@article {1374,
	title = {Using Foresight to Shape Future Expectations in Circular Economy SMEs},
	journal = {Technology Innovation Management Review},
	volume = {10},
	year = {2020},
	month = {07/2020},
	pages = {42-51},
	publisher = {Talent First Network},
	chapter = {42},
	address = {Ottawa},
	abstract = {Future foresight in business plays a central role in firms\&rsquo; strategic planning, innovation, and product development activities. This is particularly true for the firms that are operating in rapidly changing business environments, in which a firm may obtain significant competitive advantages by coming up with new innovations and customer solutions. This article studies future foresight mechanisms and practices in innovative SMEs operating in circular economy\&ndash;related industries. The future demands set by legislation and regulation, consumer buying behaviour, and environmental consciousness, all have a strong impact on an SME\&rsquo;s future horizon, in which there may be prosperous business opportunities as well as several challenges. This paper presents a qualitative case study conducted on seven Finnish circular economy-oriented SMEs. The case study reveals that the SMEs in this industrial sector are quite active in foresight activities, and that they have developed a variety of practices for effectively utilizing foresight information in their product development and strategic planning activities.},
	keywords = {circular economy, foresight, innovation, PESTEL, SMEs},
	issn = {1927-0321},
	doi = {http://doi.org/10.22215/timreview/1374},
	url = {timreview.ca/article/1374},
	author = {Anne-Mari J{\"a}rvenp{\"a}{\"a} and Iivari Kunttu and Mikko M{\"a}ntyneva}
}
