SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT | 50 Figure 4: Circular Ecosystem Mapping Framework 4. Leveraging digital technologies in circular supply chain ecosystems – promoting repair, remanufacture and resell In collaboration with industry partners, we have developed an approach to inform circular supply network transformation strategies to support implementations beyond incremental sustainability improvements. This approach focuses on the entire life cycle of products, emphasising activities such as repair, Source: Rossi, L. & Srai, J.S.,2024, ‘The role of digital technologies in remanufacturing and reselling to maximise resource con昀椀guring circular ecosystems’, Int. J. Oper. Prod. Manag. https://doi. use and minimise the generation of waste. The heart of org/10.1108/IJOPM-12-2023-0973/ this initiative explores the role that digital technologies Do the numbers add up? Ensuring robustness in can play in circular ecosystems. The approach enables redesign strategies organisations to visualise and manage the intricate Our centre bridges the gap between data modelling web of resource exchanges – material, 昀椀nancial and experts and those focused on strategic, operational and informational – between supply network and ecosystem system-level perspectives. To ensure the robustness of actors. our approaches, we have developed a range of tools to Unlike traditional linear supply chains, circular supply quantitatively evaluate various aspects of sustainability chains are characterised by multiple usage cycles interventions. These modelling tools analyse scenarios for and reverse logistics for reprocessing. Consequently, raw material sourcing, alternative production processes, recovering products at the end of their life cycle location footprint implications and inventory management, is paramount to fostering circular and sustainable complementing our strategy-level frameworks. business models. This newly developed method identi昀椀es key intermediaries that facilitate material exchanges and manage the essential information 昀氀ows Want to know more? required for circular operations. Crucially, it maps out stock and resource 昀氀ows, ensuring the e昀케cient At the Centre for International Manufacturing, we operation of the entire system. By highlighting these work closely with industry to develop research interactions, the method uncovers opportunities into practical solutions. We are always looking for implementing digital technologies, advanced to expand our network of industrial partners to production techniques and organisational changes advance research and develop manufacturing that promote circularity. For instance, the concept of solutions for the future. “circularity brokers” emerges – individuals, entities, or digital platforms that connect materials and products For further information about research and after their use cycle with the demand side to maintain collaboration opportunities with the Centre for the 昀氀ow of materials within the circular economy. International Manufacturing, please contact: Jagjit Singh Srai ([email protected]). This approach illustrates how digital technologies You can also read: can support the design of sustainable supply chain Srai, J. S., Alinaghian, L. S. and Kirkwood, D. A. (2013). Understanding sustainable ecosystems, o昀昀ering practical solutions for businesses supply network capabilities of multinationals: A capability maturity model approach. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B. Journal of Engineering committed to reducing their environmental impact and Manufacture, 227(4): 595–615. enhancing their operational resilience. Srai, J. S., Tsolakis, N., Kumar and Bam (2018). Circular supply chains and renewable chemical feedstocks: a network con昀椀guration analysis framework. Production Planning & Control, 29(6): 464–482. DOI: 10.1080/09537287.2018.1449263 Srai, J. S., Joglekar, N., Tsolakis, N. and Kapur, S. (2022). Interplay between competing and coexisting policy regimens within supply chain con昀椀gurations. Production and Operations Management, 31(2): 457–477. Rossi, L.A., Srai, J.S., 2024. The role of digital technologies in con昀椀guring circular ecosystems. Int. J. Oper. Prod. Manag. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-12-2023-0973