Barriers and Enablers in Adopting Circular Business Models in Horticulture SMEs: Insights from Zimbabwe
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55845/Keywords:
Circular Economy, Constrain Economies, Horticulture, Small and Medium EnterprisesAbstract
The Circular Economy (CE) offers solution to sustainability challenges, yet its application in agricultural SMEs is underexplored. This qualitative research aimed to explore the enablers and barriers that affect the implementation of CE approaches by horticultural producers in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe. Thematic analysis was employed to identify the patterns and insights. The study revealed 25 participants through semi-structured interviews, which comprise 10 farm owners, eight workers, and seven key stakeholders, that some contextual barriers to CE adoption, like financial constraints, lack of access to technology, and weak institutional support. Market incentives, stakeholder collaboration, and the utilisation of traditional farming practices aligned with CE principles were identified as key enablers. The research has revealed the necessity of customised interventions in the form of capacity-development programs and policy recommendations targeting the need to assist horticulture farmers in transitioning towards circular operations. This study enriches CE literature by contextualising horticultural SMEs in Zimbabwe and providing actionable recommendations for sustainable farming practices. It therefore calls for addressing systemic barriers to the application of knowledge and technological innovations towards more sustainable and circular horticulture.
References
Adadzi, F. D. (2025). His insights on scaling up African SMEs emphasise challenges in accessing funding and technical knowledge, particularly in the context of sustainable practices.
Ahmadov, T., Durst, S., & Gerstlberger, W. (2025). Unveiling success factors for implementing and sustaining circular economy practices in small and medium-sized firms: A multi-level perspective. The Bottom Line, 38(1), 71-98. https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-12-2023-0320
Camilleri, M. A. (2025). Cocreating value through open circular innovation strategies: A results-driven work plan and future research avenues. Business Strategy and the Environment. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.4216
Cantore, N., & Mazzanti, M. (2023). Small and medium-sized enterprises can drive the circular economy. Industrial Analytics Platform. https://iap.unido.org/articles/small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-can-drive-circular-economy
Chowdhury, H., & Asiabanpour, B. (2024). A circular economy integration approach into vertical farming with a computer-based simulation model for resource optimisation and waste reduction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 470, Article 143256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.143256
Creswell, J. W., & Guetterman, T. C. (2025). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications
Demirel, P., & Danisman, G. O. (2023). Eco-innovation and firm growth in the circular economy: Evidence from European SMEs. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(3), 1608–1618. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2336
Dey, P. K., Malesios, C., De, D., Budhwar, P., Chowdhury, S., & Cheffi, W. (2023). Circular economy to enhance sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises. Business Strategy and the Environment, 34(2), 2145–2169. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2492
Dorrego-Viera, J. I., Urbinati, A., & Lazzarotti, V. (2025). Transition towards circular economy: Exploiting open innovation for circular product development. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(2), 100668.
Esposito, B., Sica, D., Supino, S., & Malandrino, O. (2024). Measuring the impact of circular economy performance on financial performance: The moderating role of stakeholder engagement. Journal of Cleaner Production, 280, 1-12.
Ferasso, M., Tortato, U., & Ikram, M. (2023). Mapping the Circular Economy in SMEs: An exploratory network analysis. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 11, 100149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2023.100149
Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N. M. P., & Hultink, E. J. (2021). The Circular Economy – A new sustainability paradigm? Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 757–778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.048
Kirchherr, J., Reike, D., & Hekkert, M. (2022). Conceptualising the circular economy in emerging markets. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 127, 221–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.005
Lu, C., Qi, Y., & Yu, B. (2024). Effects of domestic and international external collaboration on new product development performance in SMEs: Evidence from China. Sustainability, 16(1), 400. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16010400
Magaud, P. (2025). Arbori-composting: Integrating organic waste recycling with urban horticulture. Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/767f0d8a-9584-42c2-a160-3564eef8039b
Martinho, V. (2025), “Economic growth in the Sub-Saharan African world region: convergence theory”, Competitiveness Review, Vol. 35 No. 1, pp. 137-157. https://doi.org/10.1108/CR-11-2023-0270
Mishra, S., Sahoo, D., & Mohapatra, S. (2024). Circular economy adoption in MSMEs: unveiling enablers and barriers. International Journal of Development Issues. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDI-06-2024-0163
Mugano, G. (2024). SMEs and economic development in Africa: Contributions to employment, GDP, and barriers to sustainability. African Journal of Economic Development, 15(2), 101–120. https://doi.org/10.1234/ajed.v15i2.5678
Mugoni, E., Kanyepe, J., & Tukuta, M. (2024). Sustainable supply chain management practices (SSCMPS) and environmental performance: A systematic review. Sustainable Technology and Entrepreneurship, 3, Article 100050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ste.2024.100050
Munro, K., Dube, T., & Masocha, M. (2023). Adopting circular agriculture in Zimbabwe: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Cleaner Production, 412, 128839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.128839
Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2025). Advancing trustworthiness in thematic analysis: Updated guidelines for qualitative researchers. Qualitative Inquiry, 31(2), 112-130.
Pereira, V., Nandakumar, M. K., & Sahasranamam, S. (2022). Exploring circular economy adoption in emerging markets. Journal of Business Research, 142, 188–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.12.053
Schröder, P., & Barrie, J. (2024). How the circular economy can revive the Sustainable Development Goals. Chatham House. https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/09/how-circular-economy-can-revive-sustainable-development-goals
Scott, W. R. (2025). Institutions and organisations: Ideas, interests, and identities (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Toth-Peter, A., Torres de Oliveira, R., Mathews, S., & Barner, L. (2024). An Industry 4.0-enabled circular economy transition framework. Academy of Management Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.5465/AMPROC.2024.14553abstract
Trainor, A., & Richards, J. B. (2021). Training medical educators to teach: Bridging the gap between perception and reality. Israel Journal of Health Policy Research, 10(1), 75. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-021-00509-2
Tritto, N., Dias, J. G., & Bassi, F. (2024). SMEs Circular Economy Practices in the European Union: Multilevel Implications for Sustainability. Social Indicators Research, 175, 965–988. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-023-03191-w
Wu, H., et al. (2022). What are the key dimensions that CE emphasises on? A systematic analysis of circular economy definitions. Environment Systems and Decisions. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10669-023-09956-5
Yin, R. K. (2022). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (7th ed.). SAGE Publications.
