IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/ijogbc/v18y2023i2d10.1007_s42943-023-00073-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Circular and Digital Systems in SMEs: An Assessment of the Past and Present Literature for Future Research Directions

Author

Listed:
  • Ashutosh Samadhiya

    (O.P. Jindal Global University)

  • Anil Kumar

    (London Metropolitan University)

  • Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes

    (The University of Derby)

Abstract

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of every economy since they fuel economic expansion. As a result of the global demand for products that are both innovative and sustainable, SMEs are being put under pressure to integrate digital and circular systems. To analyse the roles that SMEs play in digital and circular systems, the current study conducts a bibliometric and content analysis of 92 publications. The current study concludes, after conducting an exhaustive literature review, that SMEs are making haste to integrate digital and circular systems in an effort to create innovations that are more profitable and that will survive longer. The study also goes into the seminal articles in the discipline to have a more in-depth understanding of the pioneering experiments that were conducted. The findings indicate that SMEs are more interested in digital systems than circular systems. This makes sense, given that digitalisation is utilised more frequently than the practices of the circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashutosh Samadhiya & Anil Kumar & Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes, 2023. "Circular and Digital Systems in SMEs: An Assessment of the Past and Present Literature for Future Research Directions," International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 114-127, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijogbc:v:18:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s42943-023-00073-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s42943-023-00073-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s42943-023-00073-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s42943-023-00073-3?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eller, Robert & Alford, Philip & Kallmünzer, Andreas & Peters, Mike, 2020. "Antecedents, consequences, and challenges of small and medium-sized enterprise digitalization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 119-127.
    2. Vanessa Prieto‐Sandoval & Carmen Jaca & Javier Santos & Rupert J. Baumgartner & Marta Ormazabal, 2019. "Key strategies, resources, and capabilities for implementing circular economy in industrial small and medium enterprises," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(6), pages 1473-1484, November.
    3. Singh, Rajesh Kumar & Kumar, Anil & Garza-Reyes, Jose Arturo & de Sá, Marcelo M., 2020. "Managing operations for circular economy in the mining sector: An analysis of barriers intensity," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    4. Pereira, Vijay & Nandakumar, M.K. & Sahasranamam, Sreevas & Bamel, Umesh & Malik, Ashish & Temouri, Yama, 2022. "An exploratory study into emerging market SMEs’ involvement in the circular Economy: Evidence from India’s indigenous Ayurveda industry," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 188-199.
    5. Malik, Ashish & Sharma, Piyush & Sharma, Piyush & Vinu, Ajayan & Karakoti, Ajay & Kaur, Kamalpreet & Gujral, Harpreet Singh & Munjal, Surender & Laker, Benjamin, 2022. "Circular economy adoption by SMEs in emerging markets: Towards a multilevel conceptual framework," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 605-619.
    6. Glock, Christoph H. & Grosse, Eric H., 2021. "The impact of controllable production rates on the performance of inventory systems: A systematic review of the literature," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(3), pages 703-720.
    7. Christian F. Durach & Joakim Kembro & Andreas Wieland, 2017. "A New Paradigm for Systematic Literature Reviews in Supply Chain Management," Journal of Supply Chain Management, Institute for Supply Management, vol. 53(4), pages 67-85, October.
    8. Matarazzo, Michela & Penco, Lara & Profumo, Giorgia & Quaglia, Roberto, 2021. "Digital transformation and customer value creation in Made in Italy SMEs: A dynamic capabilities perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 642-656.
    9. Giotopoulos, Ioannis & Kontolaimou, Alexandra & Korra, Efthymia & Tsakanikas, Aggelos, 2017. "What drives ICT adoption by SMEs? Evidence from a large-scale survey in Greece," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 60-69.
    10. Ardito, Lorenzo & Raby, Simon & Albino, Vito & Bertoldi, Bernardo, 2021. "The duality of digital and environmental orientations in the context of SMEs: Implications for innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 44-56.
    11. Bag, Surajit & Dhamija, Pavitra & Bryde, David J. & Singh, Rajesh Kumar, 2022. "Effect of eco-innovation on green supply chain management, circular economy capability, and performance of small and medium enterprises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 60-72.
    12. Chaudhuri, Atanu & Subramanian, Nachiappan & Dora, Manoj, 2022. "Circular economy and digital capabilities of SMEs for providing value to customers: Combined resource-based view and ambidexterity perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 32-44.
    13. Rohit Agrawal & Vishal Ashok Wankhede & Anil Kumar & Arvind Upadhyay & Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes, 2021. "Nexus of circular economy and sustainable business performance in the era of digitalization," International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 71(3), pages 748-774, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Manish Mohan Baral & Subhodeep Mukherjee & Rajesh Kr Singh & Venkataiah Chittipaka & Yigit Kazancoglu, 2023. "Exploring antecedents for the circular economy capability of micro, small and medium enterprises: An empirical study," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(8), pages 5785-5806, December.
    2. Tarlan Ahmadov & Susanne Durst & Wolfgang Gerstlberger & Elisabeth Kraut, 2025. "SMEs on the way to a circular economy: insights from a multi-perspective review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 75(1), pages 289-322, February.
    3. Castro-Lopez, Adrian & Iglesias, Victor & Santos-Vijande, María Leticia, 2023. "Organizational capabilities and institutional pressures in the adoption of circular economy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    4. Plekhanov, Dmitry & Franke, Henrik & Netland, Torbjørn H., 2023. "Digital transformation: A review and research agenda," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 821-844.
    5. Menten, Steffi & Smits, Armand & Kok, Robert A.W. & Lauche, Kristina & van Gils, Maarten, 2025. "External resourcing for digital innovation in manufacturing SMEs," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    6. Peiyan Zhou & Shuya Zhou & Ming Zhang & Shujuan Miao, 2022. "Executive Overconfidence, Digital Transformation and Environmental Innovation: The Role of Moderated Mediator," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-28, May.
    7. Chwiłkowska-Kubala, Anna & Cyfert, Szymon & Malewska, Kamila & Mierzejewska, Katarzyna & Szumowski, Witold, 2023. "The impact of resources on digital transformation in energy sector companies. The role of readiness for digital transformation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    8. Kun Wang & Bing Chen & Yuhong Li, 2024. "Technological, process or managerial innovation? How does digital transformation affect green innovation in industrial enterprises?," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 1-32, February.
    9. Zahoor, Nadia & Zopiatis, Anastasios & Adomako, Samuel & Lamprinakos, Grigorios, 2023. "The micro-foundations of digitally transforming SMEs: How digital literacy and technology interact with managerial attributes," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    10. Malik, Ashish & Pereira, Vijay & Budhwar, Pawan & Varma, Arup & Del Giudice, Manlio, 2022. "Sustainable innovations in an indigenous Indian Ayurvedic MNE," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 402-413.
    11. Li, Ganglei & Shao, Yunfei, 2023. "How do top management team characteristics affect digital orientation? Exploring the internal driving forces of firm digitalization," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    12. Jianhua Zhu & Julien S. Baker & Zhiting Song & Xiao-Guang Yue & Wenqi Li, 2023. "Government regulatory policies for digital transformation in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises: an evolutionary game analysis," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, December.
    13. Yuchong Hu & Yifan Pan & Miao Yu & Peishen Chen, 2024. "Navigating Digital Transformation and Knowledge Structures: Insights for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 16311-16344, December.
    14. Chaudhuri, Atanu & Subramanian, Nachiappan & Dora, Manoj, 2022. "Circular economy and digital capabilities of SMEs for providing value to customers: Combined resource-based view and ambidexterity perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 32-44.
    15. Muhammad Bilal & Zhao Xicang & Wu Jiying & Jan Muhammad Sohu & Sadaf Akhtar & Muhammad Iatzaz Ul Hassan, 2025. "Digital Transformation and SME Innovation: A Comprehensive Analysis of Mediating and Moderating Effects," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 1153-1182, March.
    16. Roy, Sanjit K. & Tehrani, Ali N. & Pandit, Ameet & Apostolidis, Chrysostomos & Ray, Subhasis, 2025. "AI-capable relationship marketing: Shaping the future of customer relationships," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    17. Malik, Ashish & Budhwar, Pawan & Kandade, Kiran, 2022. "Nursing excellence: A knowledge-based view of developing a healthcare workforce," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 472-483.
    18. Crespo, Nuno Fernandes & Crespo, Cátia Fernandes & Silva, Graça Miranda & Nicola, Maura Bedin, 2023. "Innovation in times of crisis: The relevance of digitalization and early internationalization strategies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    19. Devika Kannan & Alireza Shamekhi Amiri & Mayssam Tarighi Shaayesteh & Arash Khalili Nasr & Hassan Mina, 2024. "Unveiling barriers to the integration of blockchain‐based circular economy and Industry 5.0 in manufacturing industries: A strategic prioritization approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 7855-7886, December.
    20. Merín-Rodrigáñez, Joan & Dasí, Àngels & Alegre, Joaquín, 2024. "Digital transformation and firm performance in innovative SMEs: The mediating role of business model innovation," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:ijogbc:v:18:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1007_s42943-023-00073-3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.