Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Unlocking circular start-ups: A model of barriers

Swati Awana*, Meena Chavan, Darshana Sedera, Zhiming Cheng, Max Ganzin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

267 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The concept of circular economy (CE) has emerged as a viable way to achieving sustainable development. Small businesses and start-ups play a significant role in economic progress, but they also contribute substantially to environmental degradation. In this inductive qualitative study, we conducted multiple interviews with 18 founders of circular start-ups (CSUs) in Australia to explore and understand the challenges they encountered at different stages of their development and growth. Employing grounded theory, this study unveils barriers associated with distinct phases of the CSU development and growth, categorizing them into antecedent, beginner and growth barriers. The empirical analysis paints a detailed picture of both unique and common obstacles related to the distinctive and novel positioning of CSUs in promoting CE. This research also serves as a valuable foundation for aspiring CE entrepreneurs, practitioners, scholars and policymakers.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2546-2577
Number of pages32
JournalBusiness Strategy and the Environment
Volume33
Issue number3
Early online date10 Nov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Mar 2024

Bibliographical note

© 2023 The Authors. Business Strategy and The Environment published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • barriers
  • circular economy
  • circular start-ups
  • grounded theory
  • sustainable development

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Unlocking circular start-ups: A model of barriers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this