Towards social network metrics for supply network circularity

Leonardo Marques (1) , Marina Dastre Manzanares (2)

1 Audencia Business School
2 UFRJ - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro [Brasil] = Federal University of Rio de Janeiro [Brazil] = Université fédérale de Rio de Janeiro [Brésil]

Purpose Despite the systemic nature of circular economy (CE), theorisation that draws from a supply network perspective is only incipient. Moreover, the operations and supply chain management (OSCM) field has engaged in little dialogue with circularity. This study explores social network analysis (SNA) to depict how the shift from linear to circular not only leads to higher rates of resource economy, repair and recycle but also reshapes governance dynamics and network structure of supply networks. Design/methodology/approach The study departs from a systematic review of the literature and draws from core concepts in OSCM, CE and SNA to offer theoretical propositions that articulate how social network metrics can depict supply network circularity. The framework is illustrated with examples from fashion and electronics industries. Findings Four theoretical propositions enlighten how betweenness centrality, eigenvector centrality and network density can explain the shift from linear to circular supply networks across the three CE strategies of narrowing, slowing and closing. Originality/value The combination of biomimicry, CE, the push–pull dichotomy and social network metrics offer a theory-driven framework for supply network circularity.

Mots clés: Circularity; Circular economy; Supply network; Governance; Social network analysis; Theory development; Circular economy supply network governance social network analysis theory development; supply network; governance; social network analysis; theory development

Domaines: Gestion et management

Leonardo Marques, Marina Dastre Manzanares. Towards social network metrics for supply network circularity. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 2022, 43 (4), pp.595-618. ⟨10.1108/IJOPM-02-2022-0139⟩. ⟨hal-04048361⟩