The role of local stakeholders in disseminating knowledge for supporting the circular economy: a network analysis approach

Ghinoi, Stefano; Silvestri, Francesco; Steiner, Bodo

doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2019.106446

Cited by 33 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 80 publications

(127 reference statements)

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“…Drawing from resource perspective , the network is considered as the facilitator for knowledge sharing and coordination with various stakeholders [ 42 , 43 ]. First, strategic partnerships built between large corporations and SMEs can be an effective approach.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proposing Circular Economy Ecosystem for Chinese SMEs: A Systematic Review

Min

Sawang

Kivits

2021

IJERPH

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Circular Economy (CE) has attracted so much attention around the world as it can contribute to the balance between economic development and environmental sustainability, to address the increasing critical resources scarcity and environmental issues. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China are a major driving force in the economy with 43 million SMEs in 2020. Most of them maintain the traditional economic development method of "take–use", without considering the environment. This has caused great harm to the environment and resource availability. Therefore, Chinese SMEs must adopt CE in their business to address this issue. The current study aims to explore the key barriers (lack of time, lack of human resources and finance) and enablers (e.g., network, innovation, and reputation) for Chinese SMEs CE adoption. The current study employs a systematic review approach with thematic analysis to identify the internal and external barriers and enablers of CE adoption among SMEs. Moreover, a CE ecosystem has been proposed for identifying the key actors in the CE system, which will be beneficial for policy-makers to take into account when drafting and adjusting CE laws and regulations.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proposing Circular Economy Ecosystem for Chinese SMEs: A Systematic Review

Min

Sawang

Kivits

2021

IJERPH

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“…Although the CE and its principles are easy to understand, fully implementing them has been difficult due to their complexity [15]. Promoting a CE involves different stakeholders working in networks of relations which has also been recognized in the literature on IS [19]. Therefore, this study uses the analytical framework for the transformation from a linear economy to a CE through an IS proposed by [22] wherein IS initiatives are utilised to implement a circular system.…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hofmann and Jaeger-Erben [18] suggest that research should be focused on the different facets of inter-organizational relationships amongst firm units to advance a collaborative value creation network. The focus on developing local CE systems becomes relevant because this local scale could easily be mobilised for collaborative action [19]. However, it seems that there is a lack of empirical studies on the role of local stakeholders such as individual firms working in collaborative groups in the development of a local CE system [20,21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs

et al. 2020

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Defining the circular economy (CE) as a material and energy model coincides with the definition given by multiple authors in which Industrial Symbiosis (IS) has been deemed as a foundational strategy to support the implementation of the CE. The consumption of secondary materials is essential to achieve a successful transformation from a linear economy to a CE focused on IS practices. In this scenario, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a major role as stakeholders in developing CE systems as it is not possible to create this model with each company working in isolation. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the role played by relevant local stakeholders such as individual firms interacting in the development of a local CE system. This study aimed to study the challenges that SMEs face in developing a CE system. A case study is selected as a research strategy using a mixed-method approach: a sequential quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data collection techniques were employed for this research. It was observed that an absence of inter-organisational collaboration and a misunderstanding of the roles played by SMEs may impede the implementation of a local CE system level.

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“…However, CE implementation through IS remains a niche paradigm, embraced by only a small number of companies within a limited number of industries in some areas of the world [17][18][19], and such a low level of implementation is a drawback to the advancement of the CE at a global scale [20]. One key factor that is claimed to be crucial for allowing the transformation from the linear model to a circular model through IS is a cooperation between stakeholders [21], insofar as some authors have argued that it is essential to encourage different stakeholders to increase uptake of this new model among companies [22]. Abreu and Ceglia [23] argue that implementing the CE through IS initiatives is vital to encourage business and non-business actors to collaborate to ensure complex synergies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Integration and coordination of various stakeholders also involve understanding their needs and operations and considering their role in the entire circular system by considering different contextual conditions [26]. Currently, it seems the research on the implementation of local CE systems and the roles played by stakeholders in developing such systems is lacking [22], and this has been partially explained by an absence of empirical studies that research these issues [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder Perspectives in Transitioning to a Local Circular Economy: a Case Study in Spain

2021

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The circular economy (CE) is now more imperative than ever due to several shortcomings humanity faces due to global economic disruptions. The CE might help initiate a virtuous circle whereby waste materials would be turned into resources for other companies to create closed-loop systems. However, the CE remains a niche paradigm embraced by only a small number of companies in some areas of the world. Some authors have argued that it is essential to encourage stakeholders at different implementation levels of a CE to increase the uptake of this new model among companies, and stakeholders may provide the required framework for the shift towards a circular model. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to answer the following research question: how can the transition towards the CE be accelerated from a ‘stakeholders’ perspective? The study was undertaken in the Spanish region of Basque Country, where a CE strategy is already in place at the regional level, and some companies are already delivering circular solutions. This approach was selected to help understand the lack of widespread adoption of CE initiatives in a local system despite having a regional CE strategy. Data were collected from respondents from various stakeholders and also from desk research to ensure their reliability. The results showed the relevance of understanding how stakeholders can help speed up the transition by proactively exploring new ways to create novel conditions to work together with a broad pool of stakeholders to deepen and scale up the CE implementation.

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The role of local stakeholders in disseminating knowledge for supporting the circular economy: a network analysis approach

Cited by 33 publications

References 80 publications

Proposing Circular Economy Ecosystem for Chinese SMEs: A Systematic Review

Proposing Circular Economy Ecosystem for Chinese SMEs: A Systematic Review

Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs

Stakeholder Perspectives in Transitioning to a Local Circular Economy: a Case Study in Spain

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