Circular economy awareness and motivations in the furniture industry: İnegöl as a microcosm of global south dynamics

Abstract

This study examines the distinctive characteristics of circular economy (CE) transitions in the Global South, with the aim of elucidating the complex dynamics. The furniture cluster in İnegöl, Turkey, is employed as a case study. A circular economy awareness survey is employed to illustrate the current perspective of the industry. In total, 40 companies from the cluster have been reached, and the results have been analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Furthermore, to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers and motivations for potential CE transitions, a semi-structured interview was conducted with a key figure within the ecosystem. The key findings of the study reveal that, in comparison to the Global North, companies operating in the Global South have less awareness of the coverage of CE, with applications confined to waste reduction and energy efficiency. Additionally, new design and innovation efforts are not identified among the expected benefits related to implementing CE. This paper highlights the fact that exporting companies from the Global South may face challenges for sustaining their competitive advantage in EU markets, particularly after 2026, due to their limited understanding of CE.