Circular economy practices and sustainable performance: A meta-analysis

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between circular economy (CE) practices and enterprise performance based on existing empirical studies adopting a meta-analysis method. By systematically reviewing the literature, we identify 41 papers published on this topic between 2005 and 2021. The key finding supports that CE practice has benefited both firms’ commercial and ecological sustainability. The results also show that industry type, enterprise scale, and country have a moderating effect on the relationship between CE practices and sustainable performance. In addition, the results of this study can support managers to have greater confidence in adopting CE practices in order to improve both commercial and ecological performance. Further, this may be the first meta-analysis on this topic resolving the mixed results in the existing literature.