From Visibility to Circular Intelligence: Digital Supply Chain Control Towers for Closed-Loop and Regenerative Supply Chains
Author's Name:
Karim Soliman
University of Business and Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Khaled EL Sakty
Khaled EL Sakty, Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport.
Mohammad Kana
University of Business and Technology, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Linear to circular supply chain transformation necessitates coordination infrastructures capable of managing reverse flows, lifecycle information, and multi-dimensional sustainability objectives. While the utilisation of Supply Chain Control Towers (SCCT) to enhance visibility and responsiveness in traditional linear supply chains is well established, their potential role in supporting circular economy (CE) adoption has not yet been conceptually examined. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 13 peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2025 to investigate the intersection of CE principles with Industry 4.0 technologies and SCCT architectures. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, the review synthesises digital enablers, orchestration capabilities, governance structures, and performance management mechanisms relevant to circular supply chain transformation. The findings indicate that traceability systems, advanced analytics, and cross-tier data integration enable SCCT to function as circular orchestration mechanisms rather than mere monitoring tools. Nonetheless, empirical validation of CE-enabled SCCT designs remains scarce. To address this gap, the study proposes a multi-layer conceptual framework that differentiates digital resource infrastructures from circular orchestration capabilities while integrating governance and performance measurement systems within a unified structure. By combining resource-based, dynamic capability, and socio-technical perspectives, this research advances theoretical understanding of digital circular coordination and provides a structured foundation for future empirical studies and managerial applications.