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Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs

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  • John Rincón-Moreno

    (School of Engineering, University of Navarra, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain)

  • Marta Ormazabal

    (School of Engineering, University of Navarra, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain)

  • Maria J. Álvarez

    (School of Engineering, University of Navarra, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain)

  • Carmen Jaca

    (School of Engineering, University of Navarra, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain)

Abstract

Defining the circular economy (CE) as a material and energy model coincides with the definition given by multiple authors in which Industrial Symbiosis (IS) has been deemed as a foundational strategy to support the implementation of the CE. The consumption of secondary materials is essential to achieve a successful transformation from a linear economy to a CE focused on IS practices. In this scenario, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a major role as stakeholders in developing CE systems as it is not possible to create this model with each company working in isolation. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the role played by relevant local stakeholders such as individual firms interacting in the development of a local CE system. This study aimed to study the challenges that SMEs face in developing a CE system. A case study is selected as a research strategy using a mixed-method approach: a sequential quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data collection techniques were employed for this research. It was observed that an absence of inter-organisational collaboration and a misunderstanding of the roles played by SMEs may impede the implementation of a local CE system level.

Suggested Citation

  • John Rincón-Moreno & Marta Ormazabal & Maria J. Álvarez & Carmen Jaca, 2020. "Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8423-:d:427214
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & Suhaiza Zailani & Yasanur Kayikci & John G. Keogh, 2023. "Examining Knowledge Diffusion in the Circular Economy Domain: a Main Path Analysis," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    3. J. Rincón-Moreno & M. Ormazábal & C. Jaca, 2022. "Stakeholder Perspectives in Transitioning to a Local Circular Economy: a Case Study in Spain," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    4. Nathalia Suchek & João J. Ferreira & Paula O. Fernandes, 2022. "A review of entrepreneurship and circular economy research: State of the art and future directions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2256-2283, July.
    5. Lucija Ažman Momirski & Barbara Mušič & Boštjan Cotič, 2021. "Urban Strategies Enabling Industrial and Urban Symbiosis: The Case of Slovenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, April.
    6. Stuart Danvers & Jonathan Robertson & Ambika Zutshi, 2023. "Conceptualizing How Collaboration Advances Circularity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-23, March.
    7. Choudhary, Piyush & Kumar Jain, Nikunj & Panda, Abinash, 2022. "Making small and medium enterprises circular economy compliant by reducing the single use plastic consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 448-462.
    8. Chedrak Chembessi & Christophe Beaurain & Geneviève Cloutier, 2022. "Analyzing Technical and Organizational Changes in Circular Economy (CE) Implementation with a TOE Framework: Insights from a CE Project of Kamouraska (Quebec)," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.

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