Gosling, Jonathan  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9027-9011, Wang, Yingli ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5630-9558, Li, Qian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0827-2134 and Carter, Nicholas Robert
2026.
Envisioning a digital product passport-enabled circular supply chain for the built environment through a systems-of-systems lens.
Supply Chain Management
10.1108/SCM-07-2025-0672
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Abstract
Purpose: Digital product passports (DPPs) are increasingly viewed as a major enabler of circular practices, and regulation mandating their use is being seen across a number of sectors and countries. Construction is one such sector, which is also a huge contributor to waste and carbon emissions. However, the circular transition is a challenging prospect given the complexity and life cycle of structures. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to address the question “How can construction stakeholders transition towards a DPP-enabled circular supply chain?”. Design/methodology/approach: A two-phase design is deployed, combining expert workshops and a case study. The workshops gathered insights from diverse construction supply chain stakeholders to identify barriers, constraints and trade-offs in adopting DPPs. These insights informed the development of eight design principles grounded in SoS. The case study, focused on modular steel-framed healthcare buildings, applied these principles to envision a DPP-enabled circular supply chain. Findings: This study identified a range of barriers and constraints that will need to be overcome, and it also envisions a circular supply chain blueprint based on eight design principles to support a range of DPP-enabled circular routes and pathways. Originality/value: Previous work has shown that the emerging concept of DPP should be considered from a supply chain or systems-of-systems (SoS) perspective, but notes that current guidance and knowledge are in their infancy. The paper contributes by developing and applying eight design principles, anchored in SoS concepts, to support organisations in envisioning their own DPP implementation in pursuit of more circular practices.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Published Online |
| Status: | In Press |
| Schools: | Schools > Business (Including Economics) |
| Additional Information: | RRS policy applied |
| Publisher: | Emerald |
| ISSN: | 1359-8546 |
| Funders: | EPSRC |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 13 July 2026 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 8 June 2026 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Jul 2026 10:30 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188154 |
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