Towards circular supply chains: drivers and mechanisms to support the transition – Examining the roles of institutional pressures and of supply chain integration on the adoption of circular economy practices in supply chains

This thesis investigates the drivers and the supply chain mechanisms of the adoption of Circular Economy (CE) practices. Drawing on institutional theory, the research proposes a conceptual model wherein institutional pressures and supply chain integration influence CE adoption. Through an exploratory mixed-methods approach, the thesis first challenges the conceptual framework via a Delphi-like study with experts and practitioners, and then tests it on 150 MNEs from the Global Fortune 500 list. Findings reveal a hierarchy of institutional pressures, with coercive and normative pressures significantly impacting the adoption of CE practices. Supply chain integration mediates the relationship between some institutional pressures and CE adoption, while also revealing its potential to hinder radical CE approaches. Key contributions include bridging theories from sustainable supply chain management and circular supply chain management, clarifying the role of supply chain integration, and introducing advanced coding techniques for analysing sustainability reports. Overall, the thesis advances understanding of the adoption of CE practices in supply chains, offering insights for both theory and practice in sustainable supply chain management.