IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/annpce/v95y2024i2p477-504.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Work integration ambitions of startups in the circular economy

Author

Listed:
  • Wim Van Opstal
  • Lize Borms

Abstract

An increasing number of studies illustrate and estimate the potential of the circular economy to create new jobs, most particularly for vulnerable groups at the labor market. This creates collaborating opportunities for Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) and circular economy ventures. Since a shift to a circular economy requires new visions and strategies, startups are considered as powerful engines for the innovation processes needed to support a circular transition. Nevertheless, academic literature at the crossroads of the circular economy, work integration of target groups, and startups remains quasi non‐existent. In this paper we present results from survey‐data of startups with varying implementation levels of circular strategies, and assess their willingness to cooperate with WISEs, or to engage in other forms of target group employment. We find a strong positive relationship between the implementation of circular strategies and work integration ambitions among startups. Circular startups who need skills on production, transportation, and logistics seek collaboration with WISEs for both inner (repair and redesign) and outer circle (recycling) strategies. Our findings suggest that the circular social economy faces specific barriers that need tailor‐made enabling policies. We recommend WISEs to explicitly assess reskilling and upskilling opportunities while embracing the circular economy as a future‐proof economic activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Wim Van Opstal & Lize Borms, 2024. "Work integration ambitions of startups in the circular economy," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(2), pages 477-504, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:annpce:v:95:y:2024:i:2:p:477-504
    DOI: 10.1111/apce.12431
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/apce.12431
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/apce.12431?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alejandro Padilla-Rivera & Sara Russo-Garrido & Nicolas Merveille, 2020. "Addressing the Social Aspects of a Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Van Opstal, Wim & Deraedt, Eva & Gijselinckx, Caroline, 2009. "Monitoring Profile Shifts and Differences among Work Integration Social Enterprises in Flanders," MPRA Paper 16398, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. J. Brusselaers & K. Breemersch & T. Geerken & M. Christis & B. Lahcen & Y. Dams, 2022. "Correction to: Macroeconomic and environmental consequences of circular economy measures in a small open economy," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 68(3), pages 819-819, June.
    4. Shaike Marom & Robert N. Lussier, 2014. "A Business Success Versus Failure Prediction Model for Small Businesses in Israel," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 4(2), pages 63-81, December.
    5. Ali Pedram & Payam Pedram & Nukman Bin Yusoff & Shahryar Sorooshian, 2017. "Development of closed–loop supply chain network in terms of corporate social responsibility," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, April.
    6. Daniel Kahneman & Jack L. Knetsch & Richard H. Thaler, 1991. "Anomalies: The Endowment Effect, Loss Aversion, and Status Quo Bias," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 5(1), pages 193-206, Winter.
    7. J. Brusselaers & K. Breemersch & T. Geerken & M. Christis & B. Lahcen & Y. Dams, 2022. "Macroeconomic and environmental consequences of circular economy measures in a small open economy," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 68(2), pages 283-306, April.
    8. Małgorzata Lekan & Andrew E. G. Jonas & Pauline Deutz, 2021. "Circularity as Alterity? Untangling Circuits of Value in the Social Enterprise–Led Local Development of the Circular Economy," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 97(3), pages 257-283, May.
    9. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    10. Leen Gorissen & Karl Vrancken & Saskia Manshoven, 2016. "Transition Thinking and Business Model Innovation–Towards a Transformative Business Model and New Role for the Reuse Centers of Limburg, Belgium," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-23, January.
    11. Chhatwani, Malvika & Mishra, Sushanta Kumar & Varma, Arup & Rai, Himanshu, 2022. "Psychological resilience and business survival chances: A study of small firms in the USA during COVID-19," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 277-286.
    12. Mateusz Lewandowski, 2016. "Designing the Business Models for Circular Economy—Towards the Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-28, January.
    13. Filipe Santos, 2012. "A Positive Theory of Social Entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 111(3), pages 335-351, December.
    14. MAREK HUDON & BENJAMIN HUYBRECHTS & Bonno PEL & Tom BAULER, 2017. "A Transitions Studies Perspective On The Social Economy; Exploring Institutionalization And Capture In Flemish ‘Insertion’ Practices," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 88(2), pages 279-298, June.
    15. Vincent Moreau & Marlyne Sahakian & Pascal Griethuysen & François Vuille, 2017. "Coming Full Circle: Why Social and Institutional Dimensions Matter for the Circular Economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 497-506, June.
    16. Peter CUYPER & Laura JACOBS & Caroline GIJSELINCKX, 2015. "More than Work Integration Strategy for the Delimitation of a Population of Social Economy Actors for a Monitor of the Social economy in Flanders," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 86(2), pages 267-290, June.
    17. Saskia Crucke & Mirjam Knockaert, 2016. "When Stakeholder Representation Leads to Faultlines. A Study of Board Service Performance in Social Enterprises," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(5), pages 768-793, July.
    18. Patrick Schroeder & Kartika Anggraeni & Uwe Weber, 2019. "The Relevance of Circular Economy Practices to the Sustainable Development Goals," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(1), pages 77-95, February.
    19. Roger Spear & Eric Bidet, 2005. "Social enterprise for work integration in 12 european countries: a descriptive analysis," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 76(2), pages 195-231, June.
    20. Lahcen, Bart & Eyckmans, Johan & Rousseau, Sandra & Dams, Yoko & Brusselaers, Jan, 2022. "Modelling the circular economy: Introducing a supply chain equilibrium approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sabina Scarpellini, 2022. "Social impacts of a circular business model: An approach from a sustainability accounting and reporting perspective," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 646-656, May.
    2. Julia Romano Sanches & Adriana Hofmann Trevisan & Bruno Michel Roman Pais Seles & Camila Gonçalves Castro & Roberta Souza Piao & Henrique Rozenfeld & Janaina Mascarenhas, 2022. "Sustainable Circular Economy Strategies: An Analysis of Brazilian Corporate Sustainability Reporting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-26, May.
    3. Katherine Mansilla-Obando & Fabiola Jeldes-Delgado & Nataly Guiñez-Cabrera, 2022. "Circular Economy Strategies with Social Implications: Findings from a Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Animesh Ghosh & Prabha Bhola & Uthayasankar Sivarajah, 2022. "Emerging Associates of the Circular Economy: Analysing Interactions and Trends by a Mixed Methods Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-41, August.
    5. David Monciardini & Laura Rocca & Monica Veneziani, 2024. "Virtuous circles: Transformative impact and challenges of the social and solidarity circular economy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 642-660, February.
    6. Pina Puntillo, 2023. "Circular economy business models: Towards achieving sustainable development goals in the waste management sector—Empirical evidence and theoretical implications," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 941-954, March.
    7. Castro-Lopez, Adrian & Iglesias, Victor & Santos-Vijande, María Leticia, 2023. "Organizational capabilities and institutional pressures in the adoption of circular economy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    8. Chembessi Chedrak & Gohoungodji Paulin & Juste Rajaonson, 2023. "“A fine wine, better with age”: Circular economy historical roots and influential publications: A bibliometric analysis using Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS)," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(6), pages 1593-1612, December.
    9. José-Antonio Corral-Marfil & Núria Arimany-Serrat & Emma L. Hitchen & Carme Viladecans-Riera, 2021. "Recycling Technology Innovation as a Source of Competitive Advantage: The Sustainable and Circular Business Model of a Bicentennial Company," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-37, July.
    10. Gabi Försterling & Ronald Orth & Benjamin Gellert, 2023. "Transition to a Circular Economy in Europe through New Business Models: Barriers, Drivers, and Policy Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-40, May.
    11. Lucas Becerra & Sebastián Carenzo & Paula Juarez, 2020. "When Circular Economy Meets Inclusive Development. Insights from Urban Recycling and Rural Water Access in Argentina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-21, November.
    12. Doussoulin, Jean Pierre & Bittencourt, Mariana, 2022. "How effective is the construction sector in promoting the circular economy in Brazil and France? : A waste input-output analysis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 47-58.
    13. Jawaher Binsuwadan & Ghadda Yousif & Hiyam Abdulrahim & Hind Alofaysan, 2023. "The Role of the Circular Economy in Fostering Sustainable Economic Growth in the GCC," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    14. Mónica Duque-Acevedo & Luis Jesús Belmonte-Ureña & Natalia Yakovleva & Francisco Camacho-Ferre, 2020. "Analysis of the Circular Economic Production Models and Their Approach in Agriculture and Agricultural Waste Biomass Management," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-32, December.
    15. Luiz C. Terra dos Santos & Adrielle Frimaio & Biagio F. Giannetti & Feni Agostinho & Gengyuan Liu & Cecilia M. V. B. Almeida, 2023. "Integrating Environmental, Social, and Economic Dimensions to Monitor Sustainability in the G20 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    16. Arru, Brunella & Furesi, Roberto & Pulina, Pietro & Sau, Paola & Madau, Fabio A., 2022. "The Circular Economy in the Agri-food system: A Performance Measurement of European Countries," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 24(2), September.
    17. Patrizia Ghisellini & Ivana Quinto & Renato Passaro & Sergio Ulgiati, 2024. "Exploring environmental and social performances of circular start‐ups: An orientation and certification assessment," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 3222-3241, May.
    18. Ewa Mazur-Wierzbicka, 2021. "Towards Circular Economy—A Comparative Analysis of the Countries of the European Union," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-25, May.
    19. Thomas Tsalis & Alexandros I. Stefanakis & Ioannis Nikolaou, 2022. "A Framework to Evaluate the Social Life Cycle Impact of Products under the Circular Economy Thinking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-24, February.
    20. Daniel A. Salas & Paulina Criollo & Angel D. Ramirez, 2021. "The Role of Higher Education Institutions in the Implementation of Circular Economy in Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-27, August.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:annpce:v:95:y:2024:i:2:p:477-504. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1370-4788 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.