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Modern Circular Economy: Corporate Strategy, Supply Chain, and Industrial Symbiosis

Author

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  • Cristina Maranesi

    (Department of Business and Management, Luiss University, Viale Romania, 00197 Rome, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

  • Pietro De Giovanni

    (Department of Business and Management, Luiss University, Viale Romania, 00197 Rome, Italy
    X.ite Research Center on Economic Behavior and Technology, Viale Romania, 00197 Rome, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to the work.)

Abstract

This paper analyses the firms’ chances to consider circular economy as a part of the corporate strategy. The analysis of four Italian firms engaged in circular economy programs allows us to detect its connections with the corporate strategy, the real activities involved, the supply chain network ensuring circularity, the industrial symbiosis, as well as the links with performance. Our findings highlight that circular economy is a true business lever when the corporate strategy complements and supports its development. This allows firms to achieve high level targets that go beyond the traditional targets of social, environmental, and economic performance, and include circular supply chain, eco-innovations, and industrial symbiosis.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Maranesi & Pietro De Giovanni, 2020. "Modern Circular Economy: Corporate Strategy, Supply Chain, and Industrial Symbiosis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-25, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9383-:d:443427
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    8. Sara Romagnoli & Claudia Tarabu' & Behzad Maleki Vishkaei & Pietro De Giovanni, 2023. "The Impact of Digital Technologies and Sustainable Practices on Circular Supply Chain Management," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-17, January.
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    10. Muhammad Salman Pathan & Edana Richardson & Edgar Galvan & Peter Mooney, 2023. "The Role of Artificial Intelligence within Circular Economy Activities—A View from Ireland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, June.
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    13. Victoria Akberdina & Wadim Strielkowski & Natalia Linder & Sergey Kashirin & Lyudmila Shmeleva, 2023. "Information Technology and Digital Sufficiency for Building the Sustainable Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, January.
    14. Tadas Radavičius & Arvid van Der Heide & Wolfram Palitzsch & Tom Rommens & Julius Denafas & Manuela Tvaronavičienė, 2021. "Circular solar industry supply chain through product technological design changes," Post-Print hal-03583961, HAL.
    15. Ayisha Siddiqua & Maisa El Gamal & Waheed Kareem Abdul & Lama Mahmoud & Fares M Howari, 2022. "E-Device Purchase and Disposal Behaviours in the UAE: An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, April.
    16. Al-kahtib, Ayman & Alghababsheh, Mohammad & Khattab, Mais, 2025. "The role of organizational ambidexterity and frugal innovation in enhancing circular supply chains: The effect of artificial intelligence capabilities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    17. Eleonora Santos & Inês Lisboa, 2022. "The Effects of Subsidies on MSW Treatment Companies: Financial Performance and Policy Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-22, March.
    18. Yamoah, Fred A. & Sivarajah, Uthayasankar & Mahroof, Kamran & Peña, Iker González, 2022. "Demystifying corporate inertia towards transition to circular economy: A management frame of reference," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    19. Dharmendra Kumar & Saurabh Agrawal & Rajesh Kumar Singh & Raj Kumar Singh, 2023. "Coordination of circular supply chain for online recommerce platform in industry 4.0 environment: a game-theoretic approach," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 2081-2103, December.
    20. Tiago Hennemann Hilario da Silva & Simone Sehnem, 2024. "Industry 4.0 technologies as a motivator for the circular economy in foodtechs: A stakeholder perspective," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 4633-4648, October.

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