Circular Economy in the Context of Smart Technologies: A Qualitative Analysis of Innovation, Governance, and Sustainability Themes
Keywords:
Circular economy, Smart technologies, Sustainability, Technological innovation, Data-driven governanceAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to identify and explain the key dimensions of the circular economy within the context of smart technologies, focusing on technological innovation, data-driven governance, and value chain sustainability.
Methods and Materials: This qualitative study employed a thematic analysis approach. Data were collected through a systematic literature review of 12 selected articles from Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Articles were chosen based on their scientific credibility, thematic relevance, and publication recency. Data were analyzed using NVivo 14 software through three coding stages—open, axial, and selective coding—and continued until theoretical saturation was achieved.
Findings: The results revealed three main themes as the foundational pillars of the circular economy in smart technology environments: technological innovation, smart governance, and sustainable value chains. In the innovation dimension, technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, and blockchain play a crucial role in process optimization, waste reduction, and transparency enhancement. The governance dimension highlighted data-driven policymaking, green regulations, and multi-sectoral collaborations as key enablers. In the sustainability domain, product life-cycle design, reverse logistics, and sharing-based business models emerged as the most significant components.
Conclusion: The circular economy within smart technology contexts succeeds only when technological innovation is integrated with smart, data-driven governance and sustainability-oriented policymaking. Digital technologies enhance transparency, efficiency, and long-term economic and environmental resilience. The findings provide practical insights for policymakers and industry leaders to design effective frameworks for sustainable development.
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References
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