Innovativeness Towards Transformation from Linear to Circular Economy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7250/eb-2025-0001Keywords:
Estonia, circular economy, innovation, knowledge transfer, Lithuania, linear economy, Nordic capitalAbstract
Knowledge/technology transfer stimulates the development of new technologies and products and even transfer from a linear economy to more friendly business activities. The problem of climate change and the constantly increasing volume of various waste causes challenges and, at the same time, opportunities for business development. Transition to circular economy might decline energy from fossil resources and lower business influence on the climate change. However, the shift to new business models requires new knowledge and technology. Thus, the adoption of good practices or gained knowledge or technology speeds up the transition to a circular economy. The aim of the paper is to explore the complex relationships between knowledge transfer and circular economy. The study was based on a questionnaire. For evaluation, the 5-point Likert scale has been used. The survey has been carried out by the CATI principle. For the analysis of the results, the research applied descriptive statistics and correlation. Empirical research focuses on Nordic MNCs in Lithuania and Estonia. The results proved that companies tend to develop innovations or new products. Additionally, they have a positive attitude towards transferring their own business to the circular economy. The results fulfil the gap in the interlinkages between the theory of circular economy and the innovations concept.
References
Agustí, M. A., Ramos-Hidalgo, E., Moreno-Menéndez, A. M. (2022). The role of international knowledge acquisition and absorptive capacity as a predictor of international performance. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, 39(1), 81–96. https://doi.org/10.1002/cjas.1651 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cjas.1651
Avikal, S., Nigam, M., & Ram, M. (2021). A hybrid multi criteria decision making approach for consultant selection problem in ERP project. International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, 13(S2), 941–950. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13198-021-01505 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13198-021-01505-0
Awan, U., Kanwal, N., Bhutta, M. K. S. (2020). A Literature Analysis of Definitions for a Circular Economy. In Golinska-Dawson, P. (eds) Logistics Operations and Management for Recycling and Reuse, (pp. 19–34). https://doi.org./10.1007/978-3-642-33857-1_2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33857-1_2
Camacho-Otero, J., Boks, C., & Pettersen, I. N. (2018). Consumption in the circular economy: a literature review. Sustainability, 10(8), 2758. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082758 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082758
De Jesus, A., Mendonca, S. (2018). Lost in Transition? Drivers and Barriers in the Eco-Innovation Road to the Circular Economy. Ecological Economics, 145, 75–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.08.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.08.001
Gechbaia, B., Maisuradze, T., Paresashvili, N., Goletiani, K., & Gvarishvili, L. (2023). Challenges and barriers in transition to circular economy business models. E3S Web of Conferences, 408, 01016. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202340801016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202340801016
Gómez‐Zaldívar, M., Llamosas‐Rosas, I., F Gómez‐Zaldívar, F., (2021). The relationship between economic complexity and the pattern of foreign direct investment flows among Mexican states. The Review of Regional Studies, 51(1), 64–88 https://doi.org/10.52324/001c.21211 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52324/001c.21211
Govindan, K., & Hasanagic, M. (2018). A systematic review on drivers, barriers, and practices towards circular economy: a supply chain perspective. International Journal of Production Research, 56(1–2), 278–311. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1402141 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1402141
Gusmerotti, N. M., Testa, F., Corsini, F., Pretner, G., Iraldo, F. (2019). Drivers and approaches to the circular economy in manufacturing firms. Journal of Cleaner Production, 230, 314–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.044 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.044
Holmström, L. C., Kang, O., Ljung, A., & Rosenbaum, P. (2022). Involvement of multinational corporations in social innovation: Exploring an emerging phenomenon. Journal of Business Research, 151, 207–221. https://doi.org./10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.07.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.07.003
Holly, F., Kolar, G., Berger, M., Fink, S., Ogonowski, P., & Schlund, S. (2023). Challenges on the way to a circular economy from the perspective of the Austrian manufacturing industry. Frontiers in Sustainability, 4, 1243374. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2023.1243374 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2023.1243374
Kirchherr, J., Piscicelli, L., Bour, R., Kostense-Smit, E., Muller, J., Huibrechtse-Truijens, A., Hekkert, M. (2018). Barriers to the Circular Economy: Evidence from the European Union (EU). Ecological Economics, 150, 264–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.04.028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.04.028
Koszewska, M. (2018). Circular Economy – Challenges for the Textile and Clothing Industry. Autex Research Journal, 18(4), 337–347. https://doi.org/10.1515/aut-2018-0023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/aut-2018-0023
Kuzma, E. L., Sehnem, S., Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. & Campos, L. M. S. (2022). Circular economy indicators and levels of innovation: an innovative systematic literature review. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 71(3), 952–980. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-10-2020-0549 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-10-2020-0549
Lahti, T., Wincent, J., & Parida, V. (2018). A definition and theoretical review of the circular economy, value creation, and sustainable business models: where are we now and where should research move in the future? Sustainability, 10(8), 2799. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082799 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082799
Li, Y., Hu, Y., Li, L., Zheng, J., Yin, Y., & Fu, S. (2023). Drivers and outcomes of circular economy implementation: evidence from China. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 123(4), 1178–1197. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-05-2022-0267 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-05-2022-0267
MacArthur, E. (2013). Towards the circular economy. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2(1), 23–44.
Maldonado-Guzmán, G., Garza-Reyes, J. A., Pinzón-Castro, S. Y., & Kumar, V. (2020). Innovation capabilities and performance: Are they truly linked in SMEs? International Journal of Innovation Science, 11(1), 48–62. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-12-2017-0139 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-12-2017-0139
Nwagu, N. B., & Enofe, E. E. (2021). The Impact of Entrepreneurship on the Economic Growth of an Economy: An Overview. Journal of Emerging Trends in Economics and Management Sciences (JETEMS), 12(4),143–149.
Okorie, O., Salonitis, K., Charnley, F., Moreno, M., Turner, C., & Tiwari, A. (2018). Digitisation and the Circular Economy: A Review of Current Research and Future Trends. Energies, 11(11), 3009. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11113009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en11113009
Osterman, J., Aizen, M. A., Biesmeijer, J. C., Bosch, J., Howlett, B. G., Inouye, D. W., Jung, C., Dino Martins, D. J., Medel, R., Pauw, A., Seymour, C. L., & Paxton, R. J. (2021). Global trends in the number and diversity of managed pollinator species. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 322, 107653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107653 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107653
Ozili, P. K. (2022). Sustainability and Sustainable Development Research around the World. Managing Global Transitions, 20(3), 259–293. https://doi.org./10.26493/1854-6935.20.259-293 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26493/1854-6935.20.259-293
Poponi, S., Arcese, G., Pacchera, F., & Martucci, O. (2022). Evaluating the transition to the circular economy in the agri-food sector: Selection of indicators. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 176, 105916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105916. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105916
Rizos, V., Behrens, A., Van Der Gaast, W., Hofman, E., Ioannou, A., Kafyeke, T., Flamos, A., Rinaldi, R., Papadelis, S., Hirschnitz-Garbers, M., & Topi, C. (2016). Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMES): Barriers and enablers. Sustainability, 8(11), 1212. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8111212 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su8111212
Saarinen, A., & Aarikka-Stenroos, L. (2022). Financing-Related Drivers and Barriers for Circular Economy Business: Developing a Conceptual Model from a Field Study. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3, 1187–1211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-022-00222-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-022-00222-5
Santos, M. R. C., Rolo, A., Matos, D. S. d., & Carvalho, L. C. (2023). The circular economy in corporate reporting: text mining of energy companies’ management reports. Energies, 16(15), 5791. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155791 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en16155791
Sawe, F., Kumar, A., Garza-Reyes, J. A., & Agrawal, R. (2021). Assessing people‐driven factors for circular economy practices in small and medium‐sized enterprise supply chains: business strategies and environmental perspectives. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(7), 2951–2965. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2781 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2781
Sehnem, S., Lara, A. C., & Benetti, K. (2023). Improving startups through excellence initiatives: addressing circular economy and innovation. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26, 15237–15283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03247-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03247-4
Silajdzic, S., & Mehic, E. (2015). Knowledge Spillovers, Absorptive Capacities and the Impact of FDI on Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from Transition Economies. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 614–623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.142 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.142
Suzanne, E., Absi, N., & Borodin, V. (2020). Towards circular economy in production planning: Challenges and opportunities. European Journal of Operational Research, 287(1), 168–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2020.04.043 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2020.04.043
Szilagyi, A., Cioca, L., Bacali, L., Lakatos, E. S., & Bîrgovan, A. L. (2022). Consumers in the circular economy: a path analysis of the underlying factors of purchasing behaviour. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11333. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811333 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811333
Yousaf, I., Nekhili, R., & Umar, M. (2022). Extreme connectedness between renewable energy tokens and fossil fuel markets. Energy Economics, 114, 106305.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2022.106305 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2022.106305
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Agnė Šimelytė (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.