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Driving the Transition to a Circular Economic Model: A Systematic Review on Drivers and Critical Success Factors in Circular Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Davide Aloini

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Riccardo Dulmin

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Valeria Mininno

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

  • Alessandro Stefanini

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
    IN4ACT ERA Chair, School of Economics and Business, Kaunas University of Technology, 44249 Kaunas, Lithuania)

  • Pierluigi Zerbino

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

The circular economy (CE) is arising as a novel economic system that is restorative by design. In light of its capability to boost sustainable economic development and to cope with environmental challenges, it has recently attracted increasing attention from academics, practitioners, policymakers, and intergovernmental organizations. Despite the wide speculation on this issue, the scientific literature lacks a wide-ranging, systematic, and updated identification and classification of the main drivers and Critical Success Factors of CE initiatives, which appears increasingly necessary to facilitate future scientific work, practical implementations, and policy guidelines. With this aim, this paper develops a systematic literature review by starting with over 400 manuscripts. A final set of 55 selected papers was selected for singling out and classifying drivers and Critical Success Factors in the CE context. The results may provide clear indications for further research, may help business organizations in evaluating CE initiatives, and may guide policy makers in developing and refining CE normative frameworks.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Aloini & Riccardo Dulmin & Valeria Mininno & Alessandro Stefanini & Pierluigi Zerbino, 2020. "Driving the Transition to a Circular Economic Model: A Systematic Review on Drivers and Critical Success Factors in Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10672-:d:465658
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    2. Omar Alhawari & Usama Awan & M. Khurrum S. Bhutta & M. Ali Ülkü, 2021. "Insights from Circular Economy Literature: A Review of Extant Definitions and Unravelling Paths to Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-22, January.
    3. Govindan, Kannan, 2023. "How digitalization transforms the traditional circular economy to a smart circular economy for achieving SDGs and net zero," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    4. Natacha Klein & Tomás B. Ramos & Pauline Deutz, 2022. "Factors and strategies for circularity implementation in the public sector: An organisational change management approach for sustainability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 509-523, May.
    5. Lukas Alexander Benz, 2022. "Critical Success Factors for Circular Business Model Innovation from the Perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
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    7. Alessia Romani & Valentina Rognoli & Marinella Levi, 2021. "Design, Materials, and Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing in Circular Economy Contexts: From Waste to New Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-23, June.
    8. Jing Shao & Cedric Aneye & Alyona Kharitonova & Wei Fang, 2023. "Essential innovation capability of producer‐service enterprises towards circular business model: Motivators and barriers," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4548-4567, November.
    9. Joanicjusz Nazarko & Ewa Chodakowska & Łukasz Nazarko, 2022. "Evaluating the Transition of the European Union Member States towards a Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-24, May.
    10. Sobhi Mejjaouli, 2022. "Internet of Things based Decision Support System for Green Logistics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-23, November.
    11. Daniela Rybarova & Katarina Remenova & Maria Kmety Bartekova & Helena Majduchova, 2023. "Analysis of the Attitudes of Central European Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises towards Adaptation to the Low-Carbon Economy and Its Implementation Barriers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-13, November.
    12. 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).

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