Circular Economy Business Models in the SME Sector

• Main Author: Katarzyna Brendzel-Skowera
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Sustainability
• Subjects: circular economy; circular business models; SME sector; enterprises
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/13/7059

The article focuses on a bottom-up approach to implementing the concept of circular economy. All enterprises, not only the most aware ones, face the challenges of this economy. The modification of business models towards circular economy becomes a necessity. However, questions arise as to whether the use of circular economy business models is widely practiced and how enterprises are coping with the implementation of these models. This article presents the results of research aimed at assessing the organizational maturity of enterprises in terms of implementing the principles of circular economy. Based on the concept of organizational maturity levels of the CMMI model, the classification of circular business models according to R2Pi and the integrated business model (the so-called business model canvas), the maturity index of the circular economy business model is constructed. The results obtained do not allow one to formulate very optimistic conclusions. First of all, a competency gap in the field of circular business models is identified, which translates into a limited application of these models in practice. The most frequently implemented models are: circular raw materials, recovery of raw materials, modification and repair. Most enterprises tend to undertake activities that are characteristic of circular economy. Furthermore, the importance of these activities increases with the age of the enterprise.