A Circular Canvas for Manufacturing MSMEs to Support the Transition toward the Circular Economy

Gonzales-Valencia S.; Chipana-Garcia W.; Rojas-Tunque T.; Vidal-Duarte E. · IEEE Conference on Technologies for Sustainability, SusTech (2026) · DOI: 10.1109/sustech67720.2026.11536609

Resumen

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the manufacturing sector play a central role in developing countries economies but face significant barriers to adopting circular economy (CE) practices due to technological, financial, and operational constraints. While prior studies provide conceptual frameworks, readiness models, or barrier assessments, few offer operational artifacts that integrate lifecycle thinking with business model redesign tailored to MSMEs. This study proposes a Circular Canvas for Manufacturing MSMEs developed through a structured Design Science Research approach. The framework was constructed through systematic literature synthesis, gap identification, requirement definition, and modular architecture design. The resulting artifact integrates five interdependent modules: Environmental Assessment, Sustainable Design, Circular Market, Operations, and Economic Viability, explicitly linking Life Cycle Assessment diagnostics to business model reconfiguration and incremental transition pathways. Unlike existing circular business model frameworks, the proposed Canvas embeds environmental monitoring logic within managerial decision blocks and structures adoption into progressive maturity levels. By operationalizing circular transformation as a coherent, scalable management pathway rather than a conceptual abstraction, the framework contributes a practical tool to support technology-enabled sustainability transitions in resource-constrained manufacturing MSMEs.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa