A review of entrepreneurship and circular economy research: State of the art and future directions

Suchek, Nathalia; Ferreira, João J.; Fernandes, Paula Odete

doi:10.1002/bse.3020

Cited by 81 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…The CE concept provides a solution to the myriad of problems concerning linear economy, as it suggests a redesign of the linear system to make closed-loop resource flows possible, which can preserve the embedded environmental and economic value in products over a long period (Urbinati et al, 2017). There are several studies developing definitions for the CE (Blomsma & Brennan, 2017; Geissdoerfer 1 Small and medium-size enterprises can be differentiated between 'born circular' firms constituting ventures, which have been primarily created to deliver circular value and to exploit CE opportunities, and the so-called 'growing circular' firms constituting established firms, which need to transform their business model to become circular (Suchek et al, 2022;Zucchella, 2019). 2 Drivers and competences comprise the individual level of persons involved in a company with a CBM.…”

Section: Theoretical Background: From Circular Economy To Circular Bu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of internal company dynamics on sustainable circular business development: Insights from circular startups

2022

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The circular economy is commonly acknowledged as a solution to ecological problems such as resource depletion and waste emissions. New economic opportunities emerge by transitioning from a linear to a circular economy and innovative business models are needed to translate these opportunities into business reality. In recent years, researchers have investigated a variety of approaches to circular business models, but few studies have been conducted associating internal company dynamics with sustainable circular business approaches. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to investigate the internal dynamics of young and small-scale companies in Germany that adopt a sustainable circular business model. This study focuses on internal barriers, enablers, competences and drivers to sustainable circular business model implementation. A case-based research design was applied, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 12 founders of businesses and organisations with a sustainable circular business model. The study develops four strategies to overcome barriers to sustainable circular business model adoption in young and small-scale companies: (1) humancenteredness in all activities affected by circular business model adoption, (2) high commitment for circularity on the managerial level, (3) requirement of special skills and competences and (4) consideration of cultural aspects inside and outside the company. Further empirical research about established and international incumbents with a sustainable circular business model is needed to be able to compare the internal dynamics of big and small companies in international contexts.

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Section: Theoretical Background: From Circular Economy To Circular Bu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of internal company dynamics on sustainable circular business development: Insights from circular startups

2022

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“…Attention to innovation is increasing with respect to considering changes that affect the economic, social and environmental dimensions of companies (Brondoni, 2020 ; European Investment Bank, 2020 ; Svensson & Funck, 2019 ). Suchek et al ( 2022 ) propose a framework for innovation with respect to CE, emphasizing the fact that, in general terms, such innovation depends on the establishment of strategic alliances and the adoption of a multilevel approach that includes all interested parties in terms of business model innovation and an eco-innovation approach.…”

Section: Results and Conceptual Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…CE has been studied at the micro level from an admittedly fragmented variety of perspectives with regard to the drivers and barriers to CE (Clark et al, 2016 ), circular business models (Geissdoerfer et al, 2020 ; de Sousa Jabbour, 2019 ; Suchek et al, 2022 ), circularity and sustainable development targets (Bag et al, 2021 ; Dubey et al, 2019 ; Tang & Liao, 2021 ), and circular assessment tools (Life Cycle Assessment, Material Flow Analysis, Material Flow Cost Accounting). Thus, efforts to understand and synthesize the transition of SMEs to CE are required (Zhu et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The transition towards a circular economy. A framework for SMEs

Gennari

2022

J Manag Gov

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Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute significantly to the European GDP and play a pivotal role in the ecological transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE). According to transition management theory, which emphasizes the active role of firms as accelerators of global transition processes, and based on qualitative content analysis of the literature, we found key pillars of CE (governance, relations with stakeholders and innovation) that SMEs should manage in an integrated way to increase the speed of the transition towards circularity. The result of this study is a conceptual framework that explains the development of the identified pillars in the context of the transition towards CE. This study addresses a gap in the literature concerning SMEs’ transition towards circularity, emphasizing the importance of a dynamic vision and the integrated management of a variety of key dimensions. The study also provides pragmatic advice to facilitate self-assessments by SMEs with respect to their path of transition and to maximize the effectiveness of policy-makers’ interventions to support SMEs. Finally, the study has societal implications: promoting the transition of SMEs towards CE can accelerate the global green transition due to the proximity of SMEs to the local environment and work force.

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“…Hence, social entrepreneurship constitutes a potential stimulus for the introduction of sustainable and novel business models (Ranta et al, 2018a ; Vizcaíno et al, 2021 ), such as the B-Corporation, and their entrepreneurs keep their place in the value chain to endorse actions within the path of a CE in harmony with the ecosystem (Vecchio et al, 2020 ). By enhancing the ecological and social well-being dimensions, B-Corporations integrate CE practices (Henriksson et al, 2019 ; Suchek et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Boosting circular economy via the b-corporation roads. The effect of the entrepreneurial culture and exogenous factors on sustainability performance

et al. 2023

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The study aims to analyze the role of informal institutions of Circular Economy (CE) as exogenous factors of improving the effectiveness of Benefit Corporation’ model. In detail, leveraging on the institution theoretical framework, it hypothesized that the level of entrepreneurial culture linked to CE at national level has a positive effect on the sustainability performance towards CE of Benefit Corporations. To this end, a sample of 301 Certified Benefit Corporations collected from the B-Lab dataset for the period 2008–2016 and located in eight European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom) has been analysed. The findings show that the informal institutions englobed in the cultural dimensions of a country, with specific regard to the role of the entrepreneurial culture related to the CE, seems to actively stimulates the sustainability performance of Benefit Corporations towards CE, as measured through the B-Impact Assessment Score of the operated by B-Lab. The study provides some important implications for theory and practice. Indeed, it contributes to the literature on institutional theory applied to CE, revealing the effective role of informal institutions for the development of circularity and sustainability performance at firm level in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Also, the full achievement of the sustainability goals of Benefit Corporations passes also through their strongly commitment towards the CE principles. Further, the incorporation of a culture characterized by high entrepreneurial principles towards CE will likely push individuals to build an entrepreneurial mindset for the effective and sustainable development of Benefit Corporations. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11365-023-00835-8.

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A review of entrepreneurship and circular economy research: State of the art and future directions

Cited by 81 publications

References 138 publications

The impact of internal company dynamics on sustainable circular business development: Insights from circular startups

The impact of internal company dynamics on sustainable circular business development: Insights from circular startups

The transition towards a circular economy. A framework for SMEs

Boosting circular economy via the b-corporation roads. The effect of the entrepreneurial culture and exogenous factors on sustainability performance

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