Abstract
Household waste supply chains (HWSCs) in developing countries often suffer from fragmented actor structures, weak coordination, and informal practices that limit their overall performance and circularity potential. Existing studies tend to focus on isolated aspects such as waste types, technologies, or individual actors, without systematically examining the broader network and interdependencies shaping HWSC outcomes. Addressing this gap, this study investigates the key components (e.g. actors and waste processes) and bottleneck points that hinder the structure and functioning of current HWSCs to transform into circular systems. Drawing on industrial network theory, the research analyzes how actor relationships and system configurations influence waste flows and hinder circularity outcomes. Based on forty-seven semi-structured interviews and field observations, the study maps the existing HWSC framework and identifies major bottleneck points related to role ambiguity, institutional disconnections, and limited inclusion of informal actors. Content analysis reveals that actor misalignment and lack of collaboration are central bottleneck points to effective and circular household waste systems. The findings contribute to the literature by offering a network-based perspective on HWSC and diagnosing the relational bottlenecks that hinder circular transition. The study provides a foundation for rethinking HWSC frameworks through improved coordination, actor engagement, and systemic redesign adapted to the conditions of emerging economies.
Date Received
September 24, 2024
Date Revised
November 4, 2025
Date Accepted
November 14, 2025
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Ozdamar, Burcin and Göçer, Aysu
(2025)
"Navigating the Open-Loops: Actor Dynamics and Bottlenecks in the Transition towards Circular Household Waste Supply Chains,"
Markets, Globalization & Development Review:
Vol. 10:
No.
2, Article 2.
DOI: 10.23860/MGDR-2025-10-02-02
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/mgdr/vol10/iss2/2
Included in
Development Studies Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Marketing Commons, Operations and Supply Chain Management Commons, Other Business Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons
Author Bio
Burçin Özdamar is a Lecturer (PhD) in Logistics Management. Her research focuses on the circular economy, household waste supply chains, and sustainable logistics. She has international academic publications and professional experience in supply chain and logistics management.
Aysu Göçer is an Associate Professor at Izmir University of Economics. With experience in industry and academia, she specializes in supply chain management, procurement, sustainability, and global business models. She works in the Department of Logistics Management, contributing to research and teaching activities in her field.