Foresight for Small and Medium Enterprises in the Context of the Circular Economy

Abstract

Small, medium, and micro enterprises make important contributions to economic growth and employment. Based on evidence from of the tire processing industry in Ecuador, this article assesses the development prospects for such companies in the context of the transition to a circular economy. The methodological basis of the study is scenario planning. Five scenario hypotheses are proposed and the probability of their implementation is estimated. The most optimal scenario (in which all five hypotheses are realized) is feasible and subject to a set of measures, including the development of new management and marketing tools, the involvement of universities and research centers in the creation of new low-cost waste processing technologies, and the organization of a special fund to support research and development in companies focused on the circular model.