Implementing circular manufacturing systems: A value lifecycle view on digital technology-enabled mechanisms

The manufacturing sector is navigating a twin transition driven by simultaneous sustainability mandates and rapid technological advancements. While digital technologies (DTs) are recognized as enablers of circular manufacturing systems (CMS), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) lack a structured approach to systematically deploy DTs to implement CMS. Existing digitalization frameworks remain technology-centric, treating DTs in isolation rather than situating them within a lifecycle-wide view of value. Consequently, DT deployment remains fragmented rather than spanning all five phases of the value lifecycle view (value creation, value delivery, value use, value recovery, and value re-creation). This leaves the systemic value of coordinated digitalization unrealized in the context of CMS. Accordingly, this study addresses two research questions: how DTs contribute to value creation, delivery, use, recovery and re-creation in the implementation of CMS and how OEMs can systemically deploy DTs to implement CMS. This study performs a semi-systematic narrative review of 87 articles, identified through the PRISMA method from Scopus and Web of Science databases, coding them against the value lifecycle phases and DTs and applying thematic analysis to identify 13 DT enabled mechanisms to implement CMS. Their dependencies are then organized across six data transformation levels. The findings reveal that the DTs, mechanisms, and value lifecycle phases are systemically interdependent rather than related through one-to-one correspondence, with CMS guiding DT deployment. Building on these findings, this study proposes a digitalization guideline that supports OEMs in sequencing and coordinating DT deployment across the value lifecycle to implement CMS.