Assessing the social sustainability of circular economy practices: Industry perspectives from Italy and the Netherlands

Walker, Anna M.; Opferkuch, Katelin; Lindgreen, Erik Roos; Simboli, Alberto; Vermeulen, Walter J.V.; Raggi, Andrea

doi:10.1016/j.spc.2021.01.030

Cited by 102 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…As specifically concerns Italy, the existing studies on the CE mainly refer to large companies [113,114], which suggests that SMEs play a merely residual role in the transition towards the desired new business system. Consequently, a broad analysis of the CE in Italian SMEs is appropriate to fill this gap.…”

Section: Kirchherr Et Al (2017) [78]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing and Monitoring Circular Business Models: An Analysis of Italian SMEs

2021

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The transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE) is at the center of the debate among institutions, enterprises, practitioners, and scholars. Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with their high presence in the business environment, play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of CE principles. Therefore, this paper aims to understand the state of the CE among Italian SMEs, considering both their different sizes and sectors. This study investigates CE knowledge and application, strategic relevance, benefits from and barriers to the transition towards circular business models, and the use of CE-related performance indicators in management control and external reporting. Through an online survey carried out in cooperation with the Italian Confederation of Craft Trades and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (CNA), we collected primary data from 623 respondents. Findings revealed the existence of cultural, technological, market and financial barriers, which have hampered the adoption of circular practices among Italian SMEs. Poor understanding of CE potential, combined with difficulty in raising public and private funds to finance the transition from linear to circular, are the greatest problems. To overcome such issues, we recommend serious intervention by public institutions, trade and consumer associations, and the higher education system to develop a climate more favorable to the CE.

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Section: Kirchherr Et Al (2017) [78]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing and Monitoring Circular Business Models: An Analysis of Italian SMEs

2021

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“…This choice is coherent with the national and international political agenda related to CE [20,50]. In addition, some studies have argued the CE to have a role in the path towards social sustainability [17,51], especially from an occupational perspective.…”

Section: Circular Economymentioning

confidence: 62%

Circular Economy Business Models for the Tanzanian Coffee Sector: A Teaching Case Study

2021

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One of the major issues the agri-food supply chains is the considerable production of by-products, which are mostly discarded as wastes and dangerously landfilled. This problem is particularly acute in the coffee supply chain: coffee cultivation generates by-products and in quantities which are potentially dangerous for the environment. A circular economy business model aimed at the recovery of these by-products may represent an interesting solution in terms of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The goal of this paper was to provide teachers and educators with case material on circular business models that can be used for problem-based learning and case-based learning activities. The proposed case was built to address a real-world problematic situation related to the coffee supply chain. From a theoretical point of view, this study contributes to the literature on circular economy business models by providing a case study developed in the context of a developing country. Furthermore, the research entails practical implications since it shows managers and startuppers how to map a circular business model in all its components under the guidance of a conceptual framework.

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“…Accordingly, and along the lines with previous studies, we use socio-economic indicators to assess corporate social sustainability performance. However, criticisms on these social sustainability indicators include the blurred lines between the economic and social dimensions and the unstandardized nature of the assessment that prevent companies to benchmark against rivals, which is one of the primary goals of leading social assessment approaches [15]. Other authors (e.g., [22]) highlight the fact that there is no grade scale supporting the levels of corporate contribution to the well-being of their employees.…”

Section: Yearsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, evaluating the social sustainability of firms and sectors allows for more informed decision making regarding investment, product portfolios, and corporate programs, along with reporting firms' effect on the relevant SDGs [13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Accordingly, socio-economic indicators of sustainability are usually related to political institutions (e.g., distributional systems, fair taxation, open political systems and free associations) or economic institutions (e.g., land and resource ownership, property rights, prices and competition, as well as worker and consumer rights) [15]. Because achieving social sustainability requires that firms stimulate the well-being of their employees, rather than merely meet their basic needs [27], along the lines of [28], we argue that, to evaluate sectoral performance, the concept of social sustainability should be translated into metrics, by focusing on indicators that impact on prosperity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social Sustainability of Water and Waste Management Companies in Portugal

Santos

Moreira

2021

Sustainability

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The Sustainable Development Goals aim at balancing economic, social and environmental development. In this framework, social sustainability is key to tackle current challenges that hinder the maximization of social satisfaction. Yet, for many years, scholars have negleted the social dimension. A possible explanation may be the difficulty to measure social concepts such as well-being and prosperity. Thus, we argue that, to evaluate sectoral performance, the concept of social sustainability should be translated into metrics, by focusing on the indicators that impact on those social concepts. Consequently, time-series data from Quadros do Pessoal, PORDATA and SABI databases for the sector of Water Collection, Treatment and Distribution, Sanitation, Waste Management and Depollution, are consulted to analyze the evolution of those indicators and evaluate corporate performance concerning social sustainability in 2008–2019. In line with previous literature, we use average wages and employment as proxies for social sustainability. However, we introduce a new indicator, the average term for receipts to carry out an analysis from the stakeholders’ perspective. The results suggest that, especially as of 2017, sectoral firms appear to have reagained their momentum concerning social sustainability performance. This study provides the opportunity to uncover average sectoral trends on social sustainability and paves the way for future research exploring firms’ heterogeneity.

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Assessing the social sustainability of circular economy practices: Industry perspectives from Italy and the Netherlands

Cited by 102 publications

References 69 publications

Implementing and Monitoring Circular Business Models: An Analysis of Italian SMEs

Implementing and Monitoring Circular Business Models: An Analysis of Italian SMEs

Circular Economy Business Models for the Tanzanian Coffee Sector: A Teaching Case Study

Social Sustainability of Water and Waste Management Companies in Portugal

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