The Role of Consumption in the Circular Economy Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis

Year 2026, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 325 - 347, 28.02.2026

Fatmanur Oral , Meryem Aysin

https://doi.org/10.25229/beta.1738049

https://izlik.org/JA49RR62WM

Abstract

The increasing scrutiny of the sustainability of current economic systems has led to a growing interest in alternative approaches. In this context, the circular economy model has emerged as a holistic system that aims to enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste generation, and minimize environmental impacts by encompassing all stages from production to consumption. While this model is frequently addressed with a focus on production, the consumption dimension remains relatively underexplored in the literature. This study aims to examine the relationship between circular economy and consumption through a bibliometric analysis of academic publications indexed in the Web of Science database. To this end, a total of 3,489 publications published between 1998 and 2023 were analyzed. Using VOSviewer software, the analysis visualized publication languages, annual publication trends, citation and keyword patterns, as well as author, institutional, and country-level collaboration networks. The findings reveal a sharp increase in academic interest since 2016, peaking in 2022. Themes such as sustainable consumption, the sharing economy, and environmental policy emerge as key areas of focus, while China, Spain, and Italy stand out as leading contributors to the literature. The study also provides a comprehensive overview of the most influential authors, journals, and keyword clusters. Overall, the results highlight key trends and research directions in the circular economy and consumption literature and offer insights into future research potentials.

Keywords

Bibliometric Analysis , Circular Consumption , Circular Economy , Sustainability

Döngüsel Ekonomi Literatüründe Tüketimin Yeri: Bibliyometrik Bir Analiz

https://izlik.org/JA49RR62WM

Abstract

Mevcut ekonomik sistemin sürdürülebilirlik açısından giderek daha fazla sorgulanması, alternatif yaklaşımların önem kazanmasına neden olmuştur. Bu bağlamda döngüsel ekonomi modeli kaynakların etkin kullanımı, atık oluşumunun azaltılması ve çevresel etkilerin en aza indirilmesi hedefleyen; üretimden tüketime kadar tüm süreçleri kapsayan bütüncül bir sistem olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Literatürde bu model çoğunlukla üretim odaklı ele alınmakta, tüketim boyutu görece geri planda kalmaktadır. Bu çalışma döngüsel ekonomi ve tüketim ilişkisini merkeze alarak, Web of Science veri tabanında yayımlanan akademik çalışmaları bibliyometrik analiz yöntemiyle incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaçla, 1998–2023 yılları arasında veri tabanında yayınlanan toplam 3.489 yayının analizi yapılmıştır. VOSviewer yazılımı kullanılarak yayın dili, yıllara göre yayın eğilimleri, atıf ve anahtar kelime örüntüleri ile yazar, kurum ve ülke düzeyindeki iş birliği ağları görselleştirilmiştir. Bulgular, özellikle 2016 yılından itibaren konuya yönelik akademik ilgide belirgin bir artış yaşandığını ve 2022 yılında zirveye ulaşıldığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca sürdürülebilir tüketim, paylaşım ekonomisi ve çevresel politika gibi temalar ön plana çıkmakta; Çin, İspanya ve İtalya ise literatürde öne çıkan ülkeler arasında yer almaktadır. Çalışmada ayrıca önde gelen yazarlar, etkili dergiler ve temel anahtar kavram kümeleri kapsamlı bir biçimde sunulmuştur. Elde edilen bulgular, döngüsel ekonomi ve tüketim konularına yönelik literatürdeki eğilimleri, araştırma odaklarını ve gelecekteki araştırmalara yönelik potansiyeli ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

Bibliyometrik Analiz , Döngüsel Ekonomi , Döngüsel Tüketim , Sürdürülebilirlik

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