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Abstract
The research examined the difficulties faced by SMEs in the Latacunga canton regarding their operational efficiency, resource management, waste management, and expense monitoring, which negatively impact their profitability and competitiveness. Therefore, the main purpose was to identify circular economy measures that facilitate cost reduction in companies. A quantitative methodology was used, with a design combining descriptive and correlational aspects, through a structured questionnaire using a Likert scale. The sample consisted of 277 SME representatives, including owners, managers, administrators, and employees. The findings revealed high levels of adoption of circular economy practices and cost reductions; additionally, Spearman's Rho was 0.895 with a significance level of 0.000. It was concluded that the circular economy plays a crucial role in resource optimization, waste reduction, cost control, and strengthening business sustainability.
References
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