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How Can Digitalisation Support the Circular Economy? An Empirical Analysis from the Manufacturing Industry

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Advances in Production Management Systems. Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures (APMS 2023)

Part of the book series: IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology ((IFIPAICT,volume 692))

Abstract

Digitalisation is widely recognised as an enabler of circular economy. Nevertheless, this relationship has mainly been assessed taking a theoretical lens so far. Therefore, this paper aims at investigating how digital technologies can support companies in implementing the circular economy from an empirical point of view. In detail, the current work sheds light on the digital technologies that most help the circular economy and which of its practices are mainly affected by them. A multiple case study from the Italian manufacturing context is the methodology adopted to perform the study. The obtained results confirm that digitalisation can foster the implementation of circular economy practices. Specifically, Internet of Things, Big data analytics and Simulation mainly support Refuse, Reduce and Rethink, while other Rs are less impacted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, Via Pasubio 7/B, 24044, Dalmine, BG, Italy

    Beatrice Colombo, Albachiara Boffelli, Jacopo Colombo, Alice Madonna & Simone Villa

Authors
  1. Beatrice Colombo
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  2. Albachiara Boffelli
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  3. Jacopo Colombo
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  4. Alice Madonna
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  5. Simone Villa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Beatrice Colombo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Erlend Alfnes

  2. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Anita Romsdal

  3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Jan Ola Strandhagen

  4. ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Friedrichshafen, Germany

    Gregor von Cieminski

  5. Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico City, Mexico

    David Romero

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Colombo, B., Boffelli, A., Colombo, J., Madonna, A., Villa, S. (2023). How Can Digitalisation Support the Circular Economy? An Empirical Analysis from the Manufacturing Industry. In: Alfnes, E., Romsdal, A., Strandhagen, J.O., von Cieminski, G., Romero, D. (eds) Advances in Production Management Systems. Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures. APMS 2023. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 692. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43688-8_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43688-8_6

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