Making a Transition toward more Mature Closed-Loop Supply Chain Management under Deep Uncertainty and Dynamic Complexity: A Methodology

This article develops a methodology to empirically study and cope with deep uncertainty and dynamic complexity when the actors in a traditional supply chain make a transition toward more mature closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) management. The methodology addressed calls for innovative research and decision-making approaches in this field. Mature, in this context, refers to moving operationally and mentally away from a stochastic, one-dimensional and static approach to CLSC management, towards an exploratory, multi-dimensional and dynamic approach. To empirically study and cope with deep uncertainty and dynamic complexity in a CLSC context, a conceptual framework and related methodological toolbox are developed, together called the ‘closed-loop integration: collective keystones methodology’ (hereinafter CLICK methodology). The conceptual framework entails six maturity stages, which have been defined based on the well-known capability maturity framework and the concept of double-loop learning. Based on the conceptual framework, methods to equip the toolbox have been systematically identified and evaluated. The study identified 31 potentially appropriate methods, varying from non-participatory methods, to the active engagement of actors and stakeholders, and from analytical methods to evaluation/assessment methods.