Science Mapping Analysis for the Development of a Remanufacturing Readiness Model

Nowadays, most industrial processes require increased attention to the rational use of resources in line with economic, environmental, and social principles. In this context, products in a state of deterioration present valid solutions for reintegration into the lifecycle through the use of recovery, restoration, and reuse techniques. The so-called remanufacturing process is a facilitator of sustainability and circular economy practices through the design of closed-loop supply chains. However, transitioning from linear to closed-loop supply chains through the introduction of remanufacturing is not straightforward. For this reason, the aim of this paper is to provide a tool for assessing the readiness level for introducing remanufacturing from a circular economy perspective. A multi-methodological design approach, including a systematic literature review on readiness models and a systematic literature network analysis for remanufacturing adoption, is employed to identify gaps and propose a novel readiness model. The results propose R4CE, a remanufacturing readiness model for circular economy adoption in closed-loop supply chains. The model assesses the readiness on five levels and the three dimensions of collaboration mechanisms, closed-loop supply chain decisions, and policies and regulations. The research findings may be of interest to practitioners and researchers for readiness assessment.