Short answer
When selecting suppliers for projects aiming for circularity or sustainability, integrate a formal risk assessment alongside criteria evaluating their circular economy performance.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Sustainability (2025)
- Method
- Decision modelling and analysis
- Evidence
- Strong effect
A structured decision-making model that combines Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with risk evaluation is essential for effectively selecting suppliers aligned with circular economy principles and sustainability goals. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sustainability. Using Decision modelling and analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When selecting suppliers for projects aiming for circularity or sustainability, integrate a formal risk assessment alongside criteria evaluating their circular economy performance.
Integrating Risk and Circularity Enhances Supplier Selection for Sustainable Supply Chains
A structured decision-making model that combines Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with risk evaluation is essential for effectively selecting suppliers aligned with circular economy principles and sustainability goals.
Sustainability · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Existing supplier selection methods often neglect the integration of circularity and risk assessment.
- 02A combined MCDA and risk evaluation framework provides a more comprehensive approach to circular supplier selection.
- 03Effective supplier selection is critical for achieving circular economy compliance and broader sustainability targets.
Application
Design takeaway
When selecting suppliers for projects aiming for circularity or sustainability, integrate a formal risk assessment alongside criteria evaluating their circular economy performance.
How to apply
When evaluating potential suppliers for a new product or service, create a scoring matrix that includes criteria for material sourcing, end-of-life management, waste reduction, and potential supply chain disruptions.
Project actions
- 01When selecting materials or components, consider the supplier's commitment to circular practices.
- 02Include a risk assessment for each potential supplier, looking at factors like supply chain stability and ethical sourcing.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Addresses a critical gap in current supplier selection literature.
- +Proposes a structured and integrated approach for complex decision-making.
Limitations
The model is theoretical and may require adaptation to specific industry contexts or company resources.
Reliability & validity
The validity of the proposed model relies on the theoretical soundness of MCDA and risk assessment principles. Reliability would depend on the consistency of application across different evaluators and contexts.
Think critically
To what extent do current procurement practices within the design industry adequately incorporate circularity and risk assessment in supplier selection, and what are the barriers to adopting more comprehensive models?
Design Principles
"Holistic supplier evaluation requires the integration of performance metrics, risk factors, and strategic alignment with overarching goals."
Traditional supplier selection often fails to adequately address the complexities of circularity and associated risks. Implementing a comprehensive model ensures that supply chain partners contribute to, rather than hinder, sustainability objectives, fostering resilience and long-term viability.
What This Means for Your Design
To choose good suppliers for eco-friendly products, you need to check not just if they are green, but also if they are reliable and don't pose risks.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this research when justifying the selection criteria for suppliers or materials in your design project, particularly if focusing on sustainability or circularity.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The selection of suppliers is a critical juncture in achieving circular economy objectives. As highlighted by Tramarico et al. (2025), traditional approaches often fall short by not integrating circularity principles and risk assessment. Therefore, a robust decision-making framework that combines Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with thorough risk evaluation is essential for identifying partners who can effectively support sustainable and circular supply chains.
Source
Sustainability
Advancing Circular Supplier Selection: Multi-Criteria Perspectives on Risk and Sustainability
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about integrating risk and circularity enhances supplier selection for sustainable supply chains?
- When selecting suppliers for projects aiming for circularity or sustainability, integrate a formal risk assessment alongside criteria evaluating their circular economy performance. Evidence: Sustainability (2025).
- Why does "Integrating Risk and Circularity Enhances Supplier Selection for Sustainable Supply Chains" matter for design?
- Traditional supplier selection often fails to adequately address the complexities of circularity and associated risks. Implementing a comprehensive model ensures that supply chain partners contribute to, rather than hinder, sustainability objectives, fostering resilience and long-term viability.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When selecting suppliers for projects aiming for circularity or sustainability, integrate a formal risk assessment alongside criteria evaluating their circular economy performance.
- What were the main findings?
- Existing supplier selection methods often neglect the integration of circularity and risk assessment.. A combined MCDA and risk evaluation framework provides a more comprehensive approach to circular supplier selection.. Effective supplier selection is critical for achieving circular economy compliance and broader sustainability targets.
- What research method was used?
- Decision modelling and analysis.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When evaluating potential suppliers for a new product or service, create a scoring matrix that includes criteria for material sourcing, end-of-life management, waste reduction, and potential supply chain disruptions.
- What are the limitations?
- The specific MCDA techniques and risk assessment methodologies to be employed are not detailed, and the model's empirical validation is not presented.