Enabling circular economy outcomes through smart food safety management systems: evidence from ISO 22000 and HACCP certified agri-food firms

Purpose The benefits of circular economy (CE) practices to firms cannot be overemphasised in business environments and have thus attracted research attention lately. Nevertheless, there exist considerable unexplored gaps regarding how green human resource management (GHRM) and organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) partially or jointly influence the relationship between CE practices and firm performance (FP) in developing economies. Design/methodology/approach Using planned behaviour and natural resource-based view (NRBV) theories, this study explores the roles of GHRM and OCB in the relationship between CE practices and FP [i.e. environmental performance (EP) and financial performance (FnP)]. The study employed a quantitative (survey) approach and specifically using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique to analyse data randomly collected from 196 manufacturing firms in Ghana. Findings The study found that GHRM moderates the relationships between CE practices and OCB. Additionally, OCB mediates the relationship between CE practices and EP but does not mediate the relationship between CE practices and FnP. Originality/value The study provides empirical evidence and highlights the significance of GRHM and OCB in driving successful CE initiatives in organisations, leading to better FP. The findings of this study provide useful insights to support green operations in firms and policy development, particularly in developing economy environments.

PurposeThis research assesses the present condition of Circular Economy (CE) practices in green hotels situated in two leading Middle Eastern nations, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Furthermore, it investigates the crucial impact of Industry 4.0 innovations in facilitating the relationship between the adoption of CE initiatives and hotel performance (HP).Design/methodology/approachData from 59 green hotels in Saudi Arabia and 76 in Egypt were collected online, resulting in 400 complete forms, providing a diverse sample size suitable for PLS-SEM analysis using JASP software as a leading machine learning application.FindingsThe results demonstrate a notable correlation between CE strategies, including redesign, production, reuse and recovery in hotels and HP. Additionally, the impact of Industry 4.0 performance on the relationship between CE and HP is facilitated by four distinct CE loops.Practical implicationsThis study offers practical insights into implementing CE practices in the hotel industry, aiding policymakers and establishments in enhancing sustainability and performance. Key stakeholders can use these findings to develop strategies that integrate CE initiatives, improve operational outcomes and align marketing efforts with sustainable practices.Originality/valueThis study is groundbreaking in its exploration of the relationship between CE and the transition to Industry 4.0 in the MENA region, analyzing the specific CE practices that contribute to high HP. The tested model expands on the Natural Resource-Based View and stakeholder theory by incorporating the critical role of Industry 4.0 innovations in the CE–HP nexus.

PurposeThe present study aims to examine the relationship between green economic incentives (GEIs) and environmental commitment (EC) as drivers of the circular economy (CE) practices in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study of 594 assistant managers and SME managers was used while data were analyzed through Smart PLS.FindingsThe results showed that GEIs positively affect the SMEs' EC and the CE practice model. Furthermore, EC is the mediator between GEIs and the three CE practices: internal environmental management, eco-design and corporate asset management and recovery (CAM&R).Practical implicationsThe present study provided a basis for understanding the relevance of SMEs' CE practices and designing a strategic plan for its implementation. Also, it provides insight into that collaboration between triple helix (the government, SMEs and the community) is needed in increasing environmental awareness toward sustainability.Originality/valueThis study enhanced the natural resource-based view (NRBV), describing the mechanisms that view GEIs and EC as pollution prevention in CE practice.

PurposeUncovering the relationship between Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and circular economy (CE) practices is critical not only for implementing CE but also for leveraging I4.0 to achieve sustainable development goals. However, the potential connection between them – especially how different I4.0 technologies may influence various CE practices – remains inadequately researched. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively explore the impacts of various I4.0 technologies on CE practices.Design/methodology/approachA mixed method consisting of a systematic literature review, content analysis, and social network analysis was adopted. First, 266 articles were selected and mined for contents of I4.0 technologies and CE practices; 27 I4.0 technologies and 21 CE practices were identified. Second, 62 articles were found that prove the positive influence of I4.0 technologies on CE practices, and 124 relationships were identified. Third, based on evidence supporting the link between I4.0 technologies and CE practices, a two-mode network and two one-mode networks were constructed, and their network density and degree centrality indicators were analyzed.FindingsI4.0 technologies have a low application scope and degree for promoting CE. The adoption of a single I4.0 technology has limited effect on CE practices, and wider benefits can be realized through integrating I4.0 technologies. The Internet of Things (IoT), additive manufacturing, big data and analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) are among the top technologies promoting CE implementation and reduction and recycling were identified as the main mechanism. The integration of these technologies is the most popular and effective. Twelve CE practices were identified to be the most widely implemented and supported by I4.0 technologies.Research limitations/implicationsFirst, only journal articles, reviews, and online publications written in English were selected, excluding articles published in other languages. Therefore, the results obtained only represent a specific group of scholars, which may be fragmented to a certain extent. Second, because the extraction of the impact of I4.0 on CE mainly relies on a manual literature review, this paper only provides the statistics of the number of publications involving relationships, while lacking the weight measurement of relationships.Originality/valueA comprehensive, quantitative, and visual analysis method was employed to unveil the current implementation levels of I4.0 technologies and CE practices. Further, it was explored how different I4.0 technologies can affect various CE aspects, how different I4.0 technologies are integrated to promote CE realization, and how various CE practices are implemented simultaneously by I4.0 technologies.

The impact of competitive strategy on corporate sustainability and the role of circular economy (CE) practices remains scanty in the extant literature. This study therefore examines the mediating role of CE practices on the relationship between competitive strategy and sustainability performance. Drawing on the natural resource‐based view (NRBV) theory and institutional logics (IL) theory, this study explores a framework that introduces competitive strategy as an antecedent variable in advancing CE practices and sustainability performance among firms in a developing economy. Using data obtained through a survey of 380 firms in Ghana, the results revealed that competitive strategy has a positive and statistically significant relationship with corporate sustainability performance. Additionally, CE practices mediate the positive association between competitive strategy and corporate sustainability. Our research extends the frontiers of the literature by combining the IL and NRBV theories to explain how competitive strategy influences sustainability performance via CE practices.

Pharmaceutical industry is facing escalating environmental sustainability issues including gaseous emissions, waste generation, and excessive consumption of energy and non‐renewable materials. Nevertheless, the adoption of sustainable business models such as the circular economy ( CE ) is still in its infancy in this sector due to complex manufacturing and supply chain operations. Further, a scarcity of empirical research in this domain calls for an in‐depth investigation into CE implementation in the pharmaceutical industry. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the CE practices in the pharmaceutical industry for reducing hazardous waste, improving environmental protection, conserving resources, and ensuring responsible and safe disposal of medicines. Using a multiple case study approach, 18 semi‐structured interviews were conducted with senior executives and corporate managers in four large pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan. Drawing on the natural resource‐based view (NRBV), the findings revealed green procurement, sustainable production, reverse logistics, sustainable distribution, and digitalization as significant CE practices in the pharmaceutical supply chain management. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by developing a holistic model of CE enablers linking with the NRBV framework. The findings can guide practitioners in deploying CE practices in the complex supply chain operations of the pharmaceutical industry and improving sustainability which can strengthen their organization's pollution prevention, product stewardship, and sustainable development strategic capabilities. Further, the study findings can assist policymakers in developing stakeholder‐specific policies and frameworks to promote CE adoption in the pharmaceutical industry.

Over the past few years, the circular economy (CE) concept has captured considerable attention from researchers and practitioners as a potential solution for social, economic, and environmental challenges. But in literature, limited engagement has been given to explore the CE initiatives, particularly in the agri‐food supply chain (AFSC). This paper aims to address this gap by critically reviewing the existing literature and identify the drivers and barriers for implementing the CE in the AFSC. This study uses a systematic literature review approach to critically analyse the current literature to develop future empirical research areas. The popularity of the CE drivers and barriers in the AFSC following the number of times they appeared in the research studies is examined. It shows that environmental (67%), policy and economy (47%), and financial benefits (43%) are the three top drivers. However, institutional (64%), financial (48%), and technological risks (40%) are the top three barriers in implementing CE practices in the AFSC. It is observed that there is an utmost need for international communities to introduce internationally accepted standards and frameworks for CE practices to be used globally to eliminate waste, particularly in the agriculture sector. Moreover, government intervention to stimulate CE initiatives plays a critical role in the transition process.

PURPOSE: This study examines the interplay between stakeholder pressure (internal and external), circular economy (CE) practices, firm size, and their impact on the sustainability and economic performance of Small and Medium sized Enterprises. This research underscores firm size as a key moderator in the relationship between stakeholder pressures and CE adoption, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of this dynamic in SMEs. METHODOLOGY: Based on a cross-sectional survey of 124 SMEs in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, with respondents primarily being owners and managers of firms, a three-step approach tested the proposed model for CE practices. First, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to ensure that the observed variables represented latent constructs. Second, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Weighted Least Squares (WLS) regression methods were used to control for factors influencing CE adoption. Finally, the interaction terms assessed the moderating role of firm size. FINDINGS: The research shows that firm size moderates these effects, with external stakeholder pressure significantly influencing CE adoption more than internal pressure. These finding underscores how firm size shapes SMEs’ responses to stakeholder pressure when adopting CE practices. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides empirical evidence that stakeholder pressure significantly influences SMEs in the Baltic States to adopt CE practices, thus impacting economic and sustainability performance. Smaller firms can enhance CE practices by strategically managing stakeholders, whereas larger SMEs should align with external stakeholder expectations for more effective CE initiatives, leading to improved organizational performance. ORIGINALITY AND VALUE: This study demonstrates how stakeholder pressures drive CE practices and impact organizational sustainability and economic performance. Firm size plays a crucial role as a moderator amplifying the influence of external stakeholder pressure on CE practices.

This paper identifies, through a literature review, how 53 circular economy (CE) practices are related to the capability approach (CA) proposed by Sen. The main goal was to identify how a virtuous cycle between CE and CA can be developed. Five instrumental freedoms (IF) were analysed: economic facilities, social opportunities, protective security, political freedoms, and transparency guarantees. These relationships were analysed in three flows: CE practices positively impacting IF, CE practices negatively impacting IF, and the feedback influence of IF on CE practices. The results show that 32 of the 53 practices previously mentioned have not yet been studied from the CA context, which indicates that there are several research opportunities. From the practices considered, 72 articles were analysed in the final sample. The results suggest that several CE practices are aligned with the CA, considering that all five IF were identified as positive outcomes of CE practices. However, in some contexts, certain practices can have negative outcomes, which indicates that CE, at least in some cases, may not be considered as sustainable, as it decreases IF and, therefore, the social aspect of sustainability. The results also highlight that there is a feedback from IF to CE, in such a way that investing in the expansion of IF can facilitate the development of CE practices. Therefore, this study concludes that CE is indeed a way to fully operationalize sustainable development.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are critical drivers of economic growth and innovation, particularly in emerging economies like Indonesia. However, they face persistent challenges such as limited resources, low innovation capacity, and growing pressure to meet environmental sustainability standards. This study investigates the impact of circular economy (CE) practices—specifically resource utilization and innovation & learning—on the business and socio-environmental performance of MSMEs in Padang City, Indonesia. Drawing upon the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV), the study posits that sustainable resource management and organizational learning can serve as strategic capabilities for long-term competitive advantage. A quantitative approach using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was employed, with data collected from 70 MSMEs via an online questionnaire. The results reveal that both resource utilization and innovation & learning significantly and positively affect business success and social-environmental performance. These findings underscore the importance of integrating sustainability-oriented innovations and resource efficiency into MSME operations. The study contributes to the limited empirical research linking NRBV and CE practices within MSMEs in emerging markets. It offers practical implications for policy-makers and business development programs aiming to foster sustainable competitiveness and inclusive growth through innovation and environmental stewardship in the MSME sector.

The circular economy (CE) and supply chain resilience have received significant scientific attention in the recent supply chain literature. Incorporating CE practices and resilience practices into a supply chain enables companies to address their sustainability goals. This research explores the joint impact of implementing CE practices and resilience practices in an agri-food supply chain in Peru. The synergetic assessment of CE practices and resilience practices in a supply chain constitutes a multi-criteria decision-making challenge, requiring the involvement of subject-matter experts. Most studies have selected subject-matter experts based on the researchers’ convenience, which may lead to biased evaluations by some experts, resulting in unreliable study results. To mitigate potential bias, this research introduces a new framework named Diverse and Unbiased Group Decision-Making (DUGDM). Subsequently, the study examines the interaction between the drivers of CE and resilience using the Grey-DEMATEL method. The results indicate that drivers, such as the economic growth level, agricultural contamination, and collaborative operation of multiple firms are most influential in the successful integration of circular economy and resilience into a Peruvian agri-food supply chain system.

ABSTRACTAs global sustainability challenges intensify, the transition to circular economy (CE) practices has become a critical strategy for businesses seeking to align with Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12. In emerging markets, understanding the key drivers behind successful CE adoption is vital for fostering sustainable growth. This study investigates how RET influence the adoption of CE practices in manufacturing firms across the MENA region, with a focus on the moderating roles of green innovation and governance policy. Drawing insights from the resource‐based view, dynamic capabilities, and stakeholder theories, the study constructs models linking returnee directors (RET) to CE adoption. Using a panel dataset of 5302 firm‐year observations, the study employs advanced econometric techniques, including MMQR and dynamic GMM modeling, while addressing endogeneity through IV‐2SLS, lagged effects, and PSM estimations. The findings reveal that RET significantly enhance CE practices across lower, middle and upper quantiles. Green innovation not only directly promotes CE adoption, but also amplify the positive influence of RET on CE practices. Additionally, robust governance policies strengthen the relationship between RET and CE practices, particularly at higher quantiles, underscoring the importance of institutional frameworks for fostering sustainability. This study highlights the pivotal role of RET in advancing CE and offers practical insights for policymakers and business leaders aiming to align with global sustainability goals. By integrating green innovation and effective governance mechanisms, this research provides a strategic roadmap for accelerating the transition to a CE in emerging markets.

This paper aims to explore the feasibility of implementing Circular Economy (CE) practices for produced water management in the oil and gas industry. The scope of this paper is to evaluate the circularity/technical aspects of 4 Circular Economy practices of produced water management: Disposal Wells, Pits/Evaporation Ponds, Wastewater Reclamation for Agricultural Purposes, and Industrial Symbiosis. CE is a concept that aims for the reduction of waste and utilization/consumption of valuable resources. This concept promotes re-use and recycling of products/materials. Also, it aims to extract maximum value, thus, this paper's goal is to cover some CE benefits such as "Reduced Waste"; and "Conservation of Resources". The overall approach involves a comprehensive review of CE practices for produced water management. The review will be conducted utilizing a systematic approach to identify circularity in disposal wells which involves injecting produced water into drilled disposal wells for active/inactive reservoir. Pits/Evaporation ponds where waste water exists can be re-utilized for well control, or steam generation for resource recovery. Wastewater reclamation for agricultural purposes involves using technologies to treat produced water and make it suitable for re-use into facilities. Industrial symbiosis which explores opportunities that can facilitate the re-use of produced water in other industries. Between the mentioned CE practices, each has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific circumstances. The observations will highlight the opportunities and challenges associated with each CE practice. However, industrial symbiosis appears to be a promising approach because it can promote resource efficiency external use of water with or without initial treatment and reduce waste while also providing opportunities for other industries to benefit from produced water. The study suggests that amongst the 4 CE practices, it is wise to select them based on the feasibility to ensure an effective way to manage produced water from oil and gas operations. The industrial symbiosis practice involves using waste products from one industry as raw materials for another industry. For example, produced water from oil and gas operations can be re-used in other industries such as agriculture, construction dust suppression, and cooling process. However, adequate stakeholder engagement with financial incentives is necessary to ensure the success of this approach. Each CE practice can promote resource efficiency, reduce waste, and provide opportunities for other industries to benefit from produced water. Furthermore, this study will contribute to the other Circular Economy practice by providing a comprehensive evaluation as well. This paper presents novel information on the feasibility of implementing Circular Economy practices for produced water management in the oil and gas industry. The paper evaluates 4 CE practices that have not been comprehensively evaluated in previous studies together. The paper also provides recommendations for implementing these practices that can be of benefit to the petroleum industry.

This study extends the natural resource‐based view (NRBV) theory by examining how Industry 4.0 readiness influences circular economy practices in resource‐constrained manufacturing contexts. The research challenges established theoretical assumptions about sustainability culture's role and circular economy implementation hierarchies while investigating the mediating mechanisms of knowledge management capabilities. Data from 704 manufacturing SMEs in Ghana was analyzed using an innovative two‐stage PLS‐SEM and artificial neural network approach that captured both linear and nonlinear relationships between constructs. This methodical triangulation revealed complex interaction patterns that traditional modeling might miss. The study makes three significant theoretical contributions: (1) Industry 4.0 readiness enhances circular economy practices even at basic levels of technological sophistication, challenging technology‐deterministic theoretical perspectives; (2) knowledge management capabilities transform technological inputs into circular outcomes through mechanisms that differ from those in resource‐rich contexts, emphasizing informal knowledge sharing rather than formal codification; and (3) sustainability‐orientated culture functions as the strongest direct predictor of circular economy practices rather than as a moderator, contradicting Western‐centric theoretical frameworks. The study reconceptualizes how NRBV theory applies in resource‐constrained environments by demonstrating that circular economy implementation hierarchies are context‐dependent rather than universal; value creation from technological resources depends more on effective orchestration than sophistication; and sustainability culture functions differently in collectivist contexts than is theorized in individualistic societies. These theoretical extensions transcend the specific Ghanaian context to offer generalizable insights into how resource endowments and cultural contexts shape sustainability capability development.

To accomplish the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the manufacturing industry faces significant hurdles, particularly in embracing green servitization and circular economy ideas and confronting the dearth of research on green servitization for sustainability. To fill this lacuna, this study examines the role of green servitization in promoting circular economy practices (CEPs) and sustainability in Malaysian manufacturing firms. A robust framework has been forged based on the natural resource‐based view (NRBV) theory. Data from a survey of 251 manufacturing firms (Malaysian and Japanese) were collected and analyzed using a hybrid methodology that included structural equation modeling and artificial neural network (SEM‐ANN). The research findings from SEM highlight that green servitization positively promotes CEP and sustainable performance. Furthermore, CEP has a mediating role between green servitization and sustainable performance. The ANN results indicate that CEP is the dominant predictor of sustainability dimensions. Unlike the prior research that theoretically assumes that all relationships are linear, this has been the nascent study that has successfully validated that there exists a nonlinear relationship in the NRBV framework. Based on the outcomes, study contributions, practical implications, and future research avenues have been discussed.