The interplay of circular and digital capabilities in driving sustainable supply chain performance: a mixed-methods study of Indian SMEs

Purpose This study examines how Circular Economy Capabilities (CEC), Big Data Analytics Capabilities (BDAC), Internet of Things Capabilities (IoTC) and Blockchain Capabilities Routinization (BCR) affect Sustainable Supply Chain Performance (SSCP). Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from managers of Indian manufacturing SMEs. To capture both linear effects and causal complexity, the study adopted a mixed-method research design. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test direct, mediating and moderating relationships among CEC, BDAC, IoTC, BCR and SSCP. To complement this symmetric analysis, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) was used to identify multiple configurational pathways and equifinal combinations of capabilities leading to high performance. Findings CEC positively influences BDAC, IoTC and SSCP. BDAC and IoTC partially mediate the CEC–SSCP relationship, while BCR strengthens it. FsQCA results reveal multiple pathways to high SSCP, including strong CEC alone or digital capabilities in combination. Originality/value This study offers originality by developing and testing an integrated framework that positions BDAC and IoTC as mediators, and BCR as a moderator, between CEC and SSCP, a configuration not yet examined in the literature. Furthermore, it demonstrates the value of PLS-SEM) and asymmetric (fsQCA) methods to reveal multiple equifinal paths to high performance.