| Abstract |
PurposeThis study aims to identify and understand critical success factors for implementing and sustaining circular economy (CE) practices in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More precisely, this study examines the complex interplay between micro-, meso- and macro-level success factors that are deemed critical for implementing and sustaining CE practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a two-stage methodology that combines a comprehensive literature review and an interview study with 12 Swedish manufacturing SMEs that implement CE practices.FindingsThe study identifies and categorizes success factors for implementing and sustaining CE practices in manufacturing SMEs. Based on the findings, a holistic framework is proposed that takes into account multiple perspectives, i.e. at the micro, meso and macro levels. This framework enables a deeper understanding and thus a more nuanced discussion of the complexity inherent in the transition to a CE from the perspective of manufacturing SMEs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search results (the initial search yielded a substantial number of articles from both databases):Scopus: 1,650 articles.Web of Science (WOS): 1,743 articles.Implementation of inclusion criteria:Document type (to ensure the relevance and quality of the sources, only articles classified as "Article", "Review Article" or "Early Access" were considered):Scopus: Reduced to 1,240 articles.WOS: Reduced to 1,618 articles.Language filter (articles were filtered to include only those published in English, ensuring accessibility and consistency in the analysis):Scopus: Further reduced to 1,232 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 1,608 articles.Subject category (to narrow the focus to relevant fields, articles were filtered by specific categories, namely, business and management).Scopus: Further reduced to 274 articles.WOS: Further reduced to 148 articles.Duplicate removal (duplicates across both databases were identified and removed to ensure each article was unique):This step removed 64 articles, resulting in a total of 358 unique articles.Step 3: final selection processAbstract and title review: a review of the abstracts and titles of all 358 articles was conducted to assess their relevance to the research aim. This process involved removing articles that did not meet the study's specific focus on success factors, enablers, drivers and facilitators of the CE. This review process resulted in the exclusion of 264 articles, leaving a total of 94 articles.Consensus and final list: the remaining 94 articles were then subjected to a final review and selection process, which involved joint sessions with all authors. This collaborative approach ensured that each selected article was relevant and of high quality, aligned with the research objectives. Through these joint sessions, 72 additional articles were removed based on further scrutiny and consensus among the authors. The final list comprised 22 articles that were deemed most relevant for the study and its aim.Assignment to levels: the success factors identified from the final list of articles were categorized into the three distinct levels, i.e. micro, meso and macro. This categorization facilitated a structured analysis and understanding of the different factors influencing CE initiatives at various scales.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.Step 1: identification of relevant keywords Initial keyword formulation:Drawing from the extensive prior knowledge and expertise of the authors in the field of CE, as well as a thorough review of existing literature, a list of relevant keywords was generated. The primary focus was on identifying key terms that are pivotal to the success and facilitation of CE initiatives. Keywords such as "success factors", "enablers", "drivers" and "facilitators" were selected due to their relevance in the context of CE.Search query (the finalized search string used for database queries was):"circular economy" AND ("success factor*" OR "enabler*" OR "driver*" OR "facilitator*").Step 2: records search in databases Database selection:Two comprehensive academic databases, Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus, were selected for the literature search. These databases are renowned for their extensive coverage of peer-reviewed journals and high-quality academic papers, making them ideal for this study.Initial search result |
