scholarly journals Barriers and opportunities for the transition to a circular economy. A case study of Chilean cooperatives

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-81
Author(s):  
Jorge Cea-Valencia ◽  
Adriana Villegas-Huencho ◽  
Rodrigo Sion-Sierra
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Resource Limitation ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Social Discourse ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Waste Production ◽  
Barriers And Opportunities ◽  
Definition Of

The linear use–consumption–waste production model does not make allowances for resource limitation or loss, or the associated pollution. The concept of the circular economy (CE) emerged as an alternative to this model. In recent times, the CE has awoken considerable interest and discussion among academics, enterprises, and governments given its connection with sustainable development and its potential impact on the economic, social, and environmental levels. At present there is no precise and established definition of the CE as a concept, and though this new paradigm could proffer a host of benefits for the organizations who integrate it into their business model, it might also bring about difficulties or challenges. The main aim of this study is to identify barriers and opportunities for the transition to the CE based on a case study of cooperatives in Chile. The study employs the qualitative methodology of social discourse analysis, complemented by a literature review and interviews with CE experts. Five categories were constructed to guide the interviews and subsequent analysis: (i) knowledge, (ii) technological, (iii) structural, (iv) operational, and (v) financial. A total of ten interviews were conducted across the three specific cases selected. The data analysis was conducted using Atlas TI8 software. The results obtained for each case study point to gaps and opportunities in the five categories, and, more generally, in the legal and cultural spheres.

scholarly journals Revisiting Keynes in the Light of the Transition to Circular Economy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrizia Ghisellini ◽  
Renato Passaro ◽  
Sergio Ulgiati
Keyword(s):  
New Deal ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Fiscal Policies ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
John Maynard Keynes ◽  
Societal Actors ◽  
Civil Economy

AbstractThe study briefly recalls the evolution and crisis of the theory and thought of John Maynard Keynes with the rise and progressive dominance of the neoliberalism paradigm. The exercise has been made for evaluating the effects of such process for the sustainability of the global economy and society. In this view, we explored how Keynes’ contribution could be useful for the global economy in building a new paradigm of socio-economic development underpinning the transition to circular economy (CE). We also evaluated the adoption of the Global Green New Deal including a case study of Italy for the purpose of suggesting how that topical political programme can be key in the CE transition. Given the urgency of environmental problems, we underline the importance of the adoption of Keynesian expansionary “green mission oriented” fiscal policies with the purpose of allowing the triggering of a virtuous circle of sustainable welfare involving the Green New deal and the transition to CE. At the basis of such virtuous circle, we propose a new paradigm based on a revisited Keynesian paradigm and models of economy within the framework of Genovesi’s “civil economy” that entails an active role and responsibility of all the societal actors (consumers, companies and institutions). In this view, the “spirit” of Keynes in the economy, policy and society could be appreciated once more and be extremely useful along with other scholars’ contributions in accelerating the CE transition and a more sustainable development.

scholarly journals The Responsibility of Waste Production: comparison of European Waste Statistics Regulation and Dutch National Waste Registry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rusne Sileryte ◽  
Alexander Wandl ◽  
Arjan van Timmeren
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Computational Method ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Extensive Discussion ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Waste Production ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Relationship

The announcement of a new Circular Economy Action Plan as part of the European Green Deal policy has created an urgent need for the reliable information on resource flows to monitor and support the transition. An updated Monitoring Framework is set to rely as much as possible on European Statistics, however at this point there are no changes introduced in supranational statistics regulations. This raises a question whether regulations that have been created before the paradigm shift are still able to supply us with statistics necessary to inform policy makers about current successful practices, remaining barriers, positive and negative impacts of the transition and overall progress towards the set goals. This paper focuses on the Waste Statistics Regulation, specifically the relationship between the types of waste and economic activities which are considered to be the waste producers. Dutch National Waste Registry is used as a case study to compare the guidelines on pan-European waste data collection to the actual waste reports. The task of this publication is dual: first, it presents a computational method to link waste producers to their economic activities using a national Trade Registry. Secondly, it explores to which extent the guidelines available in the Waste Statistics Regulation correspond to the operational reality. An extensive discussion of the results provides insights and recommendations for the future guidelines of waste statistics to support circular economy transition.

scholarly journals Interconnections: An Analysis of Disassemblable Building Connection Systems towards a Circular Economy

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 535
Author(s):  
Timothy M. O’Grady ◽  
Roberto Minunno ◽  
Heap-Yih Chong ◽  
Greg M. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Building Industry ◽  
Waste Production ◽  
Living Lab ◽  
Design Challenge ◽  
Modular Buildings

This study investigates the interconnection methods used to create a circular economy building featuring modularity and designed for disassembly and relocation. Designing modular buildings for disassembly and reuse can decrease waste production and material depletion, in line with the circular economy framework. Disassemblable buildings require connections to be easily accessible. Visible connections may be unpopular features; however, concealing these, yet leaving these accessible, presents a substantial design challenge. This study demonstrates solutions to this challenge by analyzing a purposely designed case study: the Legacy Living Lab. The challenges of disguising and sealing, such as by waterproofing, two types of connections are analysed: structural and non-structural. This study details the materials and connections used across the two analyzed connection types and compares the weights and reusability of components. Thus, a necessary case study is provided for practitioners to advance circular economy theory in the building industry. Notably, all connections in the Legacy Living Lab can be easily accessed with standard building tools, facilitating its disassembly and fostering component reusability.

scholarly journals Towards a Tailored Engineering Design Process for Individualized Micro-Mechatronic Systems with a Novel Case-Based Methodology

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 7909
Author(s):  
Faruk Civelek ◽  
Karl-Peter Fritz ◽  
André Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Use Cases ◽  
Mechatronic Systems ◽  
Engineering Design Process ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Case Based

The development and manufacturing of high-precision micro-mechatronic systems (MMS) is a challenging task, and the high demand for individualized products complicates the engineering design process (EDP) in particular. The established EDP for MMS is not designed for individualized products. This article gives an overview of the challenges (critical factors) in product development and manufacturing of individualized MMS (iMMS), a novel definition of iMMS, and describes a new qualitative methodology in order to tailor an EDP based on use cases, so-called “Tailored EDP-Methodology” (TEDP-Methodology). This TEDP-Methodology allows creating use-case-based product groups through the abstraction of the use cases and evaluating the requirements, which is essential to tailor or develop a new EDP. For the development of this new approach, a literature review and qualitative content analysis are prefaced. The TEDP-Methodology is critically examined and validated with a real case study for the development and manufacturing of an iMMS. This study shows critical points within the EDP. It shows fields of action for innovative tools to support the development process of iMMS and requirements for different product groups within iMMS. This article has both theoretical and practical implications.

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

Transitioning Business for a Circular Economy

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan EVANS
Keyword(s):  
Professional Practice ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Radical Change ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Professional Experience ◽  
Operational Model ◽  
New Vision ◽  
To Come ◽  
Space Requirements

This case study explores the strategic business opportunities, for Lane Crawford, an iconic luxury department store, to transition in a circular economy towards sustainability. A new experimentation framework was developed and conducted among cross departmental employees, during a Design Lab, with intention to co-create novel Circular Economy business concepts towards a new vision: the later was a reframe of the old system based on the principles of sustainability; to move beyond a linear operational model towards a circular economy that can contribute to a regenerative society. This work draws on both academic and professional experience and was conducted through professional practice. It was found that innovative co-created concepts, output from the Design Lab, can create radical change in a circular economy that is holistically beneficial and financially viable; looking forward to extract greater value a)Internal organization requires remodeling to transform towards a circular economy; b)Requirement for more horizonal teams across departments vs solely vertical; c)New language and relationships are required to be able to transition towards a circular economy; d)Some form of physical and virtual space requirements, for cross-disciplinary teams to come together to co-create; e)Ability to iterate, learn and evolve requires agency across the business

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Microfinance - A Case of Rural Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Saida Parvin
Keyword(s):  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Donor Agencies ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.

The Rapid Iterative Test and Evaluation Method (RITE)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Medlock
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Test And Evaluation ◽  
Original Case ◽  
Definition Of

This chapter begins with a discussion of the philosophy and then definition of the RITE method. It then delves into the benefits of this method and provides practical notes on running RITE tests effectively. The chapter concludes with an overview of the original case study behind the 2002 article documenting this method.

Poe and His Global Advocates

2018 ◽  
pp. 596-617
Author(s):  
Emron Esplin
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
South America ◽  
Rio De La Plata ◽  
Río De La Plata ◽  
Literary Traditions ◽  
La Plata ◽  
Original Works ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Global Reputation

This essay explores Edgar Allan Poe’s extraordinary relationships with various literary traditions across the globe, posits that Poe is the most influential US writer on the global literary scene, and argues that Poe’s current global reputation relies at least as much on the radiance of the work of Poe’s literary advocates—many of whom are literary stars in their own right—as it does on the brilliance of Poe’s original works. The article briefly examines Poe’s most famous French advocates (Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Valéry); glosses the work of his advocates throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas; and offers a concise case study of Poe’s influence on and advocacy from three twentieth-century writers from the Río de la Plata region of South America (Quiroga, Borges, and Cortázar). The essay concludes by reading the relationships between Poe and his advocates through the ancient definition of astral or stellar influence.

scholarly journals Sustainability and Stakeholder Awareness: A Case Study of a Scottish University

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4186
Author(s):  
Abdulhakeem Raji ◽  
Abeer Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Theory ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Voluntary Exercise ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The University

This paper adopted a case study approach to investigate the sustainability practices of a Scottish university in order to understand if sustainability forms part of its central policy agenda. As such, the paper focuses on the levels of awareness and disclosure of their sustainable practices, measuring the impacts and effectiveness of those initiatives. This paper introduces signaling theory to explore the idea that appropriate communication via integrated thinking can close the gap between the organization and its stakeholders. We believe that the provision of this relevant information will lead to better communication between the organization and its stakeholders, supporting a signaling theory interpretation. Therefore, we are suggesting that integrated thinking is an internal process that organizations can follow to increase the level of disclosure as a communication tool with stakeholders. From the literature reviewed, four themes were identified (definition of university sustainability, sustainability awareness, disclosure framework within universities, and level of accountability). The research adopted a pragmatic view and conducted individual interviews with participants belonging to three stakeholder groups (members of the university’s senior management, the governing council, and the student union executive). Although this study focused on just one Scottish university, it should still provide some insight for the better understanding of the underpinning issues surrounding the sustainability accountability practices of Scottish universities in general. The research findings indicated that the university prioritized only two sustainability dimensions—economic and environmental—and that the university still perceived sustainability as a voluntary exercise. Additionally, it is evident that the university had no framework in place for measuring its sustainability delivery—and therefore had no established medium of communicating these activities to its stakeholders. Moreover, research findings showed that the social and educational context of sustainability was lacking at the university. The university has done little or nothing to educate its stakeholders on sustainability.

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