Operational excellence and supply chain leadership in a circular economy Online publication date: Tue, 07-Jan-2025
by Ntise Hendrick Manchidi
Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal (PIE), Vol. 17, No. 3, 2024
Abstract: The appreciation of operational excellence (OE) and its economic value towards supply chain leadership (SCL) of a company in a circular economy (CE) is somewhat inadequate. This study engaged a qualitative research approach with open-ended interview schedule to collect data from a purposive sample of eight industry specialists in supply chain management (SCM), logistics, chemical and industrial engineering as well as production and manufacturing engineering (n = 8). Semi-structured interviewing was used in which the same questions were asked to seek subjective opinions on the importance and contribution of operational excellence to SCM and SCL and the understanding of SCM of companies in a CE. The findings establish that operational elements (human capital, process activation, conducive environment, and continuous improvement) and leadership elements (flexibility, strategic direction, tactical approach, long-term planning, awareness, and benchmarking) are the key drivers for organisations in a CE to attain OE and ultimately SCL.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal (PIE):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook