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Understanding the effect of market orientation on circular economy practices: The mediating role of closed‐loop orientation in German SMEs
Author(s) -
Schmidt Corinna Vera Hedwig,
Kindermann Bastian,
Behlau Cassian Felix,
Flatten Tessa Christina
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
business strategy and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.123
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1099-0836
pISSN - 0964-4733
DOI - 10.1002/bse.2863
Subject(s) - market orientation , german , antecedent (behavioral psychology) , business , orientation (vector space) , structural equation modeling , context (archaeology) , marketing , industrial organization , closed loop , computer science , psychology , geometry , mathematics , archaeology , control engineering , machine learning , biology , engineering , history , developmental psychology , paleontology
Abstract The implementation of circular economy (CE) practices is considered a key driver towards sustainable development of firms. Earlier studies point to the general strategic approach of market orientation as an antecedent to CE practice implementation. Still, insights are limited as the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. Based on a sample of 121 German small and medium‐sized enterprises (SME), we empirically examine how the strategic approach of closed‐loop orientation mediates the relationship between market orientation and the implementation of three types of CE practices. Using structural equation modelling, we find that while market orientation is positively related to all three types of CE practices, closed‐loop orientation mediates these relationships for only two. Our study extends CE literature by suggesting that market orientation is translated into closed‐loop orientation to spur CE practice implementation. We also offer a differentiated understanding of CE practice implementation in the context of German SMEs.