How do scholars approach the circular economy? A systematic literature review

Merli, Roberto; Preziosi, Michele; Acampora, Alessia

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.112

Cited by 990 publications

(764 citation statements)

References 126 publications

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“…CE concept states that the economy should shift from a linear model on the basis of production-consumption-disposal towards a circular model, where the reuse of waste is maximized and the use of natural resources reduced (Tukker, 2015). Scholars have recently devoted more attention to CE, and the academic literature reveals active debate at both EU and international levels (McDowall et al, 2017;Merli, Preziosi, & Acampora, 2017). If CE can be considered a policy concept, the practical application of industrial symbiosis initiatives can be regarded as a method of disseminating it.…”

Section: Paradoxical Tensions and Cementioning

confidence: 99%

Paradoxical tensions and corporate sustainability: A focus on circular economy business cases

Daddi

Ceglia

Bianchi

et al. 2019

Corp Soc Responsibility Env

104

101

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The paradoxical tensions in corporate sustainability is hotly debated in the literature. Some authors have underlined the need for empirical works in this field, and the circular economy could help to bridge this gap. The circular economy creates contrasting challenges for companies, which lead to paradoxical tensions. On the one hand, companies pursue circular economy goals-such as the use of recycled raw materials-thus highlighting their environmental commitment. On the other hand, such usage may affect the quality and consequently the competitiveness of products. Our study investigates the acknowledgement of these tensions and the strategies adopted by companies to manage them. Using a multiple case study approach, we focus on an Italian sample of three manufacturing sectors: paper production, textile/clothing, and leather. The results show the different defensive and proactive strategies adopted by firms highlighting, in one case, a relevant opportunity exploited by a company considered in the sample. Our paper contributes to the existing knowledge on paradoxical tensions management in companies involved in corporate sustainability inviting scholars towards new research avenues focused on circular economy. KEYWORDS industrial symbiosis, paper industrial cluster, paradox theory, recycling, tannery industrial cluster

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Section: Paradoxical Tensions and Cementioning

confidence: 99%

Paradoxical tensions and corporate sustainability: A focus on circular economy business cases

Daddi

Ceglia

Bianchi

et al. 2019

Corp Soc Responsibility Env

104

101

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Circular economy (CE) is a key strategy to achieve corporate sustainability (Murray, Skene, & Haynes, ). Scholars and practitioners argue that CE is a viable and scalable growth model that can radically improve resource productivity and reverse current trends to overcome global sustainability challenges (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, ; Ghisellini, Cialani, & Ulgiati, ; Merli, Preziosi, & Acampora, ). In theory, the ideas underpinning the concept of CE seem very simple and convincing and point to a straightforward strategy (Haas, Krausmann, Wiedenhofer, & Heinz, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: Insights from circular economy business cases

2020

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Circular economy is a key strategy to achieve corporate sustainability. However, so far, most firms are unable to translate the concept of circular economy into their corporate strategies, business models, and operations. Some scholars have argued that firms need to develop new (and dynamic) capabilities for circular economy implementation. Yet there is a little discussion on how firms can develop such capabilities. Notably, there is a paucity of research on specific skills, processes, and organizational activities (microfoundations of dynamic capabilities) that may facilitate circular economy implementation. To address this knowledge gap, using a multiple‐case studies approach, we explore microfoundations of dynamic capabilities in successful circular economy business cases. Our findings indicate that dynamic capabilities positively contribute to circular economy implementation. Our case studies show that case firms identified circular economy opportunities by using four microfoundations of sensing capability. Further, case firms acted on the identified opportunities by using simultaneously three microfoundations of seizing capability and four microfoundations of reconfiguring capability. This paper contributes to the literature on the relations between dynamic capabilities and corporate sustainability by providing insights on how sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring dynamic capabilities act in successful operationalization of circular economy strategies.

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“…By 2018, publications addressing conceptualization and measurement of CE become the heart of CE research, in addition to some new topics. [4,40,[68][69][70] from diverse disciplines, focus on conceptualizing and reviewing the CE literature. [71] from Environment and Engineering address the socio-economic embeddedness of CE.…”

Section: Main Path Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Literature Network Analysis of Existing Themes and Emerging Research Trends in Circular Economy

et al. 2020

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The debate about Circular Economy (CE) has been increasingly enriched by academics through a vast array of contributions, based on several theoretical perspectives and emanating from several research domains. However, current research still falls short of providing a holistic and broader view of CE, one that combines existing themes and emerging research trends. Accordingly, based on a Systematic Literature Network Analysis, this paper tackles this gap. First, a Citation Network Analysis is used to unearth the development of the CE literature based on papers' references, whilst the Main Path is traced to detect the seminal papers in the field through time. Second, to consider the literature in its broader extent, a Keywords Co-Occurrence Network Analysis is conducted based on papers' keywords, whereby all papers in the dataset, including the non-cited papers, are assessed. Additionally, a Global Citation Score analysis is conducted to uncover the recent breakthrough research, in addition to the Burst Analysis used to detect the dynamic development of CE literature over time. By doing so, the paper explores the development of the CE body of knowledge, reveals its dynamic evolution over time, detects its main theoretical perspectives and research domains, and highlights its emerging topics. Our findings unfold the evidence of eight main trends of research about CE, unearth the path through which the CE concept emerged and has been growing, and concludes with promising avenues for future research.Sustainability 2020, 12, 1633 2 of 24 of CE, we explore the process of knowledge conception, dissemination and progress through a dynamic lens, with the aim to unearth its ongoing evolution. Accordingly, our main research question is: What are the existing themes and emerging research trends in Circular Economy?With this aim, we conduct a Systematic Literature Network Analysis (SLNA), which consists of a novel literature review method based on a dynamic approach that allows for uncovering how academics have addressed a specific topic over time since its early appearance. In other words, the SLNA results would complement the already existing systematic literature reviews about CE, in the sense that they supplement the reader with a synthesis of the dynamic development of the field, and a set of CE research development themes based on objective measurements.Scholars designed the SLNA as a quantitative-based method that builds on both systematic literature review and bibliographic network analysis [8]. The SLNA allows for embracing the knowledge of a field in its broader view and inherent value by identifying the main paths and key issues shaping its growth in a more rigorous way compared to conventional literature reviews [9]. Indeed, a conventional literature review usually relies on content analyses, which omit the dynamic evolution of the research. Moreover, the selection and categorization of literature relies on subjective, rather than objective tools. On the contrary, the SLNA relies on objective tools and algorithms (e...

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How do scholars approach the circular economy? A systematic literature review

Cited by 990 publications

References 126 publications

Paradoxical tensions and corporate sustainability: A focus on circular economy business cases

Paradoxical tensions and corporate sustainability: A focus on circular economy business cases

Microfoundations of dynamic capabilities: Insights from circular economy business cases

A Systematic Literature Network Analysis of Existing Themes and Emerging Research Trends in Circular Economy

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