Assessing Organisational Capacities of Motivation-Driven Performance Outcomes in Circular Economy Transitions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61954/2616-7107/2026.10.1-1Keywords:
Circular Economy, Investments, Performance Outcomes, Resource Efficiency, Sustainability.Abstract
Background. The transition from a linear to a circular economy is a complex process influenced by various external and internal factors, including state regulations aimed at achieving ESG objectives, market conditions, and consumer demand. Internal organisational factors, such as human resources, finance, and technology, determine an organisation's capacity to implement circular models. It is also important to consider the quality aspects of circular solutions that act as motivators and generate benefits not only for the environment and society but also for the implementing organisations.
Purpose. This study aims to quantify and analyse the correlations between external motivators, internal capabilities in the circular economy transition, organisational benefits derived from implementation, and impacts on organisational performance.
Findings. The analysis revealed strong correlations between most circular economy factors and key aspects of organisational performance, highlighting the strategic value of investing in circular economy models. The strongest correlations were found between team capacity and expert effectiveness (0.769), economic performance and financial efficiency (0.756), and resource efficiency and its associated benefits (0.741). Most of the remaining factors demonstrated moderate correlations (0.30–0.59), and only a few indicators demonstrated weak correlations (<0.29), which require further investigation. The results obtained, especially the highest correlation between team and expert potential, highlight the paramount importance of investing in human capital and management competencies as the basis for a successful transition to a circular economy.
Implications. Organisations in Bulgaria that invest in the right enablers (management, finance, technology, and partnerships) are facilitating circular economy transitions and improving their performance to achieve growth and success. This provides valuable insights for informed policy, strategy, and funding decisions. Key motivators and opportunities for implementing a circular economy are closely linked to precise benefits for organisations, such as the strength and expertise of the human factors team. In contrast, interdisciplinary teams required further study due to their weak correlation with expected outcomes.
References
Angelova, M. (2024). Business organization creativity – A key indicator of innovation readiness. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 12(2), 10–30. https://doi.org/10.9770/x8527586243
Assmann, I. R., Rosati, F., & Morioka, S. N. (2023). Determinants of circular business model adoption—A systematic literature review. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(8), 6008–6028. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3470
Baruch, Y., & Holtom, B. C. (2008). Survey response rate levels and trends in organizational research. Human Relations, 61(8), 1139–1160. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726708094863
Blackburn, U. (2024). Circular economy platforms: Enablers and organizers of economic and environmental value creation in the circular economy (Doctoral dissertation, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, Acta Universitatis Lappeenrantaensis, 1142). Lappeenranta.
Borrero, J. D., & Yousafzai, S. (2025). Spinning the circle: unravelling the “why?” Behind social motivations in circular economy entrepreneurship. Journal of Enterprising Communities People and Places in the Global Economy, 19(4), 881–912. https://doi.org/10.1108/jec-01-2024-0003
De Mattos, C. A., & De Albuquerque, T. L. M. (2018). Enabling factors and strategies for the transition toward a circular economy. Sustainability, 10(12), 4628. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124628
Dimitrova, T., Komandrovska, V., Marinov, M., & Taranenko, A. (2025). Strategic Innovative Management and Sustainable Development of Industrial Enterprises. Economics Ecology Socium, 9(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.61954/2616-7107/2025.9.1-7
Ghisellini, P., Cialani, C., & Ulgiati, S. (2016). A review on circular economy: the expected transition to a balanced interplay of environmental and economic systems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 114, 11–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.007
Goranova, S., & Anguelov, K. (2024). Critical Review of Bulgarian Legislation Related to Circular Economy. Environment. Technology. Resources. Proceedings of the 15th International Scientific and Practical Conference, 1, 168-172. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2024vol1.7965
Goranova, S., & Anguelov, K. (2025). Circular economy and “polluter pays” principle in Bulgarian municipalities. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 13(1), 284–304. https://doi.org/10.9770/z4396768572
Graessler, S., Guenter, H., de Jong, S. B., & Henning, K. (2024). Organizational change towards the circular economy: A systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Management Reviews, 26(4), 556–579. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12367
Gubanova E., Kupinets L., Deforzh H., Koval V., Gaska K. (2019). Recycling of polymer waste in the context of developing circular economy. Architecture Civil Engineering Environment, 12(4), 99-108. https://doi.org/10.21307/ACEE-2019-055
Holtom, B., Baruch, Y., Aguinis, H., & Ballinger, G. (2022). Survey response rates: Trends and a validity assessment framework. Human Relations, 75(8), 1560–1584. https://doi.org/10.1177/00187267211070769
Hool, A., Helbig, C., & Wierink, G. (2024). Challenges and opportunities of the European Critical Raw Materials Act. Mineral Economics, 37(3), 661–668. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13563-023-00394-y
Howe, K., & Lavy, B. L. (2025). Business characteristics and leadership motivation in circular economy practices: a case study of small manufacturers in Dallas-Fort Worth. Frontiers in Sustainability, 6(1568099). https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2025.1568099
João, I. M., Alves, N. M. H., & Silva, J. M. (2025). Motivations, barriers, drivers, and benefits of circular economy in EMAS and ISO 14001-certified companies. Circular Economy and Sustainability. 5, 4679–4701. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-025-00635-y
Krachunov, H., & Ovcharova, S. (2022). Management of sustainable development as a task for coordinated optimum. In Proceedings of the International Conference on High Technology for Sustainable Development (HiTech 2022) (pp. 107–113). https://doi.org/10.1109/HiTech56937.2022.10145517
Kravchenko, M., McAloone, T. C., & Pigosso, D. C. A. (2019). Implications of developing a tool for sustainability screening of circular economy initiatives. Procedia CIRP, 80, 625–630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2019.01.044
Liu, Y., Zhang, H., & Evans, S. (2024). Implementing circular economy principles: Evidence from multiple cases. Production Planning & Control, 35(5), 421–435. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2024.2415417
Maiwada, S., & Okey, L. E. (2015). The relevance and significance of correlation in social science research. International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Research, 1(3), 22–28.
Mora-Contreras, R., Carrillo-Hermosilla, J., Hernández-Salazar, G., Torres-Guevara, L. E., Mejia-Villa, A., & Ormazabal, M. (2025). Eco-innovation for circular economy and sustainability performance: Insights and evidence from manufacturing firms. Business Strategy and the Environment, 34(1), 1231–1256. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.4046
Petrova, E., & Stoykov, S. (2021). Humanistic perception of national security – A basic concept for security and defense education and training. Strategies for Policy in Science and Education-Strategii Na Obrazovatelnata i Nauchnata Politika, 29(5), 458–468. https://doi.org/10.53656/str2021-5-2-secur
Piila, N., Sarja, M., Onkila, T., & Mäkelä, M. (2022). Organisational Drivers and Challenges in Circular Economy Implementation: An Issue Life Cycle Approach. Organization & Environment, 35(4), 523-550. https://doi.org/10.1177/10860266221099658
Popa, I., Corboș, R.-A., Ștefan, S. C., & Bunea, O.-I. (2025). Circular economy practices, procurement strategies, and organizational competitiveness: Insights from future business professionals. Systems, 13(5), 344. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13050344
Pozzetto, E., & Leoni, L. (2025). Communication of Circular Economy in the public sector in Bulgaria: A study of space, agenda, language, and tools. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 5(6), 5727–5748. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-025-00694-1
Rizos, V., Bryhn, J., Alessi, M., Righetti, E., Fujiwara, N., & Stroia, C. (2021). Barriers and enablers for implementing circular economy business models: Evidence from the electrical and electronic equipment and agri-food value chains (CEPS Research Report No. RR2021-01). Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS). https://www.ceps.eu
Rosário, A. T., Lopes, P., & Rosário, F. S. (2024). Sustainability and the circular economy business development. Sustainability, 16(14), 6092. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146092
Sahoo, S., Upadhyay, A., & Kumar, A. (2023). Circular economy practices and environmental performance: Analysing the role of big data analytics capability and responsible research and innovation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(8), 6029–6046. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3471
Stoyanova, T. (2019). CSR strategies applied in terms of circular economy. Economic Alternatives, 2, 263–274.
Suchek, N., Brück, F., & Hiebl, M. R. W. (2021). Innovation and the circular economy: A systematic literature review. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(8), 3583–3605. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2834
Teixeira, N. (2025). Circular economy perspectives: Challenges, innovations, and sustainable futures. Discover Sustainability, 6, 738. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01606-x
Terziev, V., Lyubcheva, M., & Georgiev, M. (2025). Circular economy: Transition to sustainable development or a new model of economic transformation. In Circular Economy and Environmental Resilience (pp. 279–309). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-93091-1_12
Ting, L. S., Zailani, S., Sidek, N. Z. M., & Shaharudin, M. R. (2023). Motivators and barriers of circular economy business model adoption and its impact on sustainable production in Malaysia. Environment Development and Sustainability, 26(7), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03350-6
Toppinen, A., D’Amato, D., & Stern, T. (2020). Forest-based circular bioeconomy: Matching sustainability challenges and novel business opportunities? Forest Policy and Economics, 110, 102041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2019.102041
Tsonkov, N., & Kostev, R. (2023). GIS-based model for the assessment of the smart sustainable development of the municipalities of Northeast Bulgaria. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, 15(4), 81–92.
Tsonkov, N., Petrov, K., & Berberova-Valcheva, T. (2022). Adoption of information technologies for Black Sea region municipalities’ smart development. International Journal on Information Technologies and Security, 14(1), 87–96.
United Nations Development Programme. (1994). Human Development Report 1994: New dimensions of human security. Oxford University Press.
Vafaei, N., Ribeiro, R. A., & Camarinha-Matos, L. M. (2016). Normalization techniques for multi-criteria decision making: Analytical hierarchy process case study. In Technological Innovation for Cyber-Physical Systems (pp. 261–269). Springer International Publishing.
Völker, T., Kovacic, Z., & Strand, R. (2020). Indicator development as a site of collective imagination? The case of European Commission policies on the circular economy. Culture and Organization, 26(2), 103–120. https://doi.org/10.1080/14759551.2019.1699092
Zemanová, V. (2023). Circular economy implementation from the perspective of benefits and barriers. In Proceedings of the 16th International Conference Liberec Economic Forum 2023 (pp. 282–290). Technical University of Liberec. https://doi.org/10.15240/tul/009/lef-2023-31
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Economics Ecology Socium
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
If the article is accepted for publication in the journal «Economics. Ecology. Socium» the author must sign an agreementon transfer of copyright. The agreement is sent to the postal (original) or e-mail address (scanned copy) of the journal editions.
