MSME Adoption and Barriers

Study on MSME Participation in the Circular Economy

Examines awareness, current practices, 9R applications, barriers, knowledge gaps, support needs, and policy pathways among ASEAN MSMEs. Includes regional MSME case studies and recommendations on finance, skills, market access, eco-labelling, and collaboration.

Regional MSME Study

ASEAN Secretariat. (2025). Study on MSME participation in the circular economy.


Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Barriers and Enablers

Identifies internal and external factors that help or hinder SMEs in implementing circular business models. Useful for organizing database content on organizational culture, skills, finance, regulation, networks, and market demand.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

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: Barriers and enablers. Sustainability, 8(11), 1212. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8111212


Circular Economy in Spanish SMEs: Challenges and Opportunities

Analyzes how SMEs understand and implement circular economy and identifies operational and strategic challenges. Useful for comparing Philippine MSME adoption issues with evidence from another national SME context.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Ormazabal, M., Prieto-Sandoval, V., Puga-Leal, R., & Jaca, C. (2018). Circular economy in Spanish SMEs: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 185, 157–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.031


Circular Economy to Enhance Sustainability of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Develops and tests a framework linking circular practices with environmental, economic, and social performance in SMEs. Useful for framing enterprise-level benefits and designing outcome indicators for MSME programs.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

Dey, P. K., Malesios, C., De, D., Budhwar, P., Chowdhury, S., & Cheffi, W. (2020). Circular economy to enhance sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(6), 2145–2169. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2492


Regional MSME Study:

Study on MSME Participation in the Circular Economy

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article:

Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Barriers and Enablers

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article:

Circular Economy in Spanish SMEs: Challenges and Opportunities

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article:

Circular Economy to Enhance Sustainability of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises