Resumo

The convergence of Circular Economy (CE) practices to sustainable development encourages the promotion of social equity, economic growth and the preservation of natural resources. Increasingly, society charges and funding entities encourage the carrying out of impact research (Okon et al., 2021), generating social transformations (Nicli et al., 2020) and improvements in different organizational and social contexts (Sehnem et al., 2021a). Several critical issues are addressed and have become objectives and goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (Kumar et al., 2022).

We know that scientific research is an important way to discover ways, alternatives and possibilities to generate real solutions to problems of society in general. Are we effectively fulfilling our role in generating impact through research? We are strengthening ties and generating synergy between the global development agenda for the coming years and the opportunities and facilities that the circular economy provides to generate an economic transition that promotes regeneration, efficient use of resources and circularity of products and materials?

The circular economy is defined as an industrial system that is restorative and regenerative by intent and design (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2012). It includes production and post-consumer strategies designed to close, slow down, or narrow resource cycles. The circular economy can be a tool to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) stipulated by the United Nations (UN) (Walker et al., 2021). The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development published by the United Nations provides a guide to achieving the goals of peace and prosperity for the planet (United Nations, 2019).

A systematic literature review was developed with a portfolio of 96 theses and dissertations published in the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (BDTD). Data processed through content and categorical analysis to systematize and identify definitions, conceptualizations, scope of alignment with the SDGs.

The results suggest that SDGs 9, 12 and 17 have a closer synergy with the circular economy in the bibliographic portfolio analyzed. Based on the existing gaps for engagement with the other 14 SDGs, a research agenda was prepared with 93 research opportunities and 6 exploratory theoretical propositions for future validation in theoretical-empirical studies.

The research results point to an important gap to be explored by Brazilian researchers to meet the other SDGs. To make an applied contribution to these advances, a research agenda and 6 theoretical propositions are presented for future empirical validation.

Nicli, S., Elsen, S. U., & Bernhard, A. (2020). Eco-Social Agriculture for Social Transformation and Environmental Sustainability: A Case Study of the UPAS-Project. Sustainability, 12(14), 5510. doi:10.3390/su12145510 Okon, E. M., Falana, B. M., Solaja, S. O., Yakubu, S. O., Alabi, O. O., Okikiola, B. T., … & Edeme, A. B. (2021). Systematic review of climate change impact research in Nigeria: implication for sustainable development. Heliyon, 7(9), e07941. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e0794 Sehnem, S., Queiroz, A.A.F.S., L.Q., Pereira, S. C. F. , Correira, G.S., Kuzma, E. (2021a) Circular Economy