CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUPPLY CHAIN GOVERNANCE: ETHICAL SOURCING AND SUPPLIER ACCOUNT ABILITY IN GHANAIAN FIRMS

The accelerating global shift toward circular economy (CE) models necessitates new governance mechanisms across supply chains, particularly in emerging economies where linear production remains dominant. Circularity emphasizes not only environmental stewardship but also a redefinition of value creation through ethical sourcing and supplier accountability. This conceptual literature review explores how these two governance levers influence the adoption and effectiveness of CE-aligned supply chain governance in Ghanaian firms. Employing a qualitative thematic synthesis grounded in stakeholder theory, institutional theory, and the resource based view,this study identifies five interrelated thematic domains: CE integration, governance complexity, ethical sourcing practices, contextual challenges, and supplier accountability mechanisms. Findings reveal that ethical supply chain leadership fosters circular practices by embedding trust, transparency, and environmental orientation into procurement decision making. Simultaneously, accountability in CE emerges through both formal metrics and informal social norms, enhancing sustainability and stakeholder engagement. However, institutional voids, informality, and the lack of policy alignment continue to hinder ethical sourcing integration in Ghana’s fragmented supply networks. The study proposes a conceptual framework linking CE orientation with governance mechanisms mediated by supplier accountabiliy, and moderated by institutional and stakeholder factors. This synthesis contributes to theory by reframing circular supply chain governance through an ethics-centered African lens. It also provides policy guidance for promoting localized standards, third-party certifications, and multi-stakeholder coalitions that can enhance supply chain resilience and sustainability in Ghana.