Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/284806 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Citation: 
[Journal:] Business Strategy and the Environment [ISSN:] 1099-0836 [Volume:] 30 [Issue:] 8 [Year:] 2021 [Pages:] 4171-4187
Publisher: 
Wiley, Hoboken, NJ
Abstract: 
The implementation of circular economy (CE) practices is considered a key driver towards sustainable development of firms. Earlier studies point to the general strategic approach of market orientation as an antecedent to CE practice implementation. Still, insights are limited as the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. Based on a sample of 121 German small and medium‐sized enterprises (SME), we empirically examine how the strategic approach of closed‐loop orientation mediates the relationship between market orientation and the implementation of three types of CE practices. Using structural equation modelling, we find that while market orientation is positively related to all three types of CE practices, closed‐loop orientation mediates these relationships for only two. Our study extends CE literature by suggesting that market orientation is translated into closed‐loop orientation to spur CE practice implementation. We also offer a differentiated understanding of CE practice implementation in the context of German SMEs.
Subjects: 
circular economy practices
closed‐loop orientation
market orientation
natural‐resource‐based view
small and medium‐sized enterprises
sustainable development
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article
Document Version: 
Published Version

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