This study investigates how integrated due diligence frameworks can bridge the critical gap between circular supply chain principles and Industry 5.0 implementation by leveraging intellectual capital dimensions. It addresses the disconnect between circular economy aspirations and Industry 5.0's human-centric technological capabilities in complex supply chain contexts, proposing a comprehensive benchmark-driven framework.
A mixed-method approach combines systematic literature review with iterative expert consultations through the Delphi method to identify critical implementation gaps. The best worst method (BWM) ranks identified challenges by weighted significance, while ELECTRE facilitates multi-criteria prioritization of solutions. The integrated framework synthesizes digital technologies (AI, blockchain, real-time analytics), sustainability criteria and human-centric practices as bridges supporting transparency, circularity and operational agility.
The research demonstrates that integrated due diligence frameworks successfully bridge the circular supply chain-Industry 5.0 gap by prioritizing ethical sourcing, human-centric practices and sustainable operations over purely technological approaches. Human–machine collaboration, enhanced transparency mechanisms and circular mindset adoption emerge as essential connectors enabling superior responsiveness and sustained performance across the circular-digital divide, with intellectual capital serving as the foundational enabler.
While the framework effectively bridges conceptual and practical gaps through expert validation, broader empirical testing across diverse industrial sectors and geographical contexts is required. The rapidly evolving nature of both circular economy principles and Industry 5.0 technologies necessitates continuous framework refinement.
Supply chain practitioners can utilize this integrated framework to systematically bridge circular supply chain objectives with Industry 5.0 technological capabilities, providing actionable pathways for implementing digital due diligence tools, fostering human-technology integration and achieving sustainable value creation while managing complexity and regulatory compliance.
The framework promotes social sustainability by emphasizing ethical sourcing, stakeholder transparency and worker well-being as fundamental bridges between circular economy principles and Industry 5.0's human-centric vision, thereby enhancing social value throughout global supply networks.
This research uniquely integrates and extends the fragmented literature on circular supply chain implementation, Industry 5.0 adoption and intellectual capital dimensions by proposing a structured, multi-criteria due diligence framework. It contributes novel insights into how sustainable practices and digital technologies can be systematically integrated through multi-criteria decision-making methodologies to achieve next-generation supply chain resilience.
