Driving circular economy adoption through top management commitment and organisational motivation: a quantitative study on small- and medium-sized enterprises

Purpose This paper aims to influence top management commitment and organisational motivation on small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) adoption of circular economy practices in the United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 438 middle- and higher-level managers, owners, directors and chief executive officers of SMEs through an online survey. The theoretical model was tested using structural equation modelling. Findings The results reveal positive relationships between top management commitment, organisational motivation and circular economy adoption. Furthermore, organisational motivation partially mediates the impact of top management commitment on adoption, highlighting the importance of both direct and indirect influences of leadership. Originality/value This study contributes to the emerging discourse on circular economy adoption in emerging markets by offering insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders and SMEs aiming for sustainable growth amidst resource constraints.