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Toward a Circular Economy in the Toy Industry: The Business Model of a Romanian Company

Author

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  • Irina Albastroiu Nastase

    (Department of Business, Consumer Sciences and Quality Management, Faculty of Business and Tourism, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Dacia Blvd., 41, District 1, RO-010404 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cristian Negrutiu

    (Business Administration Doctoral School, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Dacia Blvd., 41, District 1, RO-010404 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Mihai Felea

    (Department of Business, Consumer Sciences and Quality Management, Faculty of Business and Tourism, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Dacia Blvd., 41, District 1, RO-010404 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Carmen Acatrinei

    (Department of Marketing, Faculty of Marketing, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Dacia Blvd., 41, District 1, RO-010404 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Andrei Cepoi

    (Business Administration Doctoral School, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Dacia Blvd., 41, District 1, RO-010404 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Adrian Istrate

    (Business Administration Doctoral School, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Dacia Blvd., 41, District 1, RO-010404 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

Nowadays, more and more business organizations are encouraged to find ways to produce high-quality products that are offered to users for their temporary enjoyment and then redistributed or sent to the next user pending. This is done without being conditioned to believe that we need to own something, use it for certain functions for a limited amount of time, and then throw it away. Toys are a perfect candidate for this approach. Given the lack of case studies explaining how companies can design and implement a circular economy in practice, especially in the toy industry, this study aimed to develop a case study based on Evertoys, a start-up operating in Romania, which is a country where the circular economy is only in an infancy phase. This study’s objective was to analyze this business model from the circular economy perspective. Regarding the methodology, the work followed the research strategy of the case study, which was developed by analyzing the opportunities and challenges of this toy-as-a-service model and taking into consideration the components of the Business Model Canvas. Our findings indicated the presence of driving factors, as well as barriers, in the implementation of circular economy practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Irina Albastroiu Nastase & Cristian Negrutiu & Mihai Felea & Carmen Acatrinei & Andrei Cepoi & Adrian Istrate, 2021. "Toward a Circular Economy in the Toy Industry: The Business Model of a Romanian Company," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-25, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2021:i:1:p:22-:d:707589
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cristina Cauti?anu & Laura Asandului & Mioara Borza & Ciprian Turturean, 2018. "Quantitative Approach to Circular Economy in the OECD Countries," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 20(48), pages 262-262.
    2. Luca Fraccascia & Ilaria Giannoccaro & Abhishek Agarwal & Erik G. Hansen, 2019. "Business models for the circular economy: Opportunities and challenges," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 430-432, February.
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    4. repec:aud:audfin:v:20:y:2018:i:48:p:262 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Vasile Alecsandru Strat & Cristian Teodor & Andreea Simona Saseanu, 2018. "The Characterization of the Romanian Circular Economy’s Potential, at County Level," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 20(48), pages 278-278.
    6. Mihaela Ghenta & Aniela Matei, 2018. "SMEs and the Circular Economy: From Policy to Difficulties Encountered During Implementation," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 20(48), pages 294-294.
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