Circular economy implementation in the electronics sector: a systematic literature review and future research directions

The circular economy (CE) aims to reduce, reuse, recycle, remanufacture, redesign and recover products for resource optimization, leading to long-term sustainability. The electronics sector (ES), characterised by increasing e-waste, resource scarcity and operational risks, is transitioning towards C...

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Main Authors: Harsahib Singh, Rashmi Aggarwal, Poonam Garg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Business & Management
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2509794
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author Harsahib Singh
Rashmi Aggarwal
Poonam Garg
author_facet Harsahib Singh
Rashmi Aggarwal
Poonam Garg
author_sort Harsahib Singh
collection DOAJ
description The circular economy (CE) aims to reduce, reuse, recycle, remanufacture, redesign and recover products for resource optimization, leading to long-term sustainability. The electronics sector (ES), characterised by increasing e-waste, resource scarcity and operational risks, is transitioning towards CE. The existing studies on CE implementation remain fragmented and lack a comprehensive framework guiding circularity initiatives in the ES. The current study addresses this gap by developing an integrated conceptual framework that synthesises existing knowledge on models, perceived benefits and challenges of CE implementation in the ES. It included a systematic literature review of relevant journal articles, white papers and industry reports identified using keywords shortlisted in consultation with industry experts. The methodological approach used in this study included descriptive, content and thematic analyses of the literature to create an integrated conceptual framework. Findings reveal that while CE research in the ES is expanding, it remains predominantly qualitative and exploratory, lacking confirmatory empirical studies. The proposed framework integrates antecedents, mediators, moderators and consequences of CE implementation, offering a structured approach for scaling circularity. Further, the study identifies future research directions using the theory, context, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) framework, providing valuable insights for both theoretical development and empirical research in the domain.
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spelling doaj-art-e4b3fa71ca2d4284bc54b97c9c32cf4b2025-08-20T02:05:28ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Business & Management2331-19752025-12-0112110.1080/23311975.2025.2509794Circular economy implementation in the electronics sector: a systematic literature review and future research directionsHarsahib Singh0Rashmi Aggarwal1Poonam Garg2Department of Strategy Management, Entrepreneurship, and International Business, School of Management and Entrepreneurship, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, IndiaDepartment of Strategy Management, Entrepreneurship, and International Business, School of Management and Entrepreneurship, Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, IndiaDepartment of Information Technology and Management, Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, IndiaThe circular economy (CE) aims to reduce, reuse, recycle, remanufacture, redesign and recover products for resource optimization, leading to long-term sustainability. The electronics sector (ES), characterised by increasing e-waste, resource scarcity and operational risks, is transitioning towards CE. The existing studies on CE implementation remain fragmented and lack a comprehensive framework guiding circularity initiatives in the ES. The current study addresses this gap by developing an integrated conceptual framework that synthesises existing knowledge on models, perceived benefits and challenges of CE implementation in the ES. It included a systematic literature review of relevant journal articles, white papers and industry reports identified using keywords shortlisted in consultation with industry experts. The methodological approach used in this study included descriptive, content and thematic analyses of the literature to create an integrated conceptual framework. Findings reveal that while CE research in the ES is expanding, it remains predominantly qualitative and exploratory, lacking confirmatory empirical studies. The proposed framework integrates antecedents, mediators, moderators and consequences of CE implementation, offering a structured approach for scaling circularity. Further, the study identifies future research directions using the theory, context, characteristics and methodology (TCCM) framework, providing valuable insights for both theoretical development and empirical research in the domain.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2509794Circular economyelectronics sectorliterature reviewcontent analysisthematic analysisBusiness, Management and Accounting
spellingShingle Harsahib Singh
Rashmi Aggarwal
Poonam Garg
Circular economy implementation in the electronics sector: a systematic literature review and future research directions
Cogent Business & Management
Circular economy
electronics sector
literature review
content analysis
thematic analysis
Business, Management and Accounting
title Circular economy implementation in the electronics sector: a systematic literature review and future research directions
title_full Circular economy implementation in the electronics sector: a systematic literature review and future research directions
title_fullStr Circular economy implementation in the electronics sector: a systematic literature review and future research directions
title_full_unstemmed Circular economy implementation in the electronics sector: a systematic literature review and future research directions
title_short Circular economy implementation in the electronics sector: a systematic literature review and future research directions
title_sort circular economy implementation in the electronics sector a systematic literature review and future research directions
topic Circular economy
electronics sector
literature review
content analysis
thematic analysis
Business, Management and Accounting
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311975.2025.2509794
work_keys_str_mv AT harsahibsingh circulareconomyimplementationintheelectronicssectorasystematicliteraturereviewandfutureresearchdirections
AT rashmiaggarwal circulareconomyimplementationintheelectronicssectorasystematicliteraturereviewandfutureresearchdirections
AT poonamgarg circulareconomyimplementationintheelectronicssectorasystematicliteraturereviewandfutureresearchdirections