[pt] Este estudo fornece uma análise da relação entre as práticas da economia circular (EC) e o desempenho nas pequenas e médias empresas (PME) na Europa, seguindo uma abordagem multinível. O projeto de pesquisa descreve as etapas envolvidas para atingir esse objetivo. A primeira etapa (artigo 1) examina as tendências da pesquisa existente. Verificamos as variáveis utilizadas, o tipo de dados, o método de análise, o tipo de indústria, o porte da empresa, o tamanho da amostra e o tema ao qual o artigo pertence. Os resultados indicam que não existe um consenso claro sobre a melhor forma de medir e operacionalizar as práticas de EC e o desempenho das empresas, no entanto as variáveis identificadas podem ser utilizadas como guia para futuras pesquisas sobre EC e o desempenho das empresas. Na segunda etapa (artigo 2), investigamos como os indicadores de desempenho econômico, social e ambiental do país PME moderam a relação entre as práticas de EC e o desempenho da empresa. Em resumo, os resultados apoiam que o impacto financeiro da adoção da EC é positivo e é afetado pelo nível de desempenho nacional econômico e ambiental. A terceira etapa (artigo 3) tem como objetivo desenvolver e testar o modelo empírico que inclui moderação por nível meso. Examinamos a função dos intermediarios no envolvimento das PME nas atividades de EC bem como a presença de Redes de Simbiose Industrial (ISN) afeta o desempenho das PME. As conclusões afirmam que as ISN s podem impulsionar a adopção da EC e os intermediários podem ajudar as PME a superar os obstáculos da EC. / [en] This study provides an examination of the relationship between circular economy (CE) practices and firm performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, following a multi-level approach. The research project outlines the stages involved to reach this goal. The first stage (paper 1) examines the trends in the existing research. We verified the variables used, the type of data, the method of analysis, the type of industry, the size of the company, the size of the sample and the topic to which the article belongs. The results indicate that there is no clear consensus on the best way to measure and operationalize CE practices and firm performance, however the variables identified can be used as a guide for future research on CE and firm performance. The second stage (paper 2) we investigate how the economic, social, and environmental performance indicators of the SME country moderates the relationship between CE practices and firm performance. In summary, the results support that the financial impact of adopting CE is positive, and it is affected by the level of national economic and environmental performance. The third stage (paper 3) the aim is develop and test empirical model include moderation by meso-level. We examined the function of intermediaries in involving SMEs in CE activities, and how the presence of Industrial Symbiosis Networks (ISN) affects SMEs performance. The findings affirm that ISNs can boost CE adoption and intermediaries can assist SMEs in surmounting CE obstacles.

The aim of this project is to investigate the influence of AI on CBMs, specifically focusing on the aggregated dimensions of value proposition, value creation and delivery, and value capture. This study employs a qualitative research design inspired by a deductive approach. A systematic literature review was conducted from scientific articles. Interviews with manufacturing companies and AI experts are also utilized to enrich understanding and validate the theoretical model. A thematic analysis was conducted to extract and examine patterns and themes and from that a framework has been developed about how AI influences the circular business values of value proposition, value creation and delivery, and value creation. The key enablers and challenges are outlined, categorized into three main groups: Technological, Organizational, and Environmental factors. The conclusion is that AI enables CBMs in manufacturing by optimizing materials, enhancing predictive maintenance, improving recycling processes, and enabling dynamic pricing models. Key enablers include robust AI infrastructure, organizational support, and regulatory frameworks. Challenges encompass inadequate infrastructure, data issues, and skill shortages. Competitive pressures and regulations drive adoption but also pose hurdles.

Teorin om “cirkulär ekonomi” (CE) är baserad på att effektivare tillvarata resurser, genom att återanvända material och komponenter inom “cirkulära” system, anses den vara ett alternativ till den linjära produktionsmodellen som har bidragit till dagens miljöproblematik. Det finns dock kritik mot teorin om “cirkulär ekonomi” (CE), den anses vara vag och främst är driven av en teknologisk och ekonomisk agenda, utan tillräcklig hänsyn till de sociala och kulturella faktorer som driver konsumtionen i samhället. Innovationen av elbilar har framstått som en del i lösningen av miljöproblematiken och strävar efter att på sikt bli den nya fordonsnormen i samhället. Trots positiva klimatfördelar utmanas aktörer fortfarande i att skapa incitament för konsumenter att investera i elbilar och främja en mer “cirkulär” fordonsindustri. Genom att analysera cirkulär ekonomi inom en “postmodernistisk kontext” och med användning av “konsumentkulturteori” (eng. “Consumer Culture Theory”, CCT) som en del av studiens ramverk syftar denna uppsats till att ge en djupare förståelse för hur symboliska och kulturella värden påverkar implementeringen av cirkulär ekonomi. Genom att använda elbilar som ett exempel på cirkulär ekonomi studerades konsumenternas bakomliggande drivkrafter till förvärvet. Dessutom genomfördes en noggrann analys av elbilens bidrag till den cirkulära ekonomin för att försöka förstå vad det innebär för en produkt att vara helt “cirkulär”. Genom en kvalitativ forskningsmetod utfördes telefonintervjuer med sju elbilsägare för att utforska deras erfarenheter av elbilar. Resultaten från studien visar att motiven för att investera i elbilar främst härrör från symboliska, tekniska eller ekonomiska faktorer som bidrar till respondenternas sociala status i samhället. Genom att respondenterna baserar valet av konsumtion av elbilar på känslor av lyx eller ekonomiska fördelar, snarare än att konsumtionen baseras utifrån miljömässiga faktorer, har det stärkt uppfattningen att sociokulturella faktorer kan leda till “tröghet” (eng. “inertia”) gällande införandet av den mera resurseffektiva cirkulära ekonomin. Respondenterna anser att elbilen kan bli en del av den cirkulära ekonomin på sikt, men att batterier och återvinning av dessa behöver utvecklas och att den i nuläget har en oklar kontribution till cirkulär ekonomi. / At the core of the theory of the “circular economy” (CE) is efficient resource-management. Effectively reusing material and components in a “circular system” serves as an alternative to the linear production model that has caused environmental concerns. Implementing a “circular economy” (CE) is, however, hampered by criticism since it is too vague a theory, pursuing a technological and economic agenda and therefore not taking into account the many social and cultural factors that drive consumption in society. The innovation of electric cars is seen as a part of the solution to the environmental problems. But even with a positive climate approach, it still seems to be a challenge for actors to create incentives for consumers to start investing in electric cars and move towards a more “circular” car industry. Within the context of postmodernism and “consumer culture theory” (CCT), this thesis focuses on how symbolic and cultural values in consumers affect the implementation of a circular economy. Using electric cars as an example of circular economy production, the thesis aims at investigating what makes consumers purchase an electric vehicle. In the same context, a deeper analysis of the electric cars contribution to the circular economy was conducted to understand what it means for a product to be fully “circular”. By employing a qualitative research methodology, phone interviews were conducted to explore the respondents experience of electrical cars. Findings from this research reveal that the motivation to buy electric cars predominantly stem from symbolic, technical, or economic values that contribute to the respondent’s social status in society. The choice to consume electric cars is driven by needs of luxury or economic benefits rather than environmental concerns. This strengthens the notion that sociocultural factors can lead to inertia regarding the implementation of a more resource-efficient circular economy. The respondents believe that electric cars can make a better contribution to the circular economy in the future, emphasizing the need for more efficient recycling of electric vehicle batteries.

The Twin Transitions (TT) concept highlights the interconnection between the green transition, geared toward achieving climate goals, and the digital transition, aimed at disseminating digital technologies and infrastructures. These objectives are fundamental for the long run competitiveness of economic systems. Even though various EU strategic documents and a part of the scientific literature assume the two transitions to be mutually reinforcing, the effective sustainability of the TT is endangered by two issues of environmental nature: the dependence of modern technologies on specific mineral resources and the management of end-of-life technologies, that is electronic waste. Circular Economy (CE) strategies, ultimately aimed at decoupling techno-economic systems from the use of natural resources and at a minimization of human-induced environmental impacts, emerge as a tool to address both issues. Throughout the thesis, this overarching research theme has evolved into three lines of activity: 1) analysis of the relationship between recent technological trajectories and mineral resources consumption; 2) review of the literature on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to investigate its rationale, policy makers expectations and, focusing on the specific case of electronic waste, its impacts in environmental and innovation terms; 3) empirical analysis of the relationship between EPR on batteries and international trade of waste. The project embraces the multidisciplinary and multidimensionality nature of sustainability analysis, by linking various streams of literature (Innovation studies, Ecological Economics, International Economics, Environmental Economics) and types of data (international trade, patents, waste management, resources extraction, material composition of technologies, scientific production). Ultimately, the project elucidates how both market-driven and policy-led CE strategies can engender structural changes capable of driving, at least partially, the Twin Transition dynamics toward achieving effective sustainability outcomes.

I ett samhälle där föremåls värde ofta går förlorat och produkter slängs långt innan de är förbrukade är det hög tid att påbörja en beteende förändring. Denna studie är ett designdrivet forskningsarbete som har undersökt kopplingen som kan uppstå mellan användare och produkt vid ett kreativt och individuellt lagande. Studien har dessutom undersökt de tillvägagångsätt som motiverar användare att börja laga kreativt och hur detta skulle kunna implementeras i en produkt för att således bidra med en förändring i deponibeteendet. Arbetet har utgått från de två designteorierna emotionell design och design for repair. Forskningsarbetet inleddes med att undersöka utgångspunkten för trasiga saker i samhället samt hur det arbetas med lagning idag med hjälp av metoder så som fältstudie. Efter detta undersöktes kopplingen mellan kreativ lagning och användare samt vad som får användarna att kunna tänka kreativt med metoder så som observation och probes. Med den insamlade informationen genomfördes sedan en längre idégenereringsprocess som avslutades i framtagande av ett designbidrag för att besvara uppsatsens forskningsfråga. Design bidraget utformades som ett system som användare kan utnyttja för både donation av gammalt pyssel som de sparat, och köp av kit bestående av det återanvända materialet för att inspirera dem till kreativ lagning, detta i form av en varuautomat. / In a society where the value of objects is often lost and products are thrown away long before their useful life, it is high time to start working towards a behavioral change. This study is a design-driven research project that has investigated the connection that can arise between user and product during creative and individual repair work. The study has also investigated the approaches that motivate end users to start repairing creatively and how this could be implemented in a product to contribute to a change in deposit behavior. The work has been based on the two design theories, emotional design and design for repair. The research work began by examining the starting point for broken things in society and how repairs are done today, using methods like field studies. After this, the connection between creative repair and users was investigated, as well as what makes the users able to think creatively with methods such as observation and probes. With the collected information, a longer idea generation process was then carried out, which ended in the production of a design contribution to answer the essay’s research question. The design contribution was designed as a system that users can use for both the donation of old crafts they have saved and the purchase of kits consisting of the reused material to inspire them to creative repair, this in the form of a vending machine.

This study investigated the current handling of furniture in Sweden's 21regional counties, focusing on circular strategies. The aim was to identifyobstacles and opportunities for improving sustainability through circularfurniture management. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combiningsurveys and focus group interviews with managers responsible for furniturestrategies and representatives from procurement organisations. The resultsrevealed a growing awareness and commitment to circularity, but alsochallenges such as a lack of clear responsibility, resource constraints, andknowledge gaps. The study also found that wood, as a durable and repairablematerial, could mitigate obstacles and enhance circular strategies. However,clearer definitions and sustainability criteria for wooden furniture inprocurement were needed. The study emphasised a multifaceted approach topromote circular furniture management, including increased resources,improved communication, changes in procurement, and clearer guidelines.

This study explores the barriers to cross-sector collaboration among NGOs, for-profit organizations, PBCs, social enterprise and public entities within the plastic industry, aiming to identify the challenges hindering the transition towards a holistic circular economy. The research investigates the complex dynamics and interconnected factors that impede collaborative efforts in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis. Employing a qualitative approach, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with actors representing various sectors and roles within the plastic value chain. The research design involved a thematic analysis of the interview data, guided by the theoretical frameworks of Social Network Theory, Systems Thinking, and Innovation. This approach allowed for a comprehensive examination of the barriers to cross-sector collaboration, considering the interplay of power dynamics, economic priorities, and the lack of feasible, scalable solutions. The findings reveal three major barriers: power imbalances and disconnect among actors within the plastic industry network, the prioritization of profit over sustainability in the current economic system, and the absence of realistic, feasible solutions that can be implemented on a large scale across the entire value chain. The study highlights the necessity of fostering an inclusive environment, shifting mindsets, and developing innovative, scalable solutions to overcome these barriers. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex challenges in achieving cross-sector collaboration and provide valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers working towards a sustainable future in the plastic industry.

The thesis examines the influence of circular economy principles on the standard energy retrofitting practices of a residential building. It highlights the need for deep renovation actions in our building stock to achieve energy and carbonisation reduction. However, this need is usually satisfied only by applying business-as-usual deep renovation practices, which often justify using virgin materials to achieve energy reductions and neglect embodied carbon emissions from applied materials. Therefore, it was necessary to show how the circular economy principles in building refurbishment practices can influence the reduction of carbon emissions and shift our focus from the present to future actions. A case study was chosen for demonstrating this potential through various qualitative methods, such as circular design approaches and reviewing material flows of applied materials while understanding their current and future life cycles. These methods led to tangible results, with reduced operational and embodied emissions. For example, operational carbon emissions were reduced by 38% when comparing the case study with the renovation of the existing building. The study also showed a common oversight - the influence of embodied carbon emissions from applied materials, which reduced overall carbon emissions in the case study to the existing building by 5%. Further, this study presents a clear argument for an immediate shift from solely using virgin materials in building refurbishment. The high embodied carbon emissions from the initial production and construction of virgin materials, often applied in deep renovation, can counter the lowering of operational carbon emissions from the use phase of the building. The construction industry needs to transition from a linear to a circular economy, embracing reused and recycled materials to mitigate these emissions.

[ES] La citricultura española produce unos 7 millones de toneladas de cítricos al año siendo nuestro país uno de los principales productores a nivel mundial, pero sobre todo es reconocido por ser el principal exportador de cítricos de mesa. De hecho, más del 52% del volumen anual producido se exporta para consumo en fresco. El actual marco normativo establece estrictas normas de comercialización al sector por el cual cada año, se generan entre un 10 y 20% de destríos que no pueden comercializarse para consumo en fresco por presencia de defectos como son calibres inapropiados o defectos de color en la piel. En las últimas décadas, ha surgido una industria de transformación, principalmente de zumos, que procesa estos volúmenes de destríos y que, a su vez, debe de dar salida al momento por el carácter perecedero de la fruta. No obstante, de todo el volumen de cítricos que se recepciona en la industria de transformación, más del 50% es biomasa formada por cortezas y membranas que se destinan al sector de piensos sin obtener apenas valor económico. Este volumen de biomasa es rico en compuestos de gran interés tanto para la industria alimentaria por su riqueza en nutrientes como la fibra dietética, así como para el sector farmacéutico por su riqueza en flavonoides. En base a esto, el objetivo general de esta Tesis Doctoral fue investigar la posible valorización de las corrientes de biomasa generadas en los procesos de fabricación de zumos cítricos. Para ello, el primer paso fue la caracterización de los flavonoides cítricos de mayor interés en las distintas corrientes de biomasa que resultan de la industria de fabricación de zumos, y que son, el propio zumo, las cortezas y las membranas del endocarpio. Los flavonoides seleccionados fueron la hesperidina, narirutina, diosmina, nobiletina, tangeretina y sinensetina y se cuantificaron en 6 variedades de naranja y otras 6 de mandarina. De esta caracterización se concluyó que la flavanona hesperidina era la más abundante, representando más del 60% de los flavonoides cuantificados en todas las variedades cítricas estudiadas. Además, más del 70% de esta flavanona se concentra en la corteza del fruto. Asimismo, otro resultado obtenido fue que las flavonas polimetoxiladas sinensetina, nobiletina y tangeretina presentaron una concentración mucho más alta en las variedades de mandarina híbridas Nadorcott, Ortanique y Orri que en el resto de las variedades de naranja y mandarina estudiadas. A continuación, se procedió a ensayar dos procedimientos de recuperación de hesperidina a partir de la corriente de cortezas generadas tras el exprimido industrial de zumos. Ambos se basaban en una extracción sólido-líquido, el primero utilizaba una relación corteza agua 1:2 y el segundo 1:0,25. De los resultados obtenidos se concluyó que, si bien el primer procedimiento se recuperaba mayor cantidad de extracto y de mayor pureza, al calcular el rendimiento del proceso como masa de hesperidina pura recuperada por unidad de masa de corteza, se comprobó que no había diferencias significativas. Asimismo, el estudio de viabilidad económica de ambos procedimientos confirmó que los costes asociados al mayor consumo de agua del primer procedimiento así como los derivados de la depuración de los vertidos generados lo hacían inviable. Finalmente, se realizó un ensayo de aplicación de fibra procedente de la corteza de cítricos a un zumo de naranja hasta aumentar su contenido en fibra dietética de 0,2% a 1,4%. Se realizó un ensayo clínico con voluntarios para comprobar la respuesta metabólica del zumo enriquecido con fibra frente al placebo, a través de un estudio del metabolismo hidrocarbonado y de tests de saciedad. De este ensayo se comprobó una mejor respuesta en las curvas de glucosa e insulina de los voluntarios al inicio en la fase de absorción del zumo enriquecido con la fibra. Asimismo, las pruebas demostraron un efecto significativo en la contribució / [CA] La citricultura espanyola produeix uns 7 milions de tones de cítrics a l'any, situant al nostre país entre els 5 o 6 principals productors del món, però sobre tot és reconeguda per ser el principal exportador de cítrics mundial. De fet més del 52 % del volum produït anualment és exportant en fresc. L'actual marc normatiu estableix unes estrictes normes de comercialització al sector pel qual cada any es generen entre un 10% i 20% de rebuig que no pot ser comercialitzat en fresc a causa de la presència de defectes com poden ser calibres inadequats o defectes de coloració a la pell. A les últimes dècades, ha sorgit una industria de transformació que processa estos volums de fruita de rebuig i que al mateix temps, se'ls ha de donar eixida immediata. No obstant, de tot el volum de cítrics que es rep a la industria, més del 50% és biomassa formada per les corfes i membranes que generalment s'acaben destinant al sector de pinsos obtenint-ne escàs valor econòmic. Este volum de biomassa és ric en compostos de interès tant per a la industria alimentaria per la seua riquesa en nutrients com la fibra dietètica, així como pel sector farmacèutic per la alta riquesa en flavonoides. En base a això l'objectiu general d'esta tesi doctoral va consistir en la valorització dels distints corrents de biomassa generats als processos de fabricació de sucs cítrics. Per a abordar este objectiu, el primer pas va ser la caracterització dels flavonoides cítrics de interès als distints corrents de biomassa que resulten de la industria de transformació, i que són el propi suc, les corfes i les membranes de l'endocarp. Els flavonoides seleccionats van ser la hesperidina, narirutina, diosmina, nobiletina, tangeretina y sinensetina i es quantificaren en 6 varietats de taronja i 6 de mandarina. D'esta caracterització es va arribar a la conclusió que la hesperidina era la més abundant, representant més del 60% dels flavonoides quantificats a les varietats cítriques estudiades. A més, més d'un 70% d'esta flavanona es concentra a la corfa del fruit. Així mateix, un altre resultat destacable dels treballs de caracterització va ser el fet de que les flavones polimetoxiladas sinensetina, nobiletina i tangeretina presentaren una concentració molt més alta a les varietats de mandarines híbrides Nadorcott, Ortanique i Orri que a la resta de varietats de taronja i mandarina estudiades. A continuació es va procedir a assajar dos procediments de recuperació d'hesperidina a partir del corrent de corfes generades amb l'operació d'exprimit de suc industrial. Tots dos es basaven en una extracció del tipus sòlid-líquid, al primer del quals es requeria una relació corfa:aigua del 1:2, mentre que el segon de 1:0,25- Dels assajos realitzats es va concloure que si be el primer procediment donava com a resultat una major quantitat d'extracte recuperat i de major puresa, no obstant això, al calcular el rendiment del procés com a masa d'Hesperidina pura obtinguda per unitat de masa de corfa, es va comprovar que no hi havia diferències significatives. A més a més, l'estudi de viabilitat econòmica d'ambdós procediments va confirmar que els costos associats al major consum d'aigua així com els derivats de la depuració dels abocaments el feien inviable. Finalment, es va realitzar un assaig d'aplicació de fibra procedent de la corfa de cítrics a un suc de taronja fins a augmentar el seu contingut en fibra dietètica des de 0,2% fins a 1,4%. Es va realitzar un assaig clínic amb voluntaris per a comprovar la resposta metabòlica del suc enriquit amb la fibra front al placebo, a través d'un estudi del metabolisme hidrocarbonat i de tests de sensació de sacietat. A este assaig es va comprovar una millor resposta a les corbes de glucosa i insulina dels voluntaris a l'inici de la fase d'absorció del suc enriquit amb fibra. Així mateix, les probes demostraren un efecte significatiu a la contribució de la sensació de sacietat / [EN] The Spanish citrus sector produces about 7 million tons of citrus per year. This figure places our country among the main producers worldwide, but the most important fact is that Spain is recognized as the main exporter of citrus for fresh consumption. In fact, more than 52% of the annual volume produced is exported to third countries. The current legal framework establishes strict marketing standards for the fresh fruit sector. Because of this, between 10 and 20% of the total citrus fruits produced do not meet those market standards and are rejected. This kind of fruits cannot be marketed for fresh consumption due to the presence of defects, such as inappropriate sizes or colour defects on the skin. In recent decades, a transformation industry has emerged, that processes these volumes of rejects. However, more than 50% of the entire volume of fruits that are received in the processing sites, is represented by the biomass formed by endocarp membranes and fruit peels that generally ends up being destined for the animal feed at a very residual economical value. This volume of biomass is rich in chemical compounds of great interest both for the food industry, due to its richness in certain nutrients such as dietary fiber, as well as for the pharmaceutical sector, due to its high richness in flavonoids. Based on this, the general objective of this Doctoral Thesis was to investigate the recovery options of certain substances of the different biomass streams generated during the citrus transformation at the fruit juice industry. To accomplish this objective, the first step was the characterization of the citrus flavonoids of greatest interest, in the different biomass streams that result from the manufacture of juices, and that are, the juice itself, the membranes of the endocarp and the peels. The selected flavonoids were hesperidin, narirutin, diosmin, nobiletin, tangeretin and sinensetin and were quantified in 6 varieties of orange and another 6 of mandarin. From this characterization, it was concluded that hesperidin flavanone was by far, the most abundant representing more than 70% of the total flavone content and, in addition it is concentrated in the rind of the fruit. Likewise, another remarkable result of the characterization work was the fact that the polymethoxylated flavones sinensetin, nobiletina and tangeretin presented a much higher concentration the hybrid mandarin varieties Nadorcott, Ortanique and Orri. Then, two hesperidin recovery processes were tested from the rind stream generated after industrial juicing. Both procedures were based on a solid-liquid extraction, the first one using a 1: 2 peel-to-water ratio and the second 1: 0.25. From the results obtained it was concluded that, although the first procedure lead to a greater quantity of recovered extract with higher purity, when calculating the yield of the process as mass of pure hesperidin recovered per unit mass of processed peel, it was found that there were no significant differences. Likewise, the economic feasibility study of both procedures confirmed that the costs associated with the higher consumption of water in the first procedure as well as those derived from the treatment of the wastewater generated, made it unviable. Finally, an application trial of fiber from citrus peel to an orange juice was carried out until its dietary fiber content increased by 0.2 % to 1.4%. A clinical trial was carried out with volunteers to verify the metabolic response of the fiber-enriched juice compared to placebo, through a study of carbohydrate metabolism and tests fulness feeling. From this test, a better response was found in the glucose and insulin curves of the volunteers at the beginning of the absorption phase of the fiber-enriched juice. Likewise, the tests showed a significant effect on the contribution to the feeling of satiety and fullness after the intake of the fiber-enriched juice. / Marqués Cardete, R. (2020). Valorización de la biomasa resultante del exprimido de la fruta en la industria de zumos cítricos. Recuperación del flavonoide hesperidina y aplicación de la fibra para alimentación humana [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/159934

Yes / Procurement digitalisation can provide significant opportunities for excellence in remanufacturing operations. The close attention of firms is required during the configuration of procurement 4.0 resources for applying front end and base technologies in order to develop the correct set of these resources. Based on Resource Based View theory, this research examines the role of resources influencing procurement 4.0 for driving productivity in remanufacturing operations and circular economy performance. The survey data for this research was gathered from working professionals in South Africa and results reveal that technological resources are necessary in procurement 4.0, which can in turn improve the productivity in remanufacturing operations. An upsurge in performance in remanufacturing operations can enhance the circular economy outcome. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to provide insight for researchers, practitioners and academics with an empirical test of digital procurement on remanufacturing operations and of circular economy performance in an emerging economy like South Africa.