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Innovations and the circular economy: a national and regional perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Davide Antonioli

    (University of Ferrara, Italy)

  • Davide Antonioli

    (Sustainability Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies (SEEDS), Italy)

  • Elisa Chioatto

    (University of Ferrara, Italy)

  • Massimiliano Mazzanti

    (University of Ferrara, Italy)

Abstract

The introduction of innovative practices compatible with the objectives of the circular economy is one of the main enablers for transforming current production patterns towards more sustainable and competitive systems. Understanding whether and to what extent firms are introducing circular-oriented innovations allows monitoring where we stand in the circular transition and thus which further efforts are needed to achieve a resource-efficient economy. This study is based on data from two surveys on Small and Medium Enterprises: the first one reaches 4565 companies located throughout Italy (in the two-year period 207-2018) and the second one focuses on 1603 companies operating in the Emilia-Romagna region (in the three-year period 2017-2019). The analysis is aimed at offering a broad picture of the level of involvement of national and regional firms in the implementation of circular innovation. Despite the overall positive performance, there appears to be a fragmented adoption of circular innovation in terms of firms' size, technological intensity of the sectors and in accordance with the geography and the productive specialization of the territory. In general, circular innovation mainly involves firms operating in low-technology-intensity sectors in Southern Italy and more technological intensive sectors in Northern Italy and it is more widespread among large firms. On the contrary, in Emilia-Romagna, the distribution of circular innovation mainly concerns medium-sized firms, especially those belonging to low and medium technology-intensive sectors, moreover companies in the provinces of Modena and Parma show higher adoption rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Davide Antonioli & Davide Antonioli & Elisa Chioatto & Massimiliano Mazzanti, 2022. "Innovations and the circular economy: a national and regional perspective," Insights into Regional Development, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 4(1), pages 57-70, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ssi:jouird:v:4:y:2022:i:1:p:57-70
    DOI: 10.9770/ird.2022.4.1(4)
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marin, Giovanni, 2014. "Do eco-innovations harm productivity growth through crowding out? Results of an extended CDM model for Italy," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 301-317.
    2. Davide Antonioli & Massimiliano Mazzanti, 2009. "Techno-organisational strategies, environmental innovations and economic performances. Micro-evidence from an SME-based industrial district," Journal of Innovation Economics, De Boeck Université, vol. 0(1), pages 145-168.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Andreea-Ileana Zamfir & Elena Oana Croitoru & Cristina Burlacioiu & Cosmin Dobrin, 2022. "Renewable Energies: Economic and Energy Impact in the Context of Increasing the Share of Electric Cars in EU," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-19, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    circular economy; eco-innovation; circular innovation; small and medium enterprises; business models; regional studies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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