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

John Rincón-Moreno, Marta Ormazabal, Maria J. Álvarez and Carmen Jaca
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John Rincón-Moreno: School of Engineering, University of Navarra, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
Marta Ormazabal: School of Engineering, University of Navarra, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
Maria J. Álvarez: School of Engineering, University of Navarra, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain
Carmen Jaca: School of Engineering, University of Navarra, Paseo Manuel de Lardizábal 13, 20018 San Sebastian, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-18

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: circular economy; industrial symbiosis; SMEs; implementation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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