Examining circular economy principles to transform public sector pharmaceutical supply chains for flexibility: A multi-method approach

Digital transformation enhances sustainability in public sector pharmaceutical supply chains by optimizing sources, improving traceability, and promoting circular economy principles. This research converges on the circular economies principles to transform the Indian public sector pharmaceutical supply chains for flexibility by a mixed method approach. This study uses the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework integrated with a Delphi study to identify and prioritize the key enablers of digital transformation and circular economy principles to enhance supply chain flexibility in the Indian public sector pharmaceutical services. The relative importance of each identified enablers was measured using the best worst method to confirm focused resource allocation and strategic prioritization for optimal impact in public sector pharmaceutical services. The study further uses the Bayesian network approach to determine the most prominent enabler of digital transformation and circular economy principles, which enhance supply chain flexibility in the Indian public sector pharmaceutical services. This research highlights that technology-driven investments enhance supply chain flexibility, supplier collaboration is critical for continuous circular economy transitions, and strong regulatory policies are needed for effective adoption. These insights provide policymakers and practitioners with a comprehensive framework to drive sustainable transformation and operational excellence in the public sector pharmaceutical sector services. • Mixed methods integrate TOE & Delphi to identify and classify digital transformation & circular economy enablers in pharma SCs. • The Best-Worst Method evaluates the strategic prioritization of each enabler in public pharma services for better SCF. • Bayesian analysis reveals tech investments and supplier collaboration as key enablers for sustainable change. • Strong regulatory frameworks drive effective adoption of circular economy practices in public pharma services.