Analysis of information systems as empowering tools in Circular Manufacturing

Circular Economy (CE) adoption, especially in manufacturing, is gaining momentum thanks to its potentials in enhancing environmental, social and economic sustainability of this sector. In this context, CE is also named as Circular Manufacturing (CM), and by relying on several strategies it allows to reduce resource consumption and to extend their lifecycle towards lowering the greenhouse gases emissions too. The adoption of CM, among all, requires managerial, organizational, and technological changes and supports. In particular, in the scientific literature, researchers underlined the relevant role that digital technologies, spanning from Industry 4.0-related technologies to software and information systems, have in the implementation of CM with a special attention on data. Although this general awareness is present, in the scientific literature is still scarce research dealing with information systems usage to empower manufacturing companies in embracing CM. Therefore, the present contribution, based on both scientific and grey literature, aims to structure the extant contributions by elucidating which information systems can support CM adoption, by underling their role in respect to the specific CM strategy embraced by the company and the potential benefits obtained. In particular, the present contribution shows which information systems can be used for the advancements of the manufacturing companies’ daily activities covering the aspects characterizing CM without being limited to economic benefits only. As a conclusive remark, this research not only aims to cover a research gap, but it empowers practitioners creating awareness about the importance of technological investments to keep high their companies’ competitive advantage including CE values in their strategic plans.