Antecedents of absorptive capacity in the development of circular economy business models of small and medium enterprises

Marrucci, Luca; Iannone, F.; Daddi, Tiberio; Iraldo, Fabio

doi:10.1002/bse.2908

Cited by 42 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…Synthetic, mineral materials (e.g. metals and alloys) flow in technical cycles, meaning that they are conceived to be used in subsequent cycles of production and consumption; biological or renewable materials, instead, return to the natural environment to restore and build natural capital (Ellen MacArthur Foundation [EMF] & McKinsey, 2012; Marucci et al, 2021).…”

Section: Circular Economymentioning

confidence: 99%

Circular economy business models as resilient complex adaptive systems

Angelis

2022

Bus Strat Env

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Broad consensus seems to have emerged on the circular economy as a plausible and desirable solution to build prosperity while respecting ecological boundaries. However, its implementation in industry is slow paced. Whilst the systemic nature of the innovation required and barriers to implementation in complex sustainability transitions partially explain why this is the case, reflecting on the contribution of the growing scholarly literature on circular business models to orient management practice is also relevant. In fact, despite the existence of a fairly voluminous scholarly literature on the subject, practitioners are either uncertain or struggling about how to implement circular economy strategies and models. Using an integrative research approach to theory building and drawing on systems theory, this article proposes a resilient complex adaptive system view of circular business models. The resulting framework is a stepping-stone to overcoming conceptual ambiguities and construct fallacies in the way circular business models are typified.

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Section: Circular Economymentioning

confidence: 99%

Circular economy business models as resilient complex adaptive systems

Angelis

2022

Bus Strat Env

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“…In fact, Alonso-Muñoz et al (2021) considered the use of ACAP in the framework of the circular economy, even though they focussed on supply chain management. While Marrucci et al (2021c) limited the analysis on the connections between ACAP and circular economy to a qualitative assessment. To date, most studies have focussed on the relationship between ACAP and environmental, economic and eco-innovation performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The circular economy, environmental performance and environmental management systems: the role of absorptive capacity

Marrucci

Daddi

Iraldo

2021

JKM

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Purpose Despite the general interest in the circular economy, organisations have difficulties in implementing circular practices. Developing absorptive capacity (ACAP) may foster circularity among organisations. The paper aims to shed light on relationship between ACAP and organisational performance. Design/methodology/approach To empirically investigate the contribution of ACAP in circular economy implementation, the authors analysed a European sample of more than 800 Eco-Management and Audit Scheme-registered organisations through partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings The analysis demonstrates that ACAP and the underlying organisational activities of a firm significantly facilitate the implementation of a circular economy and the internalisation of an environmental management system (EMS), which consequently improve the overall performance of organisations. The authors found that the diffusion of the circular economy in the organisations’ environment does not affect their commitment to implement a circular economy. Originality/value The study expands the academic literature by framing the concept of the circular economy with ACAP theory, thereby highlighting the contribution of acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation. The results also provide useful insights for practitioners highlighting how organisations with an environmental certification can identify and pursue opportunities deriving from a circular economy. Finally, the research contributes to the debate on the effect of internalising EMSs and how ACAP improves economic performance, environmental performance and reputation.

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“…Govindan and Hasanagic (2018) systematically reviewed the literature in order to identify circular economy barriers, while Ormazabal et al (2018) suggested two different categories of barriers: hard barriers and human‐based barriers. The significant upfront investment cost, the lack of awareness or sense of urgency have been identified as implementation barriers (Marrucci, Iannone, et al, 2021). In addition, Hopkinson et al (2018) demonstrated the need “to develop competencies and capabilities in order to address complex and highly dynamic factors.” Dynamic capabilities could support organisations in the structural changes required to achieve corporate sustainability and circular economy.…”

Section: Theoretical Framework and Research Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do dynamic capabilities matter? A study on environmental performance and the circular economy in European certified organisations

2022

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Organisations face barriers in the transition towards a circular economy. Environmental management systems have often been adopted to tackle environmental challenges, but, more recently, scholars have proposed dynamic capabilities as a strategy to foster circular economy initiatives. Considering the level of internalisation of the environmental management system, we investigated the contribution of dynamic capabilities to organisation performance and circular economy implementation. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling, we analysed more than 800 European organisations registered with the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme. Our results proved that dynamic capabilities contribute to the internalisation of the environmental management system, which consequently improves the overall organisation performance and circular economy adoption. In addition, while dynamic capabilities directly influence the circular economy and environmental performance of an organisation, EMAS internalisation is crucial for a better economic performance and environmental reputation. Lastly, we assessed the contribution of sensing, seizing and reconfiguring capabilities to the internalisation of the environmental management standard proving their crucial role in the integration of the standard's requirements. Our study highlights the scarce linkages between the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme and the circular economy by suggesting how organisations can identify and pursue circular economy opportunities through dynamic capabilities.

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Antecedents of absorptive capacity in the development of circular economy business models of small and medium enterprises

Cited by 42 publications

References 94 publications

Circular economy business models as resilient complex adaptive systems

Circular economy business models as resilient complex adaptive systems

The circular economy, environmental performance and environmental management systems: the role of absorptive capacity

Do dynamic capabilities matter? A study on environmental performance and the circular economy in European certified organisations

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