Actor–Network Dynamics in Circular Supply Chains for Products Containing Critical Raw Materials

Modern technologies require critical raw materials (CRMs), and it has become crucial to implement a supply chain that can recover the value of products with CRMs at the end of the life of these products. This systematic literature review examines CRM circular supply chain adoption through Actor–Network Theory, analyzing how human and non-human actors collectively enable circularity. By analyzing 41 articles, we identify influence and dependency patterns among actors across economic levels (microeconomy, mesoeconomy, and macroeconomy) and temporal horizons (short-term, mid-term, and long-term). Our findings reveal that successful adoption requires orchestrated relationships between policy actors, supply chain operators, and innovation actors, mediated by technological systems and regulatory frameworks. The study contributes by developing a multi-level framework that captures how actor relationships evolve from operational to systemic configurations. These insights advance theoretical understanding of circular supply chain development while providing practical guidance for stakeholders implementing CRM circularity initiatives.