Examining circular economy practices and sustainability performance in knowledge-based companies in Iran

The present study, relying on the resource- and industry-based views and stakeholders, has developed a model that shows the role of technology adoption, ways to reduce waste to zero, uncertainty in the market and green economic incentives in promoting circular economy practices, and improvement of the sustainability performance of knowledge-based companies. This paper used a quantitative research approach and a structured questionnaire tool, in which survey data was collected from managers and experts of knowledge-based companies to test hypotheses using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population of the research was all managers and experts from knowledge-based companies in the field of electronic and electrical equipment production in Iran, numbering 384 people. The results showed that technology adoption, zero waste practices, and green economic incentives have a positive and significant effect on circular economy practices, while uncertainty in the market does not have a significant effect on circular economy practices. The results also showed that circular economy practices have a positive and significant effect on the sustainability performance of knowledge-based companies. In addition, the circular economy practices and the company's sustainability performance could be improved by adopting of circular economy entrepreneurship as a moderating variable.