Despite participation of many firms and institutions in sustainable business networks, there is little evidence to suggest the causal effects of improved sustainability performance are exclusively due to network participation. It is not clear as to whether participation in networks has significant impacts on the uptake of CE practices. This research aims to assess the role of sustainable business networks in promoting a circular Economy in Africa. It assesses, roles of networks, activities, information dissemination, network governance, power dynamics, business models, barriers, success factors, challenges, opportunities and recommends approaches to scaling up the effectiveness of networks. The key questions which arise in this discourse are related to how networks impact on Circular Economy uptake in SMEs; whether formulating networks will be the panacea to sustainability challenges affecting industries in the developing world and if this is the case how the networks be constituted and oriented.
Despite multiple research projects on the nature, function and effects of networks there are still knowledge gaps regarding the success factors for network management and collaborations in multiple contexts. The focus of this research is to assess the role of networks and develop a networking model for sustainable business networks in Africa. Furthermore, it will identify the success factors for network activities and recommend effective strategies for sustainable business networking in African countries. Key researcher of the University of Twente involved in the project include Tawanda Collins Muzamwese.
Promoters: Michiel Heldeweg, Laura Franco-Garcia and Kris Lulofs.
Key publications
A total of 3 publications have been produced so far based on this research in reputable international journals.
https://wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/wene.506
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s43615-023-00315-9.pdf
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clcb.2023.100071
Picture: Tawanda Collins Muzamwese (University of Twente, PhD Candidate standing right) standing in front of a truck with waste bales alongside Mr Tawanda Masuka (Chief Operating Officer of PETRECOZIM after completing Case Study Interviews at a waste recycling networks.