Architectural Requirements for Supply Chain Management (SCM) Systems in a Circular Economy

Abstract

Global transition toward circular economy (CE) has fundamentally changed the operation requirements of Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems and the architecture requirements to enable such transition are still largely under-explored. The traditional SCM structure is fundamentally unsuitable to deal with the bidirectional logistics, multi-lifecycles use of resources, and multi-stakeholder collaboration that circular logistics require. Although there are a number of studies that have focused on a single enabling technology like Blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), a comprehensive integrated architectural framework that covers the technical, organizational and governance aspects have not yet been developed. The purpose of this study is thus to identify and validate the fundamental architectural needs for SCM systems to fulfill the principles of the circular economy. By applying a Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology, the research consolidates 102 peer-reviewed papers found in Scopus, IEEE Xplore, SpringerLink and ScienceDirect that were relevant to Industry 4.0, digital construction and sustainable logistics between 2016 and 2025. Each requirement identified is confirmed through structured requirement, structured block definition, and structured activity diagrams through mapping to the literature that has been used as a source for the requirement and to the architectural components that support it. These core, interdependent needs traceability and provenance, lifecycle visibility and resource reuse, interoperability and standards, and security and trust are identified in the analysis and integrated solutions, as opposed to individual solutions, are required to achieve operational benefits. The study moves away from the focus on individual technologies and offers a conceptual blueprint for designing resilient, transparent, and sustainable circular supply chain systems; it recognizes that the framework is conceptually rather than empirically validated.