Purpose

This study advocates the importance of taking an evolutionary perspective in the strategic configuration of closed-loop supply chains (CLSC) in the transition to a circular economy. Building on the supply chain management and industrial dynamics research domains, an evolutionary analytical framework was developed and applied in the empirical context of the ongoing industrial transition to e-mobility.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is designed as an in-depth exploratory case study to capture the multi-layer dynamic complexities and their interplay in CSLC development. The empirical investigation was based on two-year interactions between the authors and various departments in a leading European heavy vehicle manufacturer. The proposed evolutionary analytical framework was used for investigating the dynamics of four CLSC configurations through ten possible trajectories.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that the evolution of each CLSC configuration comes with multiple challenges and requirements and point out the necessity for the co-development of technologies, product design and production, and infrastructure through long-term relationships among key supply chain actors. However, this evolutionary journey is associated with multiple dilemmas caused by uncertainties in the market and technology developments. All these factors were properly captured and critically analyzed, along with their interactions, thanks to the constructs included in the proposed evolutionary analytical framework.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed evolutionary framework is applicable for examination of SC transformation in the context of market and technology development, and is particularly relevant for transitioning from linear SC to CLSC. The framework offers a single actor perspective, as it does not directly tackle dynamics and effects of actions taken by SC actors.

Practical implications

The developed framework can support SC managers in identifying, framing, and comparing alternative strategies for CLSC configuration in the transition process.

Originality/value

This study proposes the framework for understanding and guiding the evolutionary process of CLSC development. Its uniqueness lies in the integration of concepts from innovation and evolutionary theories coming from industrial dynamics and SCM literature streams.

中文翻译：

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电动汽车电池循环经济转型中的战略闭环供应链配置：演化分析框架

目的

本研究主张在向循环经济转型的过程中，在闭环供应链（CLSC）战略配置中采取进化视角的重要性。以供应链管理和工业动态研究领域为基础，开发了一个演化分析框架，并在持续的工业向电动汽车转型的经验背景下应用。

设计/方法论/途径

本研究旨在作为深入的探索性案例研究，以捕捉 CSLC 开发中的多层动态复杂性及其相互作用。这项实证调查基于作者与欧洲一家领先的重型汽车制造商的各个部门之间为期两年的互动。所提出的进化分析框架用于通过十种可能的轨迹研究四种 CLSC 配置的动力学。

发现

研究结果表明，每种 CLSC 配置的演变都伴随着多重挑战和要求，并指出通过关键供应链参与者之间的长期关系共同开发技术、产品设计和生产以及基础设施的必要性。然而，这一进化之旅伴随着市场和技术发展的不确定性所带来的多重困境。由于所提出的进化分析框架中包含的结构，所有这些因素及其相互作用都得到了正确的捕捉和批判性分析。

研究局限性/影响

所提出的演化框架适用于在市场和技术发展背景下检验供应链转型，尤其与从线性供应链向 CLSC 的转型相关。该框架提供了单一参与者的视角，因为它不直接处理 SC 参与者所采取行动的动态和影响。

实际影响

开发的框架可以支持 SC 管理者在过渡过程中识别、制定和比较 CLSC 配置的替代策略。

原创性/价值

本研究提出了理解和指导 CLSC 发展演变过程的框架。其独特之处在于融合了来自工业动态和供应链管理文献流的创新和进化理论的概念。