Zirkuläre Kennzahlen in der industriellen Produktion - Theoretische Grundlagen und empirische Analyse der praktischen Relevanz

The efficient use of resources is one of the central challenges modern industries are facing. In this context, the circular economy is gaining increasing importance as a guiding principle for sustainable industrial value creation. For industrial companies, this development presents new opportunities but also profound changes in production and logistics. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) play an important role in this transformation, as they serve as control instruments for circular strategies. This master¿s thesis examines which KPIs are suitable for measuring progress towards circular industrial production and how relevant they are in practical application. A systematic literature review following the PRISMA methodology was conducted to determine the current state of research. Building on these findings, an empirical investigation was carried out in the form of seven semi-structured expert interviews with representatives from different industrial sectors. The results show that circular indicators are still applied inconsistently in industrial practice. Key influencing factors for their implementation include data availability, technical integration capability and economic incentives. The study demonstrates that prioritizing a smaller number of meaningful indicators is essential to reduce complexity and enhance acceptance. Furthermore, the need for harmonized definitions, industry-specific standards and supportive political frameworks is emphasized, to effectively integrate circularity into existing management systems. The findings contribute to the further development of practical assessment approaches for circular economy performance in industrial production.