Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Ali Motevali ¹
• Ali Mobini Dehkordi ²
• Hossein Sadeghi ³

¹ Master student in Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran. Tehran. Iran

² Associate Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran. Tehran. Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran. Tehran. Iran

Abstract

The need to transition to an economic system that does not exceed environmental constraints requires a great deal of effort to address sustainability issues. In this regard, the circular economy model is expanding at political, commercial, and academic levels. The present study aimed to identify and analyze the factors influencing the entrepreneurial ecotourism based on circular economy. Having retrieved a total of 152 articles from the Google Scholar database, the study applied various filters and identified the most relevant articles (i.e., 14 items) regarding title, abstract, methodology, and article text. A meta-synthesis approach was used to analyze the articles, which led to the identification of 62 open codes and, at a higher level, seven core codes. The extracted categories were finally categorized under three stages: pre-circulation (empowerment and value creation), circulation (technology and biocentrism), and post-circulation (recycling and continuity).
Introduction
Despite being classified as a service sector that produces intangible services, tourism relies on vast amounts and flows of inexhaustible natural resources. However, it largely reflects a linear production model (Manniche et al., 2021), which is based on a linear model of production and consumption, namely extraction/production and consumption/disposal, which depletes natural resources and produces waste. The current linear economy neither optimizes the use of materials nor promotes recycling and reuse of waste. Therefore, policymakers and stakeholders worldwide have increasingly focused on the concept of circular economy (CE). However, much of the CE literature has been developed mainly for the manufacturing sector, with only a limited number of sources devoted to the tourism sector, where massive consumption of energy and water, food waste, congestion problems, and CO2 emissions are prevailing (Rodríguez et al., 2020). Nonetheless, there is a growing focus on CE in order to address sustainability challenges. CE is emerging as a transformational model with economic, environmental, and social benefits (Clube & Tennant, 2020). It is gaining popularity in academia, industry, and policymaking as an alternative model that reduces resource consumption and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. Business models are essential for implementing this concept at the organizational level (Geissdoerfera et al., 2020). However, there are very few documented initiatives on CE in the tourism industry, and this area has yet to be fully explored. CE is considered a relatively new paradigm that can contribute to a more sustainable tourism industry. In this respect, the tourism industry is worthy of further attention since it plays an essential role in economic transformation due to its multiplier effect on the whole economy and its capacity to encourage cyclical flows among suppliers and customers.
Materials and Methods
The current study is a qualitative research based on the meta-synthesis approach which involves examination of the data and findings extracted from other qualitative studies related to a research topic. It is worth noting that meta-synthesis is not the same as a comprehensive review of the qualitative literature. In meta-synthesis, the secondary and primary data analysis is applied not to the studies themselves but to their findings, so it involves combining interpretations of the primary data from the selected studies. This approach focuses on qualitative studies that do not necessarily cover a broad theoretical basis and, instead of providing a comprehensive summary of the findings, creates an interpretive synthesis of the findings (Zimmer, 2006). The sample of the present study consisted of a number of qualitative studies selected according to their relevance to the research question (Walsh & Down, 2005). Having retrieved a total of 152 articles from the Google Scholar database, the study applied various filters and identified the most relevant articles (i.e., 14 items) regarding title, abstract, methodology, and article text. They were then analyzed through a meta-synthesis approach, leading to the identification of several themes and categories.
Results and Discussion
The extracted categories were categorized under three stages: pre-circulation (empowerment and value creation), circulation (technology and biocentrism), and post-circulation (recycling and continuity).
Conclusion
The primary purpose of this study was to identify and analyze previous research in the field of CE and its relationship with the tourism industry. Based on the analysis of the relevant articles, the extraction categories were categorized under three stages: pre-circulation (empowerment and value creation), circulation (technology and biocentrism), and post-circulation (recycling and continuity). The research findings suggest that developing the tourism industry based on CE approach is considered essential for sustainable growth and development of regions. The industry’s evolution towards CE to minimize its environmental footprint is of great importance. Circular tourism emphasizes the reuse of goods and waste recycling, and considers the use of second-hand rental goods and facilities as a valuable measure. In circular tourism, unlike linear tourism, the tour process does not end with the completion of the tour but enters the post-tour stage, which is as important as the tour stage. Compared to previous research, the present study is innovative in both practical and theoretical aspects. It is innovative in terms of research because it is one of the first studies in Iran to address the issue of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the tourism industry with an emphasis on CE. Secondly, it looked at the conditions and advantages of tourism from an ecosystem perspective. The research findings can be useful for policymakers concerned with improving competitiveness and creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurial businesses. The novelty of this study lies in the contribution it makes by providing the relevant policymakers with a refined and new insight into the topic.

Keywords

• circular economy
• tourism ecosystem
• ecotourism
• entrepreneurship
• meta-synthesis

Main Subjects

• tourism management