IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/manrev/v75y2025i1d10.1007_s11301-023-00380-2.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

SMEs on the way to a circular economy: insights from a multi-perspective review

Author

Listed:
  • Tarlan Ahmadov

    (Tallinn University of Technology)

  • Susanne Durst

    (Tallinn University of Technology
    Reykjavik University)

  • Wolfgang Gerstlberger

    (Tallinn University of Technology)

  • Elisabeth Kraut

    (Tallinn University of Technology)

Abstract

The transition to a circular economy (CE) has garnered widespread attention as a solution to address economic, environmental, and social challenges. While large enterprises and policymakers have made steps in adopting CE practices, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face unique challenges due to limited resources and expertise. Understanding the multi-level perspective (MLP) is essential for SMEs to successfully transition to a CE, as it considers factors at the micro, meso, and macro levels. However, current research often focuses on single levels, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon through systematic research. To address this need, this study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) using the MLP framework to analyse existing research on SMEs' transition to a CE. The study aims to identify macro-, meso-, and micro-level factors, actors, and mechanisms influencing the transition process. The SLR contributes to academic understanding by developing a conceptual model that elucidates the dynamics of the circular transition process within SMEs. Additionally, it provides practical recommendations to support SMEs in navigating the transition successfully. The adoption of the MLP framework empowers SMEs, policymakers, industry associations, and consumers to play their roles effectively in driving the CE transition. While the study acknowledges certain limitations, it opens avenues for future research and enhancement of CE practices in SMEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Tarlan Ahmadov & Susanne Durst & Wolfgang Gerstlberger & Elisabeth Kraut, 2025. "SMEs on the way to a circular economy: insights from a multi-perspective review," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 75(1), pages 289-322, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:manrev:v:75:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11301-023-00380-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11301-023-00380-2
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11301-023-00380-2
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11301-023-00380-2?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Small and medium-sized enterprises; Circular economy; Multi-level perspective; Transition; Systematic literature review;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:spr:manrev:v:75:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11301-023-00380-2. 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.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.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.