IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i3p888-d204442.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Financial Resources for the Circular Economy: A Perspective from Businesses

Author

Listed:
  • Alfonso Aranda-Usón

    (Department of Accounting and Finance and CIRCE Institute, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50005, Spain)

  • Pilar Portillo-Tarragona

    (Department of Accounting and Finance University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50005, Spain)

  • Luz María Marín-Vinuesa

    (Department of Economics and Business, La Rioja University, Logroño 26006, Spain)

  • Sabina Scarpellini

    (Department of Accounting and Finance and CIRCE Institute, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza 50005, Spain)

Abstract

In recent years, a number of case studies of the circular economy in business have been analysed by academics. However, some areas of research are little explored at the micro level, such as the study of the characteristics of the financial resources applied to investments to introduce circular activities in businesses. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to define the resources applied to circular activities by firms. To describe the influence of financial resources on achieving a more advanced circular economy in business is also an objective of this paper. Using a sample of Spanish companies, we applied a partial least square structural equation model (PLS-SEM) to enhance the knowledge about financial resource management in the framework of the resource-based view. We find that availability of funds, quality of the firm’s own financial resources and public subsidies have a positive effect in stimulating the implementation of circular economy initiatives in businesses.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfonso Aranda-Usón & Pilar Portillo-Tarragona & Luz María Marín-Vinuesa & Sabina Scarpellini, 2019. "Financial Resources for the Circular Economy: A Perspective from Businesses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:888-:d:204442
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/3/888/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/3/888/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jörg Henseler, 2018. "Partial least squares path modeling: Quo vadis?," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 1-8, January.
    2. Bronwyn H. Hall, 1992. "Investment and Research and Development at the Firm Level: Does the Source of Financing Matter?," NBER Working Papers 4096, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Vasileios Rizos & Arno Behrens & Wytze Van der Gaast & Erwin Hofman & Anastasia Ioannou & Terri Kafyeke & Alexandros Flamos & Roberto Rinaldi & Sotiris Papadelis & Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers & Corrado , 2016. "Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(11), pages 1-18, November.
    4. Abolhosseini, Shahrouz & Heshmati, Almas, 2014. "The main support mechanisms to finance renewable energy development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 876-885.
    5. Horbach, Jens & Rammer, Christian & Rennings, Klaus, 2012. "Determinants of eco-innovations by type of environmental impact — The role of regulatory push/pull, technology push and market pull," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 112-122.
    6. Bronwyn H. Hall, 2010. "The Financing of Innovative Firms," Review of Economics and Institutions, Università di Perugia, vol. 1(1).
    7. Thiam Hee Ng, . "Bond Financing for Renewable Energy in Asia," Chapters, in: Shigeru Kimura & Youngho Chang & Yanfei Li (ed.), Financing Renewable Energy Development in East Asia Summit Countries A Primer of Effective Policy Instruments, chapter 11, pages 321-342, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).
    8. repec:bla:jfinan:v:43:y:1988:i:2:p:271-81 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Rigdon, Edward E., 2016. "Choosing PLS path modeling as analytical method in European management research: A realist perspective," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 598-605.
    10. Silvia Magri, 2009. "The financing of small innovative firms: the Italian case," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(2), pages 181-204.
    11. Pilar Portillo-Tarragona & Sabina Scarpellini & Jose M. Moneva & Jesus Valero-Gil & Alfonso Aranda-Usón, 2018. "Classification and Measurement of the Firms’ Resources and Capabilities Applied to Eco-Innovation Projects from a Resource-Based View Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, September.
    12. Gouldson, Andy & Kerr, Niall & Millward-Hopkins, Joel & Freeman, Mark C. & Topi, Corrado & Sullivan, Rory, 2015. "Innovative financing models for low carbon transitions: Exploring the case for revolving funds for domestic energy efficiency programmes," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 739-748.
    13. Ng, Thiam Hee & Tao, Jacqueline Yujia, 2016. "Bond financing for renewable energy in Asia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 509-517.
    14. De Marchi, Valentina, 2012. "Environmental innovation and R&D cooperation: Empirical evidence from Spanish manufacturing firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 614-623.
    15. Kim, Seokchin & Lee, Hyunchul & Kim, Joongi, 2016. "Divergent effects of external financing on technology innovation activity: Korean evidence," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 22-30.
    16. Hitaj, Claudia, 2013. "Wind power development in the United States," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 65(3), pages 394-410.
    17. Marcus Wagner, 2005. "How to reconcile environmental and economic performance to improve corporate sustainability: corporate environmental strategies in the European paper industry," Post-Print hal-00279158, HAL.
    18. Raphaëlle Stewart & Monia Niero, 2018. "Circular economy in corporate sustainability strategies: A review of corporate sustainability reports in the fast‐moving consumer goods sector," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(7), pages 1005-1022, November.
    19. Florian Schuberth & Jörg Henseler & Theo K. Dijkstra, 2018. "Partial least squares path modeling using ordinal categorical indicators," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 9-35, January.
    20. Ana-Maria Zamfir & Cristina Mocanu & Adriana Grigorescu, 2017. "Circular Economy and Decision Models among European SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-15, August.
    21. Jean BELIN & Jens HORBACH & Vanessa OLTRA, 2011. "Determinants and Specificities of Eco-innovations – An Econometric Analysis for the French and German Industry based on the Community Innovation Survey," Cahiers du GREThA (2007-2019) 2011-17, Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée (GREThA).
    22. Christoph P. Kiefer & Pablo Del Río González & Javier Carrillo‐Hermosilla, 2019. "Drivers and barriers of eco‐innovation types for sustainable transitions: A quantitative perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 155-172, January.
    23. Tiberio Daddi & Niccolò Maria Todaro & Maria Rosa De Giacomo & Marco Frey, 2018. "A Systematic Review of the Use of Organization and Management Theories in Climate Change Studies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 456-474, May.
    24. Bobinaite, Viktorija & Tarvydas, Dalius, 2014. "Financing instruments and channels for the increasing production and consumption of renewable energy: Lithuanian case," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 259-276.
    25. Wagner, Marcus, 2007. "On the relationship between environmental management, environmental innovation and patenting: Evidence from German manufacturing firms," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 1587-1602, December.
    26. Donato Masi & Steven Day & Janet Godsell, 2017. "Supply Chain Configurations in the Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-22, September.
    27. Shmueli, Galit & Ray, Soumya & Velasquez Estrada, Juan Manuel & Chatla, Suneel Babu, 2016. "The elephant in the room: Predictive performance of PLS models," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 4552-4564.
    28. Albort-Morant, Gema & Leal-Millán, Antonio & Cepeda-Carrión, Gabriel, 2016. "The antecedents of green innovation performance: A model of learning and capabilities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(11), pages 4912-4917.
    29. Demirel, Pelin & Kesidou, Effie, 2011. "Stimulating different types of eco-innovation in the UK: Government policies and firm motivations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(8), pages 1546-1557, June.
    30. Dorothea Schafer & Axel Werwatz & Volker Zimmermann, 2004. "The Determinants of Debt and (Private) Equity Financing: The Case of Young, Innovative SMEs from Germany," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 225-248.
    31. Marcel C. Hollander & Conny A. Bakker & Erik Jan Hultink, 2017. "Product Design in a Circular Economy: Development of a Typology of Key Concepts and Terms," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 517-525, June.
    32. Dorothea Schäfer & Axel Werwatz & Volker Zimmermann, 2004. "The Determinants of Debt and (Private-) Equity Financing in Young Innovative SMEs: Evidence from Germany," Discussion Papers of DIW Berlin 411, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research.
    33. Lee, Neil & Sameen, Hiba & Cowling, Marc, 2015. "Access to finance for innovative SMEs since the financial crisis," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 370-380.
    34. Marcus Linder & Mats Williander, 2017. "Circular Business Model Innovation: Inherent Uncertainties," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 182-196, February.
    35. Mateusz Lewandowski, 2016. "Designing the Business Models for Circular Economy—Towards the Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-28, January.
    36. Aschhoff, Birgit & Sofka, Wolfgang, 2009. "Innovation on demand--Can public procurement drive market success of innovations?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 1235-1247, October.
    37. Claudia Ghisetti & Susanna Mancinelli & Massimiliano Mazzanti & Mariangela Zoli, 2017. "Financial barriers and environmental innovations: evidence from EU manufacturing firms," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(0), pages 131-147, June.
    38. Korhonen, Jouni & Honkasalo, Antero & Seppälä, Jyri, 2018. "Circular Economy: The Concept and its Limitations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 37-46.
    39. Zengwei Yuan & Jun Bi & Yuichi Moriguichi, 2006. "The Circular Economy: A New Development Strategy in China," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 10(1‐2), pages 4-8, January.
    40. Cepeda Carrión, Gabriel & Henseler, Jörg & Ringle, Christian M. & Roldán, José Luis, 2016. "Prediction-oriented modeling in business research by means of PLS path modeling: Introduction to a JBR special section," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 4545-4551.
    41. Blyth, William & McCarthy, Rory & Gross, Robert, 2015. "Financing the UK power sector: Is the money available?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 607-622.
    42. Ángela Triguero & María C. Cuerva & Carlos Álvarez-Aledo, 2017. "Environmental Innovation and Employment: Drivers and Synergies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-22, November.
    43. Grazia Cecere & Nicoletta Corrocher & Maria Luisa Mancusi, 2016. "Financial constraints and public funding for eco-innovation: Empirical evidence on European SMEs," DISCE - Working Papers del Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza def046, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE).
    44. Elsayed, Khaled & Paton, David, 2005. "The impact of environmental performance on firm performance: static and dynamic panel data evidence," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 395-412, September.
    45. Sarstedt, Marko & Hair, Joseph F. & Ringle, Christian M. & Thiele, Kai O. & Gudergan, Siegfried P., 2016. "Estimation issues with PLS and CBSEM: Where the bias lies!," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(10), pages 3998-4010.
    46. Kuen‐Hung Tsai & Yi‐Chuan Liao, 2017. "Sustainability Strategy and Eco‐Innovation: A Moderation Model," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 426-437, May.
    47. Doran, Justin & Ryan, Geraldine, 2012. "Regulation and Firm Perception, Eco-Innovation and Firm Performance," MPRA Paper 44578, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    48. Luiten, Esther E. M. & Blok, Kornelis, 2003. "Stimulating R&D of industrial energy-efficient technology; the effect of government intervention on the development of strip casting technology," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(13), pages 1339-1356, October.
    49. Juan Alberto Aragon‐Correa & Dante I. Leyva‐de la Hiz, 2016. "The Influence of Technology Differences on Corporate Environmental Patents: A Resource‐Based Versus an Institutional View of Green Innovations," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(6), pages 421-434, September.
    50. Frisari, Gianleo & Stadelmann, Martin, 2015. "De-risking concentrated solar power in emerging markets: The role of policies and international finance institutions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 12-22.
    51. Safarzyńska, Karolina & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M., 2017. "Financial stability at risk due to investing rapidly in renewable energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 12-20.
    52. Horbach, Jens, 2008. "Determinants of environmental innovation--New evidence from German panel data sources," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 163-173, February.
    53. Ekholm, Tommi & Ghoddusi, Hamed & Krey, Volker & Riahi, Keywan, 2013. "The effect of financial constraints on energy-climate scenarios," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 562-572.
    54. Mariale Moreno & Carolina De los Rios & Zoe Rowe & Fiona Charnley, 2016. "A Conceptual Framework for Circular Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-15, September.
    55. James R. Brown & Steven M. Fazzari & Bruce C. Petersen, 2009. "Financing Innovation and Growth: Cash Flow, External Equity, and the 1990s R&D Boom," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 64(1), pages 151-185, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tat Dat Bui & Mohd Helmi Ali & Feng Ming Tsai & Mohammad Iranmanesh & Ming-Lang Tseng & Ming K Lim, 2020. "Challenges and Trends in Sustainable Corporate Finance: A Bibliometric Systematic Review," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-26, October.
    2. Pilar Portillo-Tarragona & Sabina Scarpellini & Jose M. Moneva & Jesus Valero-Gil & Alfonso Aranda-Usón, 2018. "Classification and Measurement of the Firms’ Resources and Capabilities Applied to Eco-Innovation Projects from a Resource-Based View Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Peiró-Signes, Ángel & Segarra-Oña, Marival & Trull-Domínguez, Óscar & Sánchez-Planelles, Joaquín, 2022. "Exposing the ideal combination of endogenous–exogenous drivers for companies’ ecoinnovative orientation: Results from machine-learning methods," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    4. Antonella Biscione & Raul Caruso & Annunziata de Felice, 2021. "Environmental innovation in European transition countries," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(5), pages 521-535, January.
    5. Jana Hojnik, 2017. "In Pursuit of Eco-innovation," UPP Monograph Series, University of Primorska Press, number 978-961-7023-53-4.
    6. Jose García‐Quevedo & Elisenda Jové‐Llopis & Ester Martínez‐Ros, 2020. "Barriers to the circular economy in European small and medium‐sized firms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2450-2464, September.
    7. João Leitão & Sónia de Brito & Serena Cubico, 2019. "Eco-Innovation Influencers: Unveiling the Role of Lean Management Principles Adoption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-27, April.
    8. Marzucchi, Alberto & Montresor, Sandro, 2017. "Forms of knowledge and eco-innovation modes: Evidence from Spanish manufacturing firms," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 208-221.
    9. Sanni, Maruf, 2018. "Drivers of eco-innovation in the manufacturing sector of Nigeria," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 303-314.
    10. Alexandra Rese & Anke Kutschke & Daniel Baier, 2016. "Analyzing The Relative Influence Of Supply Side, Demand Side And Regulatory Factors On The Success Of Collaborative Energy Innovation Projects," International Journal of Innovation Management (ijim), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 20(02), pages 1-43, February.
    11. Isabel‐María García‐Sánchez & Isabel Gallego‐Álvarez & José‐Luis Zafra‐Gómez, 2021. "Do independent, female and specialist directors promote eco‐innovation and eco‐design in agri‐food firms?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1136-1152, February.
    12. Valero-Gil, Jesus & Surroca, Jordi A. & Tribo, Josep A. & Gutierrez, Leopoldo & Montiel, Ivan, 2023. "Innovation vs. standardization: The conjoint effects of eco-innovation and environmental management systems on environmental performance," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(4).
    13. JS Keshminder & Pablo del Río, 2019. "The missing links? The indirect impacts of drivers on eco‐innovation," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(5), pages 1100-1118, September.
    14. Maldonado-Guzmán, Gonzalo & Pinzón-Castro, Sandra Yesenia, 2022. "Financial resources, eco-innovation and sustainability performance in automotive industry," TEC Empresarial, School of Business, Costa Rica Institute of Technology (ITCR), vol. 16(2), pages 34-54.
    15. Ghisetti, Claudia & Pontoni, Federico, 2015. "Investigating policy and R&D effects on environmental innovation: A meta-analysis," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 57-66.
    16. Christoph P. Kiefer & Pablo Del Río González & Javier Carrillo‐Hermosilla, 2019. "Drivers and barriers of eco‐innovation types for sustainable transitions: A quantitative perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 155-172, January.
    17. Durán-Romero, Gemma & López, Ana M. & Beliaeva, Tatiana & Ferasso, Marcos & Garonne, Christophe & Jones, Paul, 2020. "Bridging the gap between circular economy and climate change mitigation policies through eco-innovations and Quintuple Helix Model," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    18. Maria Rosa De Giacomo & Raimund Bleischwitz, 2020. "Business models for environmental sustainability: Contemporary shortcomings and some perspectives," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3352-3369, December.
    19. Justin Doran & Geraldine Ryan, 2016. "The Importance of the Diverse Drivers and Types of Environmental Innovation for Firm Performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(2), pages 102-119, February.
    20. Pereira, Ángeles & Vence, Xavier, 2012. "Key business factors for eco-innovation: an overview of recent firm-level empirical studies," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:888-:d:204442. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.