An examination of the literature review exercise of an academic article: for MBA students 02

An examination of the literature review exercise of an academic article: for MBA students 01 [information from chatpdf.com]

The article name: "Revisiting circular economy indicators: A circular supply chain perspective" Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management

My question 1: "What are the research objectives of the article?"

The reply: "The research objectives of the article revolve around evaluating and improving the measurement of circularity within purchasing and supply management (PSM) and the circular supply chain. The specific objectives include:

1. Assessment of Existing Indicators: To investigate the effectiveness of current circular economy indicators and their ability to encompass all dimensions of circularity and include key actors in the circular supply chain , .

2. Framework Development: To propose a framework for developing effective circular economy indicators that address the gaps found in existing measures, ensuring that all five circularity dimensions (monetary, energy and environment, material, temporal, and efficiency) are considered, as well as the critical roles of different stakeholders (e.g., collectors, recyclers, manufacturers, users) , .

3. Validation of the Framework: To validate this framework using a hybrid methodological approach, which involves fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP), fuzzy technique for order preference similarity to the ideal solution (FTOPSIS), and linear programming , .

4. Guidance for Practitioners: To provide actionable insights for purchasing and supply practitioners, enhancing their decision-making processes around sustainability and regulatory compliance, thus supporting the overall goals of the circular economy , .

By addressing these objectives, the study aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding and evaluation of circularity in supply chain management, ultimately fostering the transition to a circular economy."

My question 2: "What are the academic theories employed in the study?"

The reply: "The study employs the following academic theories:

1. Stakeholder Theory: This theory is central to the framework proposed in the study. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and integrating the diverse roles and impacts of various stakeholders involved in the circular supply chain (CSC). By utilizing stakeholder theory, the study aims to ensure that circular economy indicators comprehensively reflect the contributions and performances of all actors in the supply chain, thereby avoiding the narrow focus often found in existing literature , .

2. Fuzzy Set Theory: The study employs fuzzy set theory as part of its methodological approach, specifically in the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) and the fuzzy technique for order preference similarity to the ideal solution (FTOPSIS). These fuzzy methodologies help in determining the weights of circular economy items and in ranking recycling alternatives, allowing for a more nuanced decision-making process that accommodates uncertainty and complexity in assessing circularity , .

By combining these theories, the study aims to develop a robust framework for measuring and enhancing circularity within purchasing and supply management, addressing gaps in existing indicators and evaluations."

My question 3: "Did the article evaluate these academic theories individually in its literature review effort?"

The reply: "Yes, the article evaluates the academic theories individually in its literature review. The literature review focuses on two primary theories: Circular Economy (CE) and Stakeholder Theory. The discussion emphasizes how these theories relate to the concept of circularity and their application within the context of purchasing and supply management (PSM).

1. Stakeholder Theory: The literature review examines various aspects of stakeholder theory, particularly its role in assessing circular economy indicators and evaluating the circularity of the circular supply chain (CSC). It identifies a gap in existing literature where stakeholder theory has often focused on CE implementation, rather than on the assessment and development of CE indicators . The study highlights the importance of a holistic evaluation that captures the interconnectedness of all stages in the supply chain and provides a theoretical basis for creating comprehensive CE indicators , .

2. Circular Economy: The literature review also discusses the various dimensions proposed by scholars to evaluate circularity. It addresses the need for accurate measurement of circularity to support decision-making and improve sustainability practices within PSM. This review illustrates the challenges that arise when existing CE indicators do not fully encompass the required circularity dimensions or stakeholders involved , .

By examining these theories, the article establishes a theoretical foundation for its subsequent methodological approach and practical applications in enhancing circularity in supply chains."

My question 4: "Did the article conduct literature synthesis on these academic theories?"

The reply: "Yes, the article conducts a literature synthesis on the academic theories discussed, specifically focusing on Stakeholder Theory and Circular Economy (CE).

1. Synthesis of Stakeholder Theory: The literature review synthesizes existing research on stakeholder theory by evaluating its application in the context of circular economy practices. It explores how stakeholder theory has primarily been used to understand the roles of various actors in implementing circular economy strategies but highlights a significant gap in the assessment of circular economy indicators. The article argues for a more integrated approach that utilizes stakeholder theory to develop comprehensive indicators that reflect the contributions of all stakeholders within the circular supply chain , .

2. Synthesis of Circular Economy Literature: The article also synthesizes literature on circular economy, discussing various dimensions proposed for evaluating circularity. It reviews the current state of circular economy indicators and identifies shortcomings in existing frameworks, specifically their inability to adequately incorporate all dimensions of circularity and the roles of different actors in the supply chain. This synthesis underscores the importance of accurate measurement in facilitating informed decisions and enhancing sustainable practices in procurement processes , .

Overall, through its literature synthesis, the article establishes a foundation for its research, identifying critical gaps and justifying the need for a new framework that combines these theories to better assess and improve circularity in supply chains."

My question 5: "Did the article discuss how these academic theories could inform the research method designs in the study?"

The reply: "Yes, the article discusses how the academic theories, particularly Stakeholder Theory and Circular Economy, inform the research method designs used in the study.

1. Stakeholder Theory's Influence: The application of Stakeholder Theory guided the development of a decision-making framework for constructing Circular Economy (CE) indicators. This framework emphasizes the need to engage all actors within the circular supply chain (CSC) and allows for a thorough assessment of circularity across all dimensions. The research methodology leverages stakeholder perspectives to create indicators that accurately reflect the performance and contributions of various CSC actors, thereby ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of circularity , .

2. Research Methodology: The article outlines its research methodology in Section 3, incorporating the theoretical insights gained from the literature. It details the use of a systematic literature review to identify gaps and inform the selection of appropriate methodologies, including Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS), along with linear programming. These techniques are aligned with the principles of stakeholder engagement and circularity measurement to facilitate the framework's validation through empirical data , .

In summary, the integration of these academic theories into the research design reflects a structured approach, enabling a nuanced and comprehensive exploration of CE indicators and circularity assessment within supply chains. The theories not only frame the research questions but also shape the methodological tools employed to address those questions."

My question 6: "Did the article explain how the academic theories used can help in addressing the research objectives?"

The reply: "Yes, the article explains how the academic theories employed, specifically Stakeholder Theory and concepts within the Circular Economy framework, assist in addressing the research objectives.

1. Stakeholder Theory and Research Objectives: The application of Stakeholder Theory is central to the research objectives as it promotes a comprehensive understanding of the roles of different actors within the circular supply chain (CSC). By recognizing the unique contributions and perspectives of each stakeholder, the study aims to develop Circular Economy indicators that accurately reflect the collective performance of the supply chain regarding circularity. This theory aids in ensuring that the indicators encompass all relevant dimensions and stakeholder inputs, thus aligning with the study's objective of creating a robust and inclusive framework for assessing circular economy practices , .

2. Circular Economy Framework: The incorporation of Circular Economy principles directly supports the research’s goal of evaluating and enhancing circularity within supply chains. It facilitates the identification of specific areas for improvement within the circular practices of organizations. By establishing empirical measures based on circularity dimensions, the research can facilitate informed decision-making and strategic planning that aligns with sustainability objectives, ultimately serving the overarching aim of transitioning towards a more sustainable economy through effective procurement processes and supply chain management , .

The article makes it clear that these academic theories not only inform the development of CE indicators but also shape the research outcomes towards achieving its objectives of fostering a deeper understanding and application of circular economy practices within supply chain management. Thus, leveraging these theories significantly enhances the relevance and impact of the research findings."

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.