Supply chain collaboration to foster circular economy: a multiple case study in the textile industry

The circular economy has been gaining increasing attention from academics, institutions and industries over the last few years. The establishment of valuable collaborations among supply chain partners is essential for the success of this modern economic paradigm. However, actors involved in the development of circular systems face several difficulties in implementing stable and functional partnerships. Our analysis concerns the deepening of the connections between the circular economy and supply chain collaborations that could foster its development. In detail, our research focuses on the recognition of the key factors driving the process of business partners’ selection, as well as on the identification of the most diffused collaboration practices and related challenges to face among the actors that successfully implemented circular systems. We decided to adopt a multiple case study methodology to carry out the research. The analysis of five selected companies within the Italian textile industry confirms the creation of fruitful collaborations is essential to successfully implement circular practices, highlighting that a holistic approach is needed to effectively establish this new economic paradigm.