Post by Giulia Fontanelli

I am pleased to share that my paper, “Eco-Innovation and Firm Performance: The Role of Circular Economy Investments and Human Capital among SMEs in Emilia-Romagna”, has been published in the SEEDS Economics Working Paper Series. This research investigates the relationship between eco-innovation, circular economy investments, sustainability-oriented human capital (HC), and firm performance among SMEs operating in Emilia-Romagna, using firm-level evidence from the Ecosister Project, Spoke 5 – Circular Economy (C.E.) and Blue Economy. The study contributes to the growing literature on innovation economics, sustainability transitions, and C.E. by examining how firms integrate environmental objectives into their development strategies through resource-efficiency measures, cleaner production processes, circular products, waste reduction initiatives, and sustainability-oriented organisational practices. Particular attention is devoted to two dimensions that are increasingly recognised as crucial drivers of sustainable competitiveness: C.E. Investment Intensity, capturing firms’ commitment to C.E. transition pathways through investments in circular design, material recovery, industrial symbiosis, product life extension, and waste valorisation; and C.E. Human Capital, reflecting the role of specialised employees dedicated to C.E. related activities, organisational learning, and knowledge diffusion. The findings suggest that sustainability-oriented transformation is not limited to the adoption of isolated environmental practices. Rather, firms are increasingly combining eco-innovation, strategic investments, and specialised HC as complementary elements of broader organisational and competitive development strategies. The evidence highlights how sustainability transitions involve technological innovation, organisational transformation, capability development, and long-term strategic commitment. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Massimiliano Mazzanti, Director of the Department of Economics and Management at the Università degli Studi di Ferrara, for publishing this work within the SEEDS Economics Working Paper Series and, above all, for his continuous guidance, invaluable support, and precious advice throughout the entire research process. His mentorship, encouragement, and trust have been fundamental to the development of this study. Thank you, Professor Massimiliano Mazzanti, for believing in me and for supporting my academic growth and research journey. A special thank you also goes to Professor Francesco Nicolli and Professor Emy Zecca for their support, constructive feedback, and encouragement throughout this experience. As a young researcher, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on innovation, sustainability, and circular economy transitions, and I look forward to further developing this research agenda in the future. https://lnkd.in/db75euzH