Modelling Causal Bottlenecks to IoT-Enabled Circular Economy: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective Using MCDM Framework

The process of returning end-of-life electronics is among the most difficult steps of the circular economy (CE). IoT technologies offer power, scalability, and visibility; however, the real return rates do not allow leaving the problematic state. In the triangular barrier framework, the issue being discussed in this paper spearheads the consumer behaviour, infrastructure, and policy triangular and empowers them by means of a mixed-method design. We (i) compile cross-sector based evidence of IoTbased, logistics-based, and privacy/security studies recently released; (ii) conduct a 3-round Delphi meeting involving 20 professionals; and (iii) take out a multi-nation scale study$(n=512)$which is evaluated via PLS-SEM and using the fsQCA. Low return convenience has been cited as the biggest barrier, especially in the collection networks, weak interoperability, and ambiguous take-back rules; privacy-security promotes such barriers. We offer a prioritized barrier portfolio (Fig. 1), measures, and playbooks of policies/managerial that align CE goals with realistic demands of the deployment of the Internet of Things. Results are consistent with recent findings on IoT-made returns of e-waste and intelligent logistics and the neglected policyinfrastructure interplay.