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Success Drivers for Implementing Circular Economy: A Case Study from the Building Sector in Colombia

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  • Luz Elba Torres-Guevara

    (International School of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía 140013, Colombia)

  • Vanessa Prieto-Sandoval

    (Business Department, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia)

  • Andres Mejia-Villa

    (International School of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía 140013, Colombia)

Abstract

This paper contributes to the circular economy (CE) literature by investigating the drivers of success of the CE implementation in the construction sector and how those drivers can complement any implementation process in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To do so, we analyzed the case of TECMO Estructuras Metálicas, using the methodology proposed by Jaca and colleagues to implement the CE in SMEs. It is a Colombian company with more than five decades of experience in the manufacture and installation of steel and aluminum structures for small and large building and infrastructure projects. The data were collected between August 2019 and November 2020 through direct communication with the company via workshops, meetings, and company reports. This research found that five drivers are relevant for implementing CE in the construction sector: fertile ecosystem, management commitment, identification of valuable materials, green teams, and CE intermediaries. Moreover, this study also contributes to teaching the implementation of the CE in companies, since it shows that through the methodology presented, implementation projects can be developed in postgraduate classes.

Suggested Citation

  • Luz Elba Torres-Guevara & Vanessa Prieto-Sandoval & Andres Mejia-Villa, 2021. "Success Drivers for Implementing Circular Economy: A Case Study from the Building Sector in Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1350-:d:488433
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Alvarado-Bawab, María Bernarda & Marenco, Sandra Villa, 2023. "Industrial perspective regarding circular economy activities in Atlántico-Colombia," Economia agro-alimentare / Food Economy, Italian Society of Agri-food Economics/Società Italiana di Economia Agro-Alimentare (SIEA), vol. 25(1), April.
    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. 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.
    5. Roope Husgafvel & Daishi Sakaguchi, 2021. "Circular Economy Development in the Construction Sector in Japan," World, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-26, December.
    6. Mar?a Bernarda Alvarado-Bawab & Sandra Villa Marenco, 2023. "Industrial perspective regarding circular economy activities in Atlántico-Colombia," Economia agro-alimentare, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 25(1), pages 191-117.
    7. Iniobong Beauty John & Samuel A. Adekunle & Clinton O. Aigbavboa, 2023. "Adoption of Circular Economy by Construction Industry SMEs: Organisational Growth Transition Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-13, March.

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