Abstract

The increasing interconnectedness of data-driven finance, global supply chains, and digital regulatory regimes has introduced systemic risks that challenge traditional, siloed approaches to consumer protection. This study contributes an original conceptual artifact the Systems Thinking–Driven Data-Centric Consumer Protection (ST-DCP) framework which integrates finance, supply chain management, and policy into a unified systems-level model for safeguarding consumer welfare. Drawing on a systematic literature review and thematic analysis of research from 2010 to 2024, the study identifies critical interdependencies, feedback loops, and emergent vulnerabilities arising from data exploitation, algorithmic decision-making, and fragmented regulatory oversight. The proposed framework operationalizes systems thinking by mapping data flows, incentive structures, and governance mechanisms across domains, highlighting leverage points for proactive and adaptive intervention. By reframing consumer vulnerability as a systemic condition of digital markets, the study advances a holistic paradigm for consumer protection that emphasizes cross-sectoral coordination, transparency by design, and adaptive governance. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers seeking to align data-driven innovation with resilient and trustworthy consumer protection systems.