Exploring the determinants in circular supply chain implementation in the Nigerian manufacturing industry

Abstract

Recently, the concept of circular supply chain has gained huge popularity as a suitable means to accomplish efficient resource utilization for ultimate supply chain sustainability. However, studies are scarce that provide insight on how manufacturing firms particularly in emerging countries like Nigeria can facilitate circular supply chain implementation for expected performance gains. To fill this gap, this study proposes a robust methodology based on Best- Worst-Method (BWM) and Evaluation Based on Distance to Average Solution (EDAS) to investigate the enablers of circular supply chain decisions in the Nigerian manufacturing sector. The current study is a pioneering effort in the extant literature on the utilization of BWM-EDAS in the study of circular supply chain implementation especially in the manufacturing sector from the managers' perspectives in an emerging economy- Nigeria. The findings indicate that supplier relationship development, periodic environmental audits and positive consumer attitude are the most critical enablers of implementing circular supply chain in the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, the study results highlight the low relative importance of manufacturing firms’ financial strength during the adoption of circular economy strategies in their supply chains, thereby suggesting that circular supply chains can be implemented in financially constrained firms. Hence, this study presents relevant constructs that serve as guidelines to managers and policy makers on circular supply chain implementation in manufacturing firms and thereby enriches literature on the circularity concept.