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Sustainability and Quality Management in the Italian Luxury Furniture Sector: A Circular Economy Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Marica Barbaritano

    (Department of Economics, Society, Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Saffi 42, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

  • Laura Bravi

    (Department of Economics, Society, Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Saffi 42, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

  • Elisabetta Savelli

    (Department of Economics, Society, Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Via Saffi 42, 61029 Urbino, Italy)

Abstract

The growing attention paid to global environmental risks has gradually raised interest, both on the agendas of firms and governments towards the development of new business models such as Circular Economy. This study is focused on the luxury furniture industry and it is aimed at investigating how much furniture companies know about Circular Economy practices, what they specifically do for implementing them and what factors motivate, support or hinder their adoption. The role of product and process certifications in developing such sustainable practices is also analyzed, given their importance for implementing environmentally sustainable practices. The research method is based on a qualitative multiple case study carried out on four Italian companies operating in the luxury furniture industry. A worthy degree of awareness and knowledge of Circular Economy principles emerged from the analysis. Nevertheless, furniture companies analyzed are still little involved in Circular Economy practices, especially concerning reuse and recycle actions, which are particularly important within this perspective. Similarly, very little use of process and product certifications emerged from the study. Therefore, a potential gap seems to arise between the positive attitude towards Circular Economy practices and their actual implementation, which suggests useful implications for both institutions and managers involved in sustainable development processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Marica Barbaritano & Laura Bravi & Elisabetta Savelli, 2019. "Sustainability and Quality Management in the Italian Luxury Furniture Sector: A Circular Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:11:p:3089-:d:236117
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    1. Daniel Holzer & Claudia Mair-Bauernfeind & Michael Kriechbaum & Romana Rauter & Tobias Stern, 2023. "Different but the Same? Comparing Drivers and Barriers for Circular Economy Innovation Systems in Wood- and Plastic-Based Industries," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 983-1011, June.
    2. Anbesh Jamwal & Sushma Kumari & Rajeev Agrawal & Monica Sharma & Ismail Gölgeci, 2024. "Unlocking Circular Economy Through Digital Transformation: the Role of Enabling Factors in SMEs," International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 24-36, June.
    3. Davide Bruno & Marinella Ferrara & Felice D’Alessandro & Alberto Mandelli, 2022. "The Role of Design in the CE Transition of the Furniture Industry—The Case of the Italian Company Cassina," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, July.
    4. Luis Diaz‐Balteiro & Carlos Romero & Silvestre García de Jalón, 2022. "An analysis of the degree of circularity of the wood products industry in Europe," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(4), pages 1350-1363, August.
    5. Radosław Wolniak, 2019. "The Level of Maturity of Quality Management Systems in Poland—Results of Empirical Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Carina Pasqualotto & Daniela Callegaro-De-Menezes & Cornelius Stephanus Lodewyk Schutte, 2023. "An Overview and Categorization of the Drivers and Barriers to the Adoption of the Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, July.
    7. Shashi & Piera Centobelli & Roberto Cerchione & Amit Mittal, 2021. "Managing sustainability in luxury industry to pursue circular economy strategies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 432-462, January.
    8. Jakub Jasiński & Michał Żabiński, 2022. "Quality Management and Sustainable Development in Local Communes – Evidence from Poland," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 763-782, September.
    9. Agnieszka Dudziak & Monika Stoma & Arkadiusz J. Derkacz, 2022. "Circular Economy in the Context of Food Losses and Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
    10. Anne P. M. Velenturf, 2021. "A Framework and Baseline for the Integration of a Sustainable Circular Economy in Offshore Wind," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-41, September.
    11. Gilbert Silvius & Aydan Ismayilova & Vicente Sales-Vivó & Micol Costi, 2021. "Exploring Barriers for Circularity in the EU Furniture Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-25, October.
    12. Nathalia Suchek & João J. Ferreira & Paula O. Fernandes, 2022. "A review of entrepreneurship and circular economy research: State of the art and future directions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2256-2283, July.

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