Fostering circular economy in small and medium‐sized enterprises: The role of social capital, adaptive capacity, entrepreneurial orientation and a pro‐sustainable environment
Alberto Alcalde‐Calonge, Pablo Ruiz‐Palomino, Francisco José Sáez‐Martínez
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study addresses the challenges faced by small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in undertaking sustainability projects due to limited resources and explores the factors influencing SMEs' adoption of circular economy (CE) practices, an area under‐researched in literature. Analysing data from 205 SMEs in Spain's forest bioeconomy sector using fuzzy sets (fs/QCA), the study finds that internal and external social capital, coupled with adaptive capacity, are crucial influences, particularly when SMEs exhibit an entrepreneurial culture. Conversely, if SMEs do not have an entrepreneurial orientation or the environment is not pro‐sustainable, these three characteristics may lead to low CE adoption. Thus, the study emphasizes SMEs' imperative to cultivate social capital, enhance adaptive capacity, and embrace innovation and risk‐taking to leverage internal and external resources and meet environmental demands, thereby reducing costs and time in adopting CE practices. Additionally, it underscores policymakers' pivotal role in fostering a pro‐sustainable environment, being critical for SME engagement in CE practices.
期刊介绍:
Business Strategy and the Environment (BSE) is a leading academic journal focused on business strategies for improving the natural environment. It publishes peer-reviewed research on various topics such as systems and standards, environmental performance, disclosure, eco-innovation, corporate environmental management tools, organizations and management, supply chains, circular economy, governance, green finance, industry sectors, and responses to climate change and other contemporary environmental issues. The journal aims to provide original contributions that enhance the understanding of sustainability in business. Its target audience includes academics, practitioners, business managers, and consultants. However, BSE does not accept papers on corporate social responsibility (CSR), as this topic is covered by its sibling journal Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. The journal is indexed in several databases and collections such as ABI/INFORM Collection, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOBASE, Emerald Management Reviews, GeoArchive, Environment Index, GEOBASE, INSPEC, Technology Collection, and Web of Science.