Women Led Firms and Circular Bioeconomy Actions: A Systematic Literature Review

This paper is an initial study concerning the role of women in firms in supporting circular bioeconomy practices. Moreover, circular bioeconomy could generate economic opportunities for women, boosting female and green entrepreneurship. The objective of the research is twofold. On the one hand the study investigates whether women-led firms adopt more circular economy practices than men-led businesses. On the other hand, the research investigates whether the circular bioeconomy could generate economic opportunities for women by encouraging female entrepreneurship. To achieve the proposed objectives, a bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review have been conducted. The results are overall consistent with the research questions. Female entrepreneurs as well as female directors or female employees plays a critical role in achieving sustainable economy and sustainable development, also in social and environmental dimensions. At the same time, the growth of the service sector, stimulated by the transition to a circular economy and bioeconomy, could provide more opportunities for female employment.