Social Sustainability and Continuous Learning in the Circular Economy Framework

2020 ◽  
pp. 678-691
Author(s):  
Minna Lanz ◽  
Eeva Järvenpää
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Continuous Learning

scholarly journals Biomimetic Organisations: A Management Model that Learns from Nature

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2329
Author(s):  
Edita Olaizola ◽  
Rafael Morales-Sánchez ◽  
Marcos Eguiguren Huerta
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Management Model ◽  
Corporate Management ◽  
Continuous Learning ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social

Since the end of the last century, different approaches for corporate management have been appearing that try to incorporate the social advances that are being produced and disseminated thanks to the greater capacity of communication available through social networks and other traditional avenues. Among the best known are Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, the Circular Economy, and Collaborative Economics. All of them add value to organisations, and all of them have a common characteristic: they are anthropocentric approaches. Our proposal goes a step further: we need a worldview that is capable of placing organisations in a position of continuous learning looking at nature, because it is the best way to integrate into it as a more ecosystem and thus achieve its flowering respecting the once to all the other subsystems that make up the planet: Organizational Biomimicry. This work compares the anthropocentric vision with the worldview at the same time that it offers a guide of the essential steps so that Organizational Biomimicry is the new model of corporate management.

scholarly journals Assessing the social sustainability of circular economy practices: Industry perspectives from Italy and the Netherlands

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 831-844
Author(s):  
Anna M. Walker ◽  
Katelin Opferkuch ◽  
Erik Roos Lindgreen ◽  
Alberto Simboli ◽  
Walter J.V. Vermeulen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
The Social

scholarly journals A Sustainable Circular Economy: Exploring Stakeholder Interests in Finland

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-62
Author(s):  
Maili Marjamaa ◽  
Hanna Salminen ◽  
Johanna Kujala ◽  
Riikka Tapaninaho ◽  
Anna Heikkinen
Keyword(s):  
Stakeholder Theory ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Stakeholder Collaboration ◽  
Stakeholder Relationships ◽  
Social Perspectives ◽  
Stakeholder Interests ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective

A circular economy (CE) is a promising solution to the looming sustainability crisis. Previous research has shown that a systemic transition from a linear economy to a CE requires stakeholder collaboration across all levels of society. Yet, little is known about stakeholder interests in a CE. The purpose of this study is to examine stakeholder interests regarding a sustainable CE in Finland. The data of 26 expert interviews is analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The study contributes to previous CE research by adding a stakeholder perspective in the examination of a sustainable CE. Stakeholder interests are explicated in terms of value-based motivations, expectations and stakes. We conclude that the consideration of stakeholder interests is relevant for understanding stakeholder collaboration in the CE context. The study shows that the economic, ecological and local social perspectives are emphasized in a sustainable CE. More attention to global social sustainability issues is needed. Research questions: The purpose of our study is to examine stakeholder interests with regard to the sustainable circular economy in Finland. Link to theory: The theoretical framework of the study builds on stakeholder theory, and uses the issue-focused stakeholder approach. We explore stakeholder interests as value-based motivations, expectations and stakes. Thereby, we advance the theoretical and empirical understanding of stakeholder interests and stakeholder collaboration in the context of CE. Phenomenon studied: Stakeholders have a prominent role in promoting the transition to the sustainable CE. This study focuses on a core issue in stakeholder theory: stakeholder interests. In doing so, the study creates knowledge on the nuanced interests and collaboration towards the sustainable CE. Case context: The context of our study is Finland, the northernmost member state of the European Union. Finland provides with an interesting research context as the target of the Finnish government is to make Finland a global leader in the circular economy by 2025. Findings: The findings indicate that the key stakeholders share a joint interest in promoting a sustainable CE. Stakeholders are active in shaping actions towards a sustainable CE, too. Stakeholders emphasize the economic and ecological interests, while social interests - especially wider global social sustainability perspective - remains less important especially among companies and partly industrial organizations. Discussions: Building on stakeholder theory, the study provides a nuanced understanding of how stakeholder interests can be defined and examined as value-based motivations, expectations and stakes. The study demonstrates that stakeholders simultaneously pursue their own CE interests as well as shared interests to promote the sustainable CE in Finland. Moreover, the study suggests that stakeholder interests can be used to create understanding of the dimensions of sustainable development that constitute the sustainable CE. More specifically, the study shows that economic, ecological and local social perspectives related to the sustainable CE are predominantly emphasized. Analyzing stakeholder interests is important since they create a foundation for stakeholder engagement, stakeholder relationships and value creation.

scholarly journals Compost, Social Sustainability, and Circular Economy in Guatemala

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Kumble
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Urban Environment ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
At Risk Youth ◽  
Guatemala City ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Start Up

The research presented in this chapter explores a variety of objectives: first, what are the dynamics and associated requirements for initiating a new start-up composting business that would embrace the principles of Circular Economy? Secondly, is there a market for compost both in an urban environment and for farmers regionally in a development world economy such as Guatemala? With this, how can employment opportunities for at-risk youth from the most impoverished neighborhood in Guatemala City be created while adhering to the tenants of social sustainability? And finally, what were the requirements involved in making compost in the challenging high altitude climatic conditions of Guatemala City?

Circular Economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 47-57
Author(s):  
Dipanwita Jena
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Multinational Companies ◽  
Recent Time ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Critical Aspect ◽  
Zero Waste ◽  
Key Players ◽  
Ideological Dimension

The ongoing discourse of zero-waste and the circular economy in recent time have been underscored by key players, such as the European Commission, NGOs, INGOs, academia, and multinational companies. The discourse revolves around the fact that capitalist form of development has pushed the environment to the brink of destruction. The need of the hour is sustainable growth through the model of the circular economy. Thus, the idea of growth is being de-politicized by a post-growth narrative. This chapter wants to delve into the critical aspect of circular economy which propounds itself as a solution to capitalism driven growth. The first theme it addresses the actual materialization of circular economy whether it is actually a possible phenomenon or not. The second theme it deals with the concept of social sustainability and fulfillment of human wants. The last theme revolves around ideological dimension of post-growth, how the circular growth in the garb of post-growth ideology propels and legitimizes a more growth -driven society.

RAIN - A Living Lab Concept for Circular Economy, Cooperation and Innovation in Rural Regions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Rural Regions ◽  
Federal Institute ◽  
Living Lab

<p>Klaus Wagner, Sigrid Egartner, Heidelinde Grüneis, Karin Heinschink, Julia Niedermayr</p><p>Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research</p><p>Dietrichgasse 27, 1030 Vienna, Austria</p><p>Tel: +43 1 71100 637426, Contact: [email protected], www.bab.gv.at</p><p> </p><p>“Living Lab Research Concept in Rural Areas” (LIVERUR) is an EU-H2020 programme funded project, running from 2018 to 2021. The LIVERUR consortium consists of 23 partners from 13 countries, coordinated by Universida Catolica de Murcia (Spain), see https://liverur.eu.</p><p> </p><p>The project aims at modernising small and medium rural businesses in the EU and its neighbouring countries by introducing the Rural Living Lab research methodology. It will identify, analyse and test various specific rural business model approaches. It drafts a new Regional Circular Living Lab Business Model Concept (RAIN) - integrating living lab-, circular economy- and multi-actor approaches as well as open innovation, ecologic, economic and social sustainability with support of innovative ICT solutions. The RAIN concept helps enterprises and organisations to design their sustainable, innovative and contemporary business models.</p><p> </p><p>Based on theoretical and empirical analyses the RAIN concept is structured according to three different layers:</p><ul><li>The <strong>Core Elements</strong> describe the business model with respect to the topics vision/business idea, people, resources, implementation/development, management/organization, financial aspects, product/service/process, research/innovation, marketing/distribution;</li> <li>In order to enrich the business model the so called <strong>RAIN Principles</strong> (Ecologic, economic and social sustainability, circular economy, open innovation, stakeholder involvement, openness, ICT) should be taken into consideration in each Core Element;</li> <li>Last but not least, external influences on the project or activity – the <strong>Real Life Setting</strong> – has to be reflected and included in the business model (environment and climate, economic and societal context, legal and institutional framework, technical and social infrastructure, food security and safety).</li> </ul><p> </p><p>In LIVERUR 20 projects in 13 pilot regions will be developed based on the RAIN concept. The topics are widespread but all are of high importance in rural regions, e.g. regional food sovereignty, utilization of organic waste, local online-marketing, agriculture-tourism cooperation, sustainable milk-production, energy-production.</p><p> </p><p>The contribution will focus on the development and description of the RAIN concept and its steps of application.</p><p> </p><p>LIVERUR has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 773757</p>

scholarly journals Circular Economy Business Models: a Repertoire of Theoretical Relationships and a Research Agenda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta De Angelis
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Transitions ◽  
Management Research ◽  
Systemic Nature ◽  
Sustainability Challenges ◽  
Theoretical Foundations ◽  
Distinct Field

AbstractThe shift towards a more resource efficient circular economy has become a necessity in the wake of current ecological, economic and social sustainability challenges. Mirroring circular-related developments in policy and business quarters, the circular economy literature is growing as a distinct field of academic enquiry. Yet, the conceptual and theoretical foundations of circular economy thinking need consolidation. Drawing from strategic management, sustainability transitions and systems theories, this article establishes some theoretical anchoring for circular economy business models. It finds that circular business models contribute to an understanding of both competitive advantage and the systemic nature of business. It also develops a future agenda for management research at the interface between the circular economy and business models.

Development trends of circular economy: Case study of Ukraine

2017 ◽  
pp. 51-66
Author(s):  
Tamara Merkulova ◽  
Kateryna Kononova ◽  
Olena Titomir
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Development Trends
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