Journal of economics and regional development

Abstract The circular economy The circular economy has has emerged as a transformative paradigm in sustainable supply chain management, offering a strategic response to growing environmental challenges and resource constraints. Given the urgent need for industrial transformation in Iran, this study evaluates the performance of circular supply chains in Iranian industries using the innovative Intuitionistic Fuzzy Importance-Performance Analysis (I-FIPA) method. By measuring key indicators across five dimensions—institutional, behavioral, infrastructural, technological, and strategic—through surveys of industry experts, urban managers, and environmental specialists, the research reveals that successful implementation requires simultaneous attention to policy factors (e.g., supportive regulations), cultural aspects (e.g., awareness-raising), technological development (e.g., digital infrastructure), and structural frameworks (e.g., institutional mechanisms). The I-FIPA gap analysis further identifies critical bottlenecks in transitioning toward circular models. Beyond providing a comprehensive status assessment, this study serves as a strategic tool for policymakers, industrial managers, and planners to design operational frameworks and make evidence-based decisions.