Sustainable Business Practices and Circular Economy in the Developing Economy

Authors

Salisu Mohammed Saani

Atlanta College of Liberal Art and Sciences (Ghana)

Article Information

DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2026.10100521

Subject Category: Business Management

Volume/Issue: 10/1 | Page No: 6746-6754

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2025-12-28

Accepted: 2026-01-02

Published: 2026-02-16

Abstract

In recent years, the need for sustainable business practices has become increasingly urgent, particularly in the context of developing economies. Rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth in these regions have led to significant environmental challenges, including resource depletion, waste accumulation, and biodiversity loss. As businesses strive to maintain competitive advantage while addressing these pressing environmental concerns, sustainable business practices grounded in circular economy principles are emerging as viable pathways forward. This proposal seeks to explore how businesses in developing economies can transition to sustainable practices and integrate circular economy principles, focusing on key areas such as waste reduction, resource efficiency, and the development of sustainable supply chains.
The concept of a circular economy redefines traditional notions of production and consumption by emphasizing a systemic shift away from the linear "take-make-dispose" model towards a regenerative framework. This approach seeks to maximize the value of resources by extending their life cycle, minimizing waste, and promoting the continual use of resources through recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing. In developing economies, where economic growth and urbanization exert considerable pressure on natural resources, adopting circular economy principles presents a critical opportunity to foster sustainable development while mitigating environmental degradation.

Keywords

Business Management, Sustainable Business, Economy

Downloads

References

1. Bocken, N. M. P., Meelen, T., Van der Kooij, S., & P. Bakker, C. (2016). "Product design and business model strategies for a circular economy." Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, 33(5), 309-320. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Elkington, J. (1997). "Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business." New Society Publishers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2020). "Completing the Picture: How the Circular Economy Tackles Climate Change." Retrieved from Ellen MacArthur Foundation website. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Geng, Y., Fu, J., & Sarkis, J. (2019). "The circular economy: A new theory for sustainable development." International Journal of Production Research, 57(23), 7258-7269. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Giovannone, G., Mazzoleni, M., & Papi, L. (2020). "Sustainable business models in developing countries: the case of small and medium enterprises." Sustainability, 12(5), 1903. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Hu, C., Wang, K., & Zhang, F. (2022). "Analyzing stakeholders’ impact on business sustainability in developing economies." Sustainability, 14(7), 3857. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Kamble, S. S., Gunasekaran, A., & Sharma, R. (2021). "Circular economy in food supply chains: A review and research agenda." Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, 175, 105849. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Kahn, K. B., Manuj, I., & D. R. Sweeney, B. (2022). "Sustainable supply chains: A review and future directions in developing economies." International Journal of Production Economics, 255, 107602. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Lacy, P., & Rutqvist, J. (2015). "Waste to Wealth: The Circular Economy Advantage." Palgrave Macmillan. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Sinha, D., & De, P. (2019). "Barriers to the implementation of sustainable practices in small and medium-sized enterprises: A developing economy context." Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 1210–1222. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Wiener, M., Lott, L., & Herrmann, C. (2021). "The interdependence of sustainability and circular economy: A systematic review." Business Strategy and the Environment. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Barney, J. (1991). "Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage." Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Elkington, J. (1997). "Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business." New Society Publishers. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Geng, Y., Fu, J., & Sarkis, J. (2019). "The circular economy: A new theory for sustainable development." International Journal of Production Research, 57(23), 7258-7269. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. González, E. M., González, G. D., & Suárez, I. R. (2021). "Collaborative frameworks for circular economy practices in developing economies: A systematic literature review." Business Strategy and the Environment. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Lacy, P., & Rutqvist, J. (2015). "Waste to Wealth: The Circular Economy Advantage." Palgrave Macmillan. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Ostrom, E., Janssen, M. A., & Anderies, J. M. (2010). "Going Beyond Panaceas: A Multi-Tiered Diagnostic Approach for Social-Ecological Analysis." Environmental Conservation, 37(4), 451-463. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Parslow, R., Peters, J., & Biggs, D. (2021). "The Role of Policy in the Transition to a Circular Economy." Journal of Cleaner Production, 282, 124614. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Schmidt, J., Gaterell, M., & Minton, K. (2021). "Localizing Circular Economy Strategies: Lessons from Business Practice in Developing Economies." Sustainability, 13(3), 1234. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. United Nations. (2015). "Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." Retrieved from UN website. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Whelan, T., et al. (2022). "The Role of Businesses in Driving the Circular Economy: Trends and Insights." Sustainable Business Review. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

Metrics

Views & Downloads

Similar Articles