The implementation of circular economy practices is a current and important topic. Despite extensive research on CE barriers in various industries and countries, there is limited discussion on circular economy challenges in port areas. This paper aims at empirically studying circular economy implementation, its associated obstacles, and the levers to overcome them by mobilizing institutional theory. To this end, we studied six cases of companies, located in a port area in France, that have implemented circular economy in their practices. We deployed a qualitative case study methodology. As results, we have identified 41 challenges divided into 5 groups: (1) economic-financial-market, (2) organizational-managerial-cultural, (3) technical-technological, (4) regulatory-governmental, (5) supply chain. The results were then interpreted through the lens of institutional theory. We found that institutional mechanisms – coercive, normative, mimetic, and informal instruments – can be mobilized so as to meet each of the challenges.
Keywords: Challenges, Institutional Theory, circular economy, circular supply chain, institutional mechanisms, port
