Mapping conflict dynamics in circular fashion transitions: Taxonomy developed through systematic literature review

Despite significant policy initiatives and strong intentions, the fashion sector’s transition from linear to circular economy (CE) progress slowly. This stagnation arises from interdependent actors within fashion system having divergent goals and values resulting into conflicts. These conflicts, reveal deeper social, strategic, institutional and behavioral paradoxes. When acknowledged, they can serve as catalysts for transformative change; yet if ignored, they impede the progress. Addressing this challenge, the present study critically identifies the gap of conflict dynamics embedded within the circular fashion system. Therefore, the focus of research is to identify the types of emerging conflicts and to develop a structured classification that reveals their interrelations across different levels of fashion system. Adopting a systematic literature review methodology, the study integrates scholarship from transitions, systems design, business management, sustainable fashion, and CE, drawing sources from Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Elicit AI. From total (n=159) results, (n=47) were excluded, leaving (n=117) sources that were systematically organized using Obsidian software. Through systems thinking approach, the study develops taxonomy of conflicts , comprising 5 primary types and 16 subtypes of conflicts, offering insights regarding their emergence and reinforcement across micro, meso, and macro levels within fashion system. Through this taxonomy, the study adds value by positioning conflict as intrinsic feature in transition processes, thereby argues for conflict-attentive transition governance. It offers as a guiding framework for robust policy design, enabling practitioners to foresee and address conflict dynamics when designing interventions, collaborative processes or regulatory measures, for resilient circular fashion economy.