Cleaner Production Letters最新文献

{"title":"Exploring the drivers of green SMEs: A multidimensional qualitative study","authors":"Hajer Zarrouk ,&nbsp;Sonia Abdennadher ,&nbsp;Laura Galloway ,&nbsp;Jaber Jemai ,&nbsp;Tayseer Mohammad Ismail ,&nbsp;Mourad Elhadef ,&nbsp;Morad Benyoucef","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100124","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100124","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite growing global attention to sustainable entrepreneurship, limited understanding persists regarding how financial, institutional, and leadership dynamics jointly shape the green transition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Responding to this gap, the present study offers a novel, ecosystem-based perspective that examines how multiple drivers and barriers co-evolve to influence SME sustainability transitions. Drawing from institutional theory and the resource-based view, and using the United Arab Emirates as a representative context, the paper presents qualitative evidence from 96 stakeholders—including government officials, SME leaders, academics, consultants, and finance professionals. Findings include evidence of the complex interplay between internal capabilities and external institutional structures that determine the pace and depth of green transformation. The findings reveal that financial challenges—particularly high borrowing costs, investor risk aversion, and the absence of specialized green finance instruments—constitute the most significant barriers to sustainability adoption. Conversely, government support mechanisms, technological advancement, and leadership commitment act as powerful enablers, promoting innovation and resilience. The study further demonstrates that SMEs’ ability to signal environmental and social value to investors depends on coherent policy frameworks and integrated public–private financing mechanisms. By integrating insights informed by theory and empirical data, this research proposes a multidimensional framework linking green finance accessibility, institutional readiness, and organizational capability development, advancing theoretical understanding of SME sustainability transitions. The findings provide actionable guidance for policymakers, financial institutions, and ecosystem stakeholders seeking to strengthen national green SME ecosystems and offer comparative insights for other economies pursuing sustainable and inclusive growth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100124"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An examination of barriers and enablers to circular economy transition among small and medium-sized enterprises in the Vietnamese fashion and textile industry","authors":"Minh Ha Nguyen,&nbsp;Saniyat Islam,&nbsp;Caroline Swee Lin Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global textile and fashion industry is the second-largest industrial polluter, driven by its linear 'take-make-dispose' model, necessitating a transformative shift toward the circular economy. Implementation faces unique challenges in developing countries where the economic cornerstone sector creates critical environmental tension. This qualitative study investigated the internal and external barriers and enablers influencing CE adoption among SMEs in the Vietnam F&amp;T sector. Drawing on Resource-Based View and Institutional Theory, data were collected through in-depth interviews with SME representatives, academic researchers, and government officials. Thematic analysis revealed key internal constraints (financial pressure, technological limits, a profit-first mindset, and knowledge gaps) and external impediments (weak customer demand, supply chain fragmentation, limited policy incentives, and infrastructure gaps). Nevertheless, enabling factors emerged, including strong leadership commitment, innovative business models, sustainability-oriented human resources, and capital sourcing networks, supported externally by market demand, stakeholder collaboration, and government regulations. The findings underscored that Vietnam's primary challenge was the absence of formal domestic recycling and reverse logistics systems, hindering the utilisation of readily available textile waste resources. This situation presented a significant opportunity for Vietnam to develop a new, high-value domestic circular industry. The study offers practical insights for policymakers and industry leaders to support SMEs in this transition with key recommendations focusing on capacity-building, improving infrastructure, and developing clearer regulatory frameworks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Income tax and renewable energy consumption in OECD countries: The influence of digitalization, globalization, and financial development","authors":"Ebaidalla M. Ebaidalla","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100126","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100126","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite extensive investigation into the factors driving the clean energy transition, the impact of income tax on renewable energy consumption (REC) has been overlooked. This study employs a newly compiled tax dataset covering OECD economies from 1990 to 2020 to investigate the influence of income tax on REC. The study also analyzes the moderating effects of digitalization, globalization, and financial development. Applying the Cross-Section Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model, the findings reveal that income tax exerts an adverse long-run effect on REC, indicating that higher income taxes discourage the adoption of renewable energy. Digitalization and globalization have positive and significant impacts on REC, while financial development shows a negative association. Moreover, the findings reveal that digitalization and globalization mitigate the adverse influence of income tax on REC, whereas the moderating effect of financial development is insignificant. Robustness checks using the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) model support these findings. The study recommends that fostering technological advancement and globalization are crucial to enhancing the effectiveness of fiscal policy in accelerating the low-carbon transition across OECD economies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100126"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forging sustainable futures: A mixed-methods analysis of customer loyalty in Thailand's home-building industry","authors":"Nisit Sittiasa,&nbsp;Aunchistha Poo-Udom","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100112","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100112","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The pursuit of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable cities requires a fundamental reevaluation of core industries. This study addresses this imperative by examining the drivers of customer loyalty within Thailand's volatile home-building sector, positioning loyalty as a strategic enabler of economic and social sustainability. In an environment of rising sustainability mandates and fragmenting consumer loyalty, the research aims to validate an integrated model that explains how sustainable business practices influence long-term customer relationships. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. The initial quantitative phase involved a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling analysis of survey data from 680 customers in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. This was followed by a qualitative phase, using thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 15 industry experts, academics, and clients to explain the quantitative results. The findings reveal a robust model that explains 72.4 % of the variance in customer loyalty. The analysis demonstrates that sustainable marketing communication does not directly influence loyalty; its impact is entirely mediated through service quality and the firm's management system. Service quality emerges as the most significant direct predictor, underscoring that the tangible experience is the primary loyalty engine. The study concludes that fostering customer loyalty through a holistic approach centered on demonstrable service excellence and managerial competence is vital to enhancing firm-level resilience and advancing the broader goals of sustainable urban development in an emerging economy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145749464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Theoretical model of green entrepreneurship and digital transformation in enhancing the sustainability of batik MSMEs with business innovation as a mediating variable","authors":"Akh Fawaid ,&nbsp;Masdukil Makruf ,&nbsp;Sayyidi Sayyidi ,&nbsp;Sri Wahyuni Fatmawati ,&nbsp;Ika Oktaviana Dewi","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2026.100135","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2026.100135","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Batik micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) around the world are increasingly facing pressure to adopt environmentally responsible practices while simultaneously adapting to rapid digital transformation. However, research that integrates environmental entrepreneurship, digital transformation, business innovation, and business sustainability—especially within culture-based creative industries—remains limited and fragmented. This study addresses this gap by developing a theoretical model that explains how environmentally oriented entrepreneurship and digital transformation influence innovation and long-term business sustainability in Batik MSMEs in Madura, Indonesia. A quantitative research design was employed using Structural Equation Modeling with the Partial Least Squares approach. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to batik MSME owners and managers, and analyzed using SmartPLS version 4. The findings show that environmentally oriented entrepreneurship and digital transformation both enhance business innovation and overall business sustainability, with innovation serving as a key mediating factor. That most Batik MSMEs actors display environmental awareness and engage in product innovation, although creative promotion remains relatively low. Indicators of sustainability also show positive tendencies, including stable profit patterns and the creation of permanent employment. This study contributes to the international literature by offering a culturally grounded model that integrates environmental and digital dimensions in creative microenterprises. The conclusions highlight the importance of strengthening innovation capabilities and supporting environmentally responsible digitalization as strategic pathways for ensuring the long-term sustainability of Batik MSMEs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146090160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding what makes sustainability education effective: Insights from a university certificate program","authors":"Laura Montes de Oca ,&nbsp;Maria Navarro ,&nbsp;Tyra Byers","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2026.100133","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2026.100133","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sustainability education is increasingly recognized as essential for preparing graduates to address global environmental, economic, and societal challenges. Yet limited research examines which program features most effectively foster lasting learning and professional readiness. This study explores the design and perceived impact of a university Sustainability Certificate Program (SCP) through alumni reflections, offering insights into program characteristics that support transformational learning. Using reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews from the 2018–2020 cohort, the study identifies four interrelated features that shaped outcomes: experiential learning opportunities that connected coursework with real-world application; inclusive and interdisciplinary pedagogical approaches; strong institutional and relational supports; and structured career preparation and professional development. Alumni described the SCP as a coherent, student-centered experience that cultivated sustainability competencies, personal growth, and long-term engagement with sustainability practices. Findings highlight how intentional integration of experiential strategies, competency-based design, and supportive learning environments can strengthen sustainability education. Implications include embedding applied learning across curricula, aligning pedagogy with competency frameworks, fostering inclusive learning communities that promote belonging, and linking academic experiences to career translation. While the study is limited by its small, self-selected sample and retrospective design, its insights are transferable to institutions seeking to design programs that bridge theory and practice and prepare graduates for sustainability-oriented careers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nurturing green behaviour: Exploring managerial competencies for effective green human resource management in hotels","authors":"Said Shabban Abdo ,&nbsp;David Edgar","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100102","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global environmental concerns are intensifying, placing organizations under pressure to integrate sustainability into their operations. Businesses, particularly in resource-intensive industries such as hospitality, must adopt environmentally responsible practices to reduce their ecological footprint and align with regulatory, societal, and consumer expectations. Employees play a crucial role in achieving these sustainability goals; however, fostering employee green behavior requires more than policy mandates, it necessitates a strategic approach that develops competencies, enhances motivation, and creates opportunities for sustainable practices. This study examines the factors related to managerial competencies employed by a multinational hotel organization operating in Egypt to facilitate employee green behavior and enhance sustainable performance. Using the Ability, Motivation, and Opportunity (AMO) theory as a conceptual framework, this study adopts a qualitative research design with semi-structured interviews conducted with seven highly experienced Egyptian national hotel general managers. Thematic analysis was performed to identify key managerial competencies influencing employees’ green behavior. The findings propose a Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices framework as a central mechanism for enhancing employees’ abilities, motivation, and opportunities to support sustainable performance. This framework is underpinned by three core managerial competencies, problem-solving, communication, and trust, developed through formal training, engagement strategies, knowledge-sharing, and trust-building initiatives. The research contributes to the conversations in the field by extending the AMO model to incorporate GHRM practices and highlighting the strategic importance of investing in managerial competencies and human resources to align employee development with corporate sustainability objectives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100102"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144523113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design for Disassembly: An analytical method for assessing target components for remanufacturing","authors":"Sofie Bach Hybel,&nbsp;Emilie Folkmann,&nbsp;Lykke Margot Ricard","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100113","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100113","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition to a circular economy requires products to be designed for recovery, reuse, and remanufacturing. Fastening systems and product architecture play a decisive role in enabling these strategies, yet practical methods for assessing design-for-disassembly (DfD) remain limited, partically at the component level. This paper presents an analytical method that adapts the disassembly mapping approach to evaluate small-scale mechatronic products, focusing on identifying target components for remanufacturing. The method integrates manual disassembly, CAD-based product architecture analysis, and generic life cycle assessment (LCA) data to assess both economic and environmental value. Three LEGO® mechatronic products were analysed as representative cases: the Yellow Hub, the Large Angled Blue Motor, and the Super Mario Figure. Across these cases, key design barriers were identified, including glued battery casings, hidden snap-fits, and soldered electronic clusters. The findings show that economically valuable components often coincide with those having the highest embodied energy and CO₂-eq, highlighting the alignment between environmental and economic motivations. The study proposes three design guidelines: (a) minimise disassembly steps to target components, (b) cluster and conserve electrical functionality (<em>Click-a-tronics</em>), and (c) standardise fastener systems. Together, these guidelines connect product architecture to circular design strategies and provide actionable insights for manufacturers aiming to integrate remanufacturing into product development and comply with emerging Ecodesign standards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100113"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145527984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive analysis of plastic regulations in Ecuador: Evaluating the path to a circular economy","authors":"Valeria Ochoa-Herrera ,&nbsp;Mónica Apraez ,&nbsp;Daniela Flor ,&nbsp;Camila Flores ,&nbsp;Melanie Valencia ,&nbsp;Alexandra Velasco","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100108","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100108","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transition towards a circular economy to address plastic pollution is more critical than ever. In low-middle income countries (LMICs), like Ecuador, this challenge is intensified by inadequate waste management infrastructure and recycling facilities. High rates of informal waste disposal, including incineration and dumping in waterbodies or open land, are common, largely due to the absence of comprehensive municipal waste collection systems. Within this context, the aim of this research is to evaluate how Ecuador is moving towards a circular economy to reduce plastic pollution. This involves a comprehensive analysis of relevant policies, focusing on the nature of the discourse, the experiences of frontline stakeholders involved in implementation, and identifying key barriers. The findings highlight that a diverse range of stakeholders, including national and local governments, the private sector, and civil society, have undertaken initiatives to regulate plastic usage and implement related policies. However, despite the existence of regulations and initiatives, a critical gap between national and local regulations coupled with a lack of technical guidelines for implementation raises concern. Challenges to the effectiveness of these instruments and initiatives for plastic management in the country were identified with the regulatory barriers emerging as the most prevalent. At the same time, the existing regulatory documents follow a mainly reformist discourse pointing towards a general optimist approach that would also like to holistically address social issues in alignment with technology development to aid the transition. Reinforcing national policies, fostering robust local directives, establishing clear and trackable objectives within each regulation, and forging cross-sector alliances are among the key proposed strategies to overcome those challenges. A comprehensive roadmap for sustainable plastic management is essential, incorporating gender considerations for inclusivity and actively involving waste pickers. These approaches provide a solid foundation for informing future strategies and policy development in the country.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145332571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Embracing LCA: Understanding and facilitating adoption in manufacturing firms","authors":"Synnøve Hjellvik ,&nbsp;Arjan F. Kirkels","doi":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100101","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clpl.2025.100101","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Companies increasingly apply Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to assess the environmental impact of products. A broad body of literature exists on applying product-level LCA that identifies drivers and barriers. However, a more systemic and theoretical insight into its adoption in manufacturing companies is largely lacking. We fill this gap by conceptualizing LCA implementation as innovation adoption over different stages. We do so by literature review and a cross-case analysis of nine manufacturing companies.</div><div>Drivers and barriers from the literature are mapped, and the cases validate their current relevance. LCA as innovation shows strong compatibility with company internal and external drivers, which suggests a shift compared to findings in the literature. Barriers are mainly complexity, lack of data, and practical constraints. Subsequently, a conceptual model is constructed following Rogers' diffusion model. It shows how companies gradually acquire the knowledge and skills to apply and interpret LCA and subsequently institutionalize and integrate it into the regular company activities, as well as the required support, guidance, and means to make it through subsequent stages. A prescriptive design science approach translates this into guidelines for companies on how to start and increase adoption. Managers and policymakers can draw from this general insight to support the implementation of LCA.</div><div>While this research shows diffusion theory's theoretical and practical relevance, insights are limited by the qualitative and explorative approach as well as by the limitations of diffusion theory. Further validation and differentiation can help to understand the influence of external context, internal company characteristics, and integration with broader business management and transition studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100255,"journal":{"name":"Cleaner Production Letters","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100101"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144338960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}