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The transition towards to the circular economy: European SMEs' trajectories

Author

Listed:
  • Alfonso Marino

    (University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Italy)

  • Paolo Pariso

    (University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Italy)

Abstract

The transition towards to the circular economy of European SMEs' is one of the items on the agenda in Europe. The aim of the paper is evaluate if this drive should transform our SMEs and keep European production sustainable and competitive. The paper presented a comparison analysis on the circular economy SMEs transition in the 13 sectors EU Member States. The study highlights and evaluates the transition in 13 sectors with highest SMEs performance. Five trajectories have been identified and evaluated in order to investigate, the transition degree of each sector towards to the circular economy. The analysis shows a heterogeneous transition with both sectors and Countries in which the presence of best practices, have been realized, but, can not be transfer to other sectors. A series of barriers to the transition from linear to circular economy are composed in the SMEs sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfonso Marino & Paolo Pariso, 2021. "The transition towards to the circular economy: European SMEs' trajectories," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 8(4), pages 431-455, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ssi:jouesi:v:8:y:2021:i:4:p:431-455
    DOI: 10.9770/jesi.2021.8.4(26)
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walter R. Stahel, 2016. "The circular economy," Nature, Nature, vol. 531(7595), pages 435-438, March.
    2. Parida, Vinit & Burström, Thommie & Visnjic, Ivanka & Wincent, Joakim, 2019. "Orchestrating industrial ecosystem in circular economy: A two-stage transformation model for large manufacturing companies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 715-725.
    3. Oecd, 2017. "Making the Slovak Republic a more resource efficient economy: Country Study," OECD Environment Policy Papers 7, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jha, Amit Prakash & Mahajan, Aarushi & Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Kumar, Piyush, 2022. "Renewable energy proliferation for sustainable development: Role of cross-border electricity trade," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 1189-1199.
    3. Nathalia Suchek & João J. Ferreira & Paula O. Fernandes, 2022. "A review of entrepreneurship and circular economy research: State of the art and future directions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2256-2283, July.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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