An Analysis of Bottlenecks in Municipality-SME Interactions during the Circular Transition at the Dutch Local Level
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2025-11-04
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en
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The circular economy (CE) has existed in the Netherlands for a few years, with the aim of achieving 100% circularity by 2050. This national objective means that municipalities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must determine how to implement the CE at a local level. This thesis examines the obstacles to the collaboration between municipalities and SMEs in the Dutch transition to a circular economy. First, it considers the issues faced by municipalities. This is followed by an analysis of the issues faced by SMEs and the problems in the interaction between the two. The research was conducted through 14 semi-structured interviews and a qualitative survey. The analysis combined the Policy Arrangement Approach, outlining the context and content of the CE transition, with the Collaborative Governance framework, capturing the interaction between municipalities and SMEs in the process. The results reveal five dominant bottlenecks: fragmented networks, subsidies and governance; a lack of direction and leadership; a gap between policy and practice; the participation of only a select group; and cultural bottlenecks involving linear routines, risk aversion and mutual prejudices. It is recommended that CE be embedded in policy and organisation, proven practices be adopted and scaled up, chain cooperation and market security be guaranteed, and knowledge be shared systematically.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen