Towards a more circular economy: exploring the awareness, practices, and barriers from a focal firm perspective

Garza-Reyes, Jose Arturo; Masi, Donato; Kumar, Vikas; Godsell, Janet

Abstract

© 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. The circular economy (CE) proposes an economic framework based on circular flows of products and materials. Transition towards a CE is underway, therefore, understanding the nature and state of this transition is important for creating effective policies and business strategies. Some studies have focused on specific contexts and pockets of good practice. This exploratory, survey-based study of 77 companies investigates the shift towards the CE using a taxonomy of practices and barriers. Results show that firms favour practices related to resource and energy utilisation efficiency, while practices related to investment recovery, green purchasing and customer cooperation are less prevalent. Eco-design and internal environmental management practices have a medium level of implementation. The significant upfront investment cost, lack of awareness or sense of urgency were identified as implementation barriers. Results suggest the CE is driven by economic not environmental considerations, and the deployment of practices remains within a firm rather than across the supply chain.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 22, 2017
• Online Publication Date: May 21, 2018
• Publication Date: Apr 26, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 27, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 21, 2019
• Journal: Production Planning and Control
• Print ISSN: 0953-7287
• Electronic ISSN: 1366-5871
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 539-550
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2018.1449246
• Keywords: circular economy, exploratory, practices, barriers, awareness
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/888942
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2018.1449246
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Production and Planning Control on 21 May 2018, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09537287.2018.1449246
• Contract Date: Apr 27, 2017