Assessing the Determinants of Performance in the Recycling Business: Evidence from the Italian Context

This study aims to shed light on the elements that can influence the performance of green businesses, more specifically, organizations active within the recycling business. After defining and identifying green businesses, the paper focuses on the Italian recycling business, examining whether the green practices and features of a green business can influence the organization's performance. Using a quantitative methodology with a sample of 87 Italian organizations whose core business is recycling, and applying a model of multiple linear regression, the results show that large, old organizations that count public entities among their shareholders demonstrate better economic results. The originality of this study lies in the link between green practices and green businesses, exploring which structures are efficient and are driving elements of these recycling organizations. These findings offer several contributions to theory and practice and for policymakers.