Short answer
When designing for circularity in developing contexts, prioritize solutions that are adaptable to limited infrastructure and regulatory support, and focus on building local capacity and awareness.
- Field
- Resource Management
- Source
- Production Planning & Control (2018)
- Method
- Expert Review and Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM-MICMAC)
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Developing countries encounter substantial obstacles, including a lack of regulatory frameworks, technological expertise, and adequate infrastructure, which impede the adoption of circular supply chain models. This resource management research insight is drawn from a 2018 study published in Production Planning & Control. Using Expert review and interpretive structural modelling (ism-micmac), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for circularity in developing contexts, prioritize solutions that are adaptable to limited infrastructure and regulatory support, and focus on building local capacity and awareness.
Developing Nations Face Significant Hurdles in Implementing Circular Supply Chains
Developing countries encounter substantial obstacles, including a lack of regulatory frameworks, technological expertise, and adequate infrastructure, which impede the adoption of circular supply chain models.
Production Planning & Control · 2018
Key Findings
- 01Lack of government policies and regulations supporting circular economy principles.
- 02Insufficient technological infrastructure and expertise for reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing.
- 03Limited awareness and understanding of circular supply chain benefits among stakeholders.
- 04Challenges in reverse logistics and waste management systems.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing for circularity in developing contexts, prioritize solutions that are adaptable to limited infrastructure and regulatory support, and focus on building local capacity and awareness.
How to apply
Before designing a product or system intended for a developing country, conduct thorough research into local waste management capabilities, available technologies, and existing or potential government incentives for circular practices.
Project actions
- 01When researching a design problem in a developing country, look for information on local infrastructure and government support for sustainability.
- 02Consider how your design could be adapted if certain recycling or repair facilities are not available.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Identifies specific barriers relevant to developing countries, a gap in existing literature.
- +Uses a robust analytical method (ISM-MICMAC) to understand barrier interdependencies.
Limitations
The findings are specific to the context studied and may not apply universally. The methodology relies on expert opinions, which can be subjective.
Reliability & validity
The study's validity is strengthened by the use of expert feedback and a structured analytical approach. Reliability could be enhanced by replicating the expert review process with a larger, more diverse group of experts from various developing countries.
Think critically
How can designers proactively address the identified barriers to circular supply chains in developing countries through their design choices, even without direct control over policy or infrastructure development?
Design Principles
"Design for context: Circular solutions must be tailored to the specific socio-economic, technological, and regulatory landscape of the target region."
Understanding these barriers is crucial for designers and engineers aiming to implement sustainable product lifecycles. It highlights the need for context-specific solutions that address the unique challenges faced by developing economies, moving beyond models designed for more developed regions.
What This Means for Your Design
It's harder for poorer countries to do 'circular' stuff with products because they don't have the right rules, technology, or ways to collect and reuse things.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the challenges of implementing sustainable design solutions in developing economies, particularly concerning supply chain management and resource recovery.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights significant barriers to implementing circular supply chain management in developing countries, such as a lack of supportive policies, technological infrastructure, and stakeholder awareness (Mangla et al., 2018). When developing design solutions for these contexts, it is crucial to consider these limitations and propose adaptable strategies.
Source
Production Planning & Control
Barriers to effective circular supply chain management in a developing country context
journal · 2018
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about developing nations face significant hurdles in implementing circular supply chains?
- When designing for circularity in developing contexts, prioritize solutions that are adaptable to limited infrastructure and regulatory support, and focus on building local capacity and awareness. Evidence: Production Planning & Control (2018).
- Why does "Developing Nations Face Significant Hurdles in Implementing Circular Supply Chains" matter for design?
- Understanding these barriers is crucial for designers and engineers aiming to implement sustainable product lifecycles. It highlights the need for context-specific solutions that address the unique challenges faced by developing economies, moving beyond models designed for more developed regions.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing for circularity in developing contexts, prioritize solutions that are adaptable to limited infrastructure and regulatory support, and focus on building local capacity and awareness.
- What were the main findings?
- Lack of government policies and regulations supporting circular economy principles.. Insufficient technological infrastructure and expertise for reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing.. Limited awareness and understanding of circular supply chain benefits among stakeholders.. Challenges in reverse logistics and waste management systems.
- What research method was used?
- Expert Review and Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM-MICMAC).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Production Planning & Control.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Before designing a product or system intended for a developing country, conduct thorough research into local waste management capabilities, available technologies, and existing or potential government incentives for circular practices.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's findings are primarily based on the Indian context and may not be universally applicable to all developing countries. The reliance on expert opinion introduces potential subjectivity.