Understanding approaches to complexity and uncertainty in closed-loop supply chain management: Past findings and future directions

Abstract

This article aims to uncover knowledge gaps regarding approaches to dynamic complexity and deep uncertainty in a transition towards closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) management, and it articulates future research challenges addressing the identified gaps. Based on an abductive approach, two concepts are investigated: ‘deep uncertainty’ from the perspective of the decision-support literature and ‘dynamic complexity’ from the perspective of the complex adaptive systems literature and the transition management literature. The result is a systematic literature review of 64 CLSC management articles published in English. Conceptual gaps, process gaps and methodological gaps were found in relation to CLSC management under deep uncertainty and dynamic complexity. The analysis results in concrete research challenges for the CLSC management and sustainable supply chain management domains. The added value of this article is that the concepts of deep uncertainty and dynamic complexity for CLSC management are explored systematically for the first time. These two concepts appear to be crucial for the analysis of transitions to CLSC management.