals, and thematic trends, this study offers critical insights for both academia and industry. This study is grounded in Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), which explains how organizations purposefully identify opportunities, seize them, and reconfigure resources to sustain competitive advantage. It provides a strategic foundation for practitioners to evaluate digital maturity and align technological adoption with circular-economy objectives. Ultimately, this study highlights the transformative role of digitalization in integrating circular principles into global supply chains, offering deeper insights into sustainable value creation in the digital era.
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