Unleashing the Sustainable Transition of Circular Economy: A Case Study of SMEs Tapioca Industry in Lampung, Indonesia

The circular economy paradigm has gained significant attention for its alignment with sustainability principles and its potential to decouple economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation. There is a lack of comprehensive assessment frameworks for circular economy implementation. Through a mixed-methods approach, including literature review, surveys, key informant interviews, and analysis of social, economic, and environmental benefits, this paper aims to Integrate a monitoring framework for implementing Circular Economy (CE) in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) within the tapioca industry. This study proposes a comprehensive framework called " RESOLVE-SF by integrating the Resolve model, which focuses on generating resolutions or solutions to problems, with an analysis of social, economic, and environmental benefits and SDGs achievement. However, the research highlights a social deficiency in terms of gender equality, revealing a gender wage gap and limited opportunities for women for particular job roles within the industry. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers seeking to promote sustainable practices and achieve a more circular and resilient economy. These include advocating the transition to renewable energy sources, implementing efficient water management practices, addressing gender inequality and social inclusion, and aligning policy frameworks with the SDGs.