Start-ups and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the circular economy

We are glad to announce the publication of a new ABS 3 article authored by MMTC member, Marcela Ramírez-Pasillas Opens in new window., and her co-authors João Ferreira and Ana Joana Fernandes. The article introduces the framework of safe and just planetary boundaries to the literature on start-ups and ecosystems in the circular economy (CE).

The shift from an unsustainable linear approach to a sustainable circular approach through start-ups and entrepreneurial ecosystems within a circular economy can be an inspiring journey. Understanding the macro–meso–micro interconnections and fostering a transition towards a circular economy is an important endeavor. This new publication contributes to the literature on start-ups and ecosystems and highlights the social and environmental sustainability challenges and the need for just and safe production patterns within a circular economy.

Focusing on CE research at a single level limits our understanding of the mechanisms facilitating this transition. To address this, Marcela Opens in new window. and her coauthors conducted a systematic review of the connections between start-ups and EE in CE at macro, meso, and micro levels. Using bibliometric and content analyses, they identified 90 relevant articles from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Their contribution to the literature on entrepreneurship and CE is an integrative multi-level framework that connects macro-level factors (public policies, regulations, and infrastructure) with meso-level (circular supply chains and ecosystems) and micro-level (circular start-ups and business models).