A Conceptual Model to Integrate Operations Strategies Into Circular and Sustainable Global Supply Chains

Abstract

[EN] Rapidly increasing environmental degradation means that society seeks to adapt its activities to sustainable environments that comply with global requirements and regulations. The need arises to investigate what operations strategies companies use to be productive and sustainable. Currently, there is no conceptual model that integrates environmental sustainability strategies and circular economy principles into the entire supply chain. Here, a conceptual model, dubbed as the circular and sustainable-global supply chain, is proposed. To develop the conceptual proposal, a methodology consisting of the following phases was used: visualisation, analysis, conceptualisation, modelling, validation and proposal. According to the main literature review findings, the strategies of sustainable and circular operations most widely used by companies are defined. Then, the proposed model integrates these strategies at all supply chain levels, which are analysed based on sustainability dimensions by identifying inputs, outputs, drivers, constraints and external factors. Finally, the model is validated in six companies in the bus manufacturing industry in terms of levels of compliance and feasibility of applying the model's elements.