Impact of employee engagement for circular economy implementation in manufacturing context : a single case study from Sri Lanka

Abstract

Circular Economy focuses on the circularity of resource consumption in contrast to the linear economy, which has closed loops. This model also focuses on waste elimination. The study examines the relationship between Employee Engagement, Circular Economy Implementation, and organizational performance. In depth, single case study method was used to explore the relationship among these key areas. Data was collected through nine structural interviews conducted with experts from five departments in the case organization. The study finds that top management contributions in the form of dedication and resource allocation are vital to CE implementation. Additionally, recycling, refusing, reducing, and Reusing/reselling are the CE implementation strategies used more often in the transition towards a circular economy. Also, employee involvement is important for training and education in the circular economy. Moreover, this research finds that the performance outcomes through CE implementation are more concentrated towards Environmental Performance. Waste Management, Environmental Compliance and Material efficiency had the highest impact on the Environmental performance constructs. This addresses the research gap in the current literature on employee engagement towards CE implementation.