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Financial Strategies for Sustainability: Examining the Circular Economy Perspective

Author

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  • Ionela Munteanu

    (Department of Accounting, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania
    Faculty of Economic Studies, Ovidius University of Constanta, Aleea Universitatii no.1, 900470 Constanta, Romania)

  • Liliana Ionescu-Feleagă

    (Department of Accounting, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Bogdan Ștefan Ionescu

    (Department of Accounting, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

Circular economy (CE) research has advanced significantly in recent years in areas like environmental science, engineering, and technology. Governance presents CE strategies as imperative and compelling, often linked to efforts to achieve sustainable business development. However, the financial quantification of a CE is still underexplored and heterogeneous, with multiple research streams exploring the financial dimension. The aims of this study are twofold: (i) to analyze the productivity of the scientific literature and the conceptual evolution of circularity as it relates to financial strategies; and (ii) to formulate future research directions addressing a CE in close connection with financial sustainability knowledge. Bilbiometrix R-package 2023.12.1 and VOSviewer version 1.6.20 were used to analyze a sample of 279 articles retrieved from WoS and Scopus using the PRISMA protocol. The analysis covered the period 2010–2023, with the diachronic thematic analysis revealing four key themes: (1) CE and green financial performance; (2) environmental impact of CE; (3) performance approach of CE and metrics; (4) CE and sustainable development. Building on previous knowledge, we developed an integrated and multidisciplinary framework of CE embedded in financial performance. Future research agenda shaped by the emerging themes and research gaps can support managers, shareholders, or governance in incorporating CE policies into operational activities and strengthening sustainable circularity knowledge.

Suggested Citation

  • Ionela Munteanu & Liliana Ionescu-Feleagă & Bogdan Ștefan Ionescu, 2024. "Financial Strategies for Sustainability: Examining the Circular Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:20:p:8942-:d:1499677
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Iustin Cornel Petre & Kamer-Ainur Aivaz, 2024. "The Impact of Religious and Ethnic Diversity on Business and Public Policies Strategies," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 3, pages 156-162.
    2. Kamer-Ainur Aivaz & Dorin Jula & Octavia Moise & George Banghiore & Diane Paula Corina Vancea & Andreea Simona Saseanu, 2025. "Investigating the Key Factors Influencing the Profitability of Romanian Public Water Supply and Sewerage Services," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 27(70), pages 1209-1209, August.
    3. Pedro Antonio Martín-Cervantes & Parisa Ziarati & Pablo de Frutos Madrazo & Iza Gigauri, 2025. "Digital Marketing as a Driver of Change Towards the Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-24, June.
    4. Alexandra Maria Spanu, 2024. "Leadership and Organizational Culture in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Trends and Contributions," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 3, pages 163-170.
    5. Ahmed A. Bakhsh, 2026. "Agent‐Based Computable General Equilibrium Modeling for Environment Sustainability in a Circular Economy," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(S1), pages 1326-1340, January.
    6. Anamaria MIȘA & Kamer-Ainur AIVAZ, 2025. "Impact Of Training, Trust And Customer Satisfaction On The Reputation Of Banks In Romania," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 20(1), pages 125-141, April.

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