Circular economy (CE) has evolved as a result of the growing environmental awareness, environmental legislation and the need for social responsibility. However, awareness levels of CE are not as high as expected and practices are further behind than they should be, with a significant lack of research around the subject in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the current state of awareness levels and the practices around CE in manufacturing firms. Moreover, the study aims to empirically validate one of the earlier proposed CE models.,The study adopts a quantitative survey questionnaire based approach. More than 500 people from various manufacturing organisations were contacted directly over a 40-day long sampling process through the FAME database, personal contacts and LinkedIn. The survey resulted in 103 completed responses. Given the exploratory nature of the study, the data were mainly analysed using descriptive statistics. To validate the CE model, a correlation analysis was also conducted.,The research findings show that with the growing emphasis on CE across the globe by governing bodies, firms are becoming more aware of CE practices. The analysis also shows some useful insights on the state of each of the pillars (economic benefits, environmental impact and resource scarcity) of CE. The findings also indicate that the environmental impact pillar of CE is at a more developed state than the other two pillars which are, mostly, in a research state.,The study provides manufacturing firms with a thorough understanding of the state of CE practices and importance of its successful implementation. The findings of the study advocates consideration of all three pillars of CE by managers as a guide to plan for an efficient strategy around CE implementation. Moreover, our study adds to existing efforts by the academic community to raise the awareness towards CE practice among all relevant stakeholders. The findings of this study are based on the responses from a limited 103 survey responses from manufacturing firms.,This study adds to the very limited empirical literature on CE awareness and practices in manufacturing firms. This is also one of the first studies attempting to empirically validate an existing CE model.

中文翻译：

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了解制造企业的循环经济意识和实践

不断增长的环境意识，环境立法和对社会责任的需求，导致了循环经济（CE）的发展。然而，对CE的认识水平不如预期的高，实践远远落后于应有的水平，文献中对此主题的研究也很缺乏。因此，本文的目的是研究制造企业中CE意识的现状和实践。此外，本研究旨在实证验证较早提出的CE模型之一。本研究采用基于定量调查问卷的方法。在长达40天的抽样过程中，通过FAME数据库，个人联系人和LinkedIn，直接与来自不同制造组织的500多人进行了联系。该调查结果完成了103份答复。考虑到研究的探索性，主要使用描述性统计数据对数据进行分析。为了验证CE模型，还进行了相关分析。研究结果表明，随着全球理事机构越来越重视CE，企业越来越意识到CE实践。分析还显示了关于消费电子的每个支柱的状态（经济利益，环境影响和资源稀缺）的一些有用的见解。研究结果还表明，与其他两个主要处于研究状态的支柱相比，CE的环境影响支柱处于更加发达的状态。该研究为制造企业提供了对CE做法状态和重要性的透彻了解。它的成功实施。该研究的结果主张管理者应考虑CE的所有三个支柱，以指导制定有关CE实施的有效策略。此外，我们的研究增加了学术界为提高所有相关利益相关者对CE实践的认识所做的现有努力。这项研究的结果是基于对制造业公司有限的103项调查的回答得出的。该研究增加了关于制造业公司对CE意识和实践的经验文献。这也是尝试以经验方式验证现有CE模型的第一批研究之一。我们的研究增加了学术界现有的努力，以提高所有相关利益相关者对CE实践的认识。这项研究的结果是基于对制造业公司有限的103项调查的回答得出的。该研究增加了关于制造业公司对CE意识和实践的经验文献。这也是尝试以经验方式验证现有CE模型的首批研究之一。我们的研究增加了学术界现有的努力，以提高所有相关利益相关者对CE实践的认识。这项研究的结果是基于对制造业公司有限的103项调查的回答得出的。该研究增加了关于制造业公司对CE意识和实践的经验文献。这也是尝试以经验方式验证现有CE模型的首批研究之一。