Explanatory factors of the transition of SMEs towards the circular economy: a study of the manager's decision to take action[Facteurs explicatifs de la transition des PME vers l'économie circulaire : étude du passage à l'action du dirigeant]

The ever-increasing consumption of resources on a planet with limited capacity, environmental and biodiversity degradation, various forms of pollution, and climate change are prompting us to question the global economic model. Exceeding six of the nine planetary boundaries identified by the Stockholm Resilience Centre necessitates a transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE). However, this shift towards circularity remains incomplete today, particularly among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which, due to their number and economic weight, are essential to any economic system transition. The objective of this research is to understand the factors that lead an SME to initiate a transition towards a CE and the obstacles it encounters. The research utilizes the theory of planned behavior and seeks to explain managers' intentions to move towards a CE through their attitudes towards CE, the subjective norms of their environment that influence them, and perceived behavioral control—that is, their perception of their ability to engage in CE strategies. An exploratory qualitative study is being conducted. Semi-structured interviews are being carried out with SME managers who have already begun a transition to EC. The initial results reveal explanatory factors regarding managers' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control toward EC.