Knowledge Agora

Title	Environmental sustainability and circular economy in SMEs: a qualitative approach from the Spanish experience
ID_Doc	2887
Authors	Pinuer, FV; Andreu, JL; Belbeze, PL
Title	Environmental sustainability and circular economy in SMEs: a qualitative approach from the Spanish experience
Year	2024
Published	International Journal Of Entrepreneurship & Small Business, 51, 3
Abstract	The need for companies to define sustainability-based strategies has gained more relevance in modern society. In lieu, this study examines environmental sustainability (ES), the implementation of circular economy (CE) practices, and their conceptual relationship with SME managers. The methodology employed is in-depth interviews applied to SME managers of Catalonia (Spain), a prominent business area in Europe. This study reveals the slow incorporation of ES in SMEs through CE tools such as recycle, recovery, and reuse in the final stages of their production process. The knowledge about CE tools and their potential, the low pressure from customers regarding environmental issues, and the lack of communication and incentives to adopt ES norms can explain this behaviour. The development of environmental public policies for SMEs and an ecosystem that allows the exchange of resources and collaboration help decrease these companies' overall resource use.
PDF

Similar Articles

ID	Score	Article
3622		Dorado, AB; Leal, GG; Vila, RD Environmental policy and corporate sustainability: The mediating role of environmental management systems in circular economy adoption(2022)Corporate Social Responsibility And Environmental Management, 29, 4
4175		Dey, PK; Malesios, C; Chowdhury, S; Saha, K; Budhwar, P; De, D Adoption of circular economy practices in small and medium-sized enterprises: Evidence from Europe(2022)
2965		Prieto-Sandoval, V; Jaca, C; Santos, J; Baumgartner, RJ; Ormazabal, M Key strategies, resources, and capabilities for implementing circular economy in industrial small and medium enterprises(2019)Corporate Social Responsibility And Environmental Management, 26, 6
3719		Dey, PK; Malesios, C; De, D; Budhwar, P; Chowdhury, S; Cheffi, W Circular economy to enhance sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises(2020)Business Strategy And The Environment, 29, 6
16519		Horvath, B; Magda, R Possible bottlenecks in the strategic management of environmentally engaged companies - Transition to the world of circular businesses(2017)
3884		Barón, A; de Castro, R; Giménez, G Circular Economy Practices among Industrial EMAS-Registered SMEs in Spain(2020)Sustainability, 12, 21
1853		Mura, M; Longo, M; Zanni, S Circular economy in Italian SMEs: A multi-method study(2020)
4191		Arsawan, IWE; Koval, V; Suhartanto, D; Hariyanti, NKD; Polishchuk, N; Bondar, V Circular economy practices in SMEs: aligning model of green economic incentives and environmental commitment(2024)International Journal Of Productivity And Performance Management, 73, 3
1018		Prieto-Sandoval, V; Torres-Guevara, LE; Ormazabal, M; Jaca, C Beyond the Circular Economy Theory: Implementation Methodology for Industrial SMEs(2021)Journal Of Industrial Engineering And Management-Jiem, 14, 3
28984		Palombi, G; Schiaroli, V; Fraccascia, L; Nonino, F Identifying barriers and good practices for implementing circular economy principles in small and medium enterprises(2024)