scholarly journals A Review of Reductionist versus Systems Perspectives towards ‘Doing the Right Strategies Right’ for Circular Economy Implementation

Systems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Raquel Balanay ◽  
Anthony Halog
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Review Reports ◽  
The Right ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Analytical Frameworks ◽  
Reductionist Approach

This systematic review examines the importance of a systems/holistic approach in analyzing and addressing the footprints/impacts of business-as-usual activities regarding the development of a circular economy (CE). Recent works on why current CE approaches have to be examined in terms of reductionist vs. systems perspectives are reviewed to tackle questions pertaining to the right or the wrong way of CE implementation. ‘Doing the right thing right’ is essential for sustainability—the ultimate goal of a CE, which must be viewed as a system to begin with. The limited reductionist approach overlooks and thus cannot prognosticate on the formidable unintended consequences that emerge from ‘doing the right things wrong’, consequences that become too costly to undo. The systems approach, being holistic, is complicated and difficult to pursue but open to exciting opportunities to integrate innovations in CE analysis and implementation. Complexity is an inherent downside of the systems approach. However, both approaches are complementary, as reductionist models can be combined to create a system of comprehensive analysis to correct the approach towards implementation of current CE initiatives. This review reports that advancements in systems analytical frameworks and tools are highly important for creating general guidelines on CE analysis and implementation.

scholarly journals A systems thinking approach to understanding the challenges of achieving the circular economy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Iacovidou ◽  
John N. Hahladakis ◽  
Phil Purnell
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Time Investment ◽  
Material Component ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach ◽  
The Way

AbstractCircular economy (CE) is extensively discussed around the globe. Presently, discussions are mostly concerned with the importance of achieving CE and the benefits associated therewith, with the various barriers surrounding its implementation being less debated. Understanding the context in which circularity can flourish is a prerequisite in building the capabilities to deal with the multi-faceted challenges that currently hamper progress in closing the material, component and product loops. In this study, we discuss the importance of systems thinking in understanding the way resource recovery systems operate, and in promoting deep transformational change. We suggest that transformational change needs to go beyond closing materials, components and products (MCPs) loops, and promote sustainability in the way resources are exploited, used and managed throughout the system. By adopting a system of systems approach, we postulate that there are five interconnected sub-systems that need to be considered for supporting transitions to CE, namely, resource flows and provisioning service; governance, regulatory framework and political landscape; business activities and the marker; infrastructure and innovation; and user practices. This holistic approach provides a useful means to cutting through systemic complexity, and focuses on the dynamics between processes, values and actors in the value chain, and their dependence on cultural, spatial and temporal characteristics. We conclude that a systems-based approach can build up the capabilities required to identify and understand persistent linear trends and, in turn, support forward-thinking and time investment in enabling sustainable transitions. This, in turn, can help to align priorities and transform our current practices, speeding up the process of closing the MCP loops in a sustainable manner.

Design of a Conceptual Model for Improving Company Performance Based on Lean Management Applying the Viable System Model (VSM)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Gallego García ◽  
Rayco Rodríguez Reyes ◽  
Manuel García García
Keyword(s):  
Production Management ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Service Level ◽  
System Model ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Lean Management ◽  
Viable System Model ◽  
Viable System ◽  
The Right

Abstract Designing, changing and adapting organizations to secure viability is challenging for companies. Researchers often fail to holistically design or transform organizations. Thus, the aim of this study is to propose a holistic approach how organizations can be designed, changed or managed considering also its implications to production management following lean management principles. Hereby the Viable System Model was applied. This structure can be applied to any kind of structured organization and for its management with goals to be achieved in modern society; however focus of the research is the cluster of manufacturing and assembly companies. Goal of the developed organizational model is to be able to react to all potential company environments by taking decisions regarding organization and production management functions correctly and in the right moment based on the needed information. To ensure this, standardized communication channels were defined. In conclusion this proposed approach enables companies to have internal mechanisms to secure viability and also in production to reduce necessary stocks, lead times, manpower allocation and leads to an increase of the service level to the final customer.

Biocatalysis and biomass conversion: enabling a circular economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 378 (2176) ◽  
pp. 20190274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger A. Sheldon
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Waste Biomass ◽  
Renewable Biomass ◽  
Precious Metal Catalysts ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Forestry Residues ◽  
The Right

This paper is based on a lecture presented to the Royal Society in London on 24 June 2019. Two of the grand societal and technological challenges of the twenty-first century are the ‘greening' of chemicals manufacture and the ongoing transition to a sustainable, carbon neutral economy based on renewable biomass as the raw material, a so-called bio-based economy. These challenges are motivated by the need to eliminate environmental degradation and mitigate climate change. In a bio-based economy, ideally waste biomass, particularly agricultural and forestry residues and food supply chain waste, are converted to liquid fuels, commodity chemicals and biopolymers using clean, catalytic processes. Biocatalysis has the right credentials to achieve this goal. Enzymes are biocompatible, biodegradable and essentially non-hazardous. Additionally, they are derived from inexpensive renewable resources which are readily available and not subject to the large price fluctuations which undermine the long-term commercial viability of scarce precious metal catalysts. Thanks to spectacular advances in molecular biology the landscape of biocatalysis has dramatically changed in the last two decades. Developments in (meta)genomics in combination with ‘big data’ analysis have revolutionized new enzyme discovery and developments in protein engineering by directed evolution have enabled dramatic improvements in their performance. These developments have their confluence in the bio-based circular economy. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Science to enable the circular economy'.

I. The Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, Minority Rights and Self-Determination

1998 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 943-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Warbrick ◽  
Dominic McGoldrick ◽  
Geoff Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Minority Rights ◽  
The Other ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Peace Agreement ◽  
The Troubles ◽  
The Right

The Northern Ireland Peace Agreement1 was concluded following multi-party negotiations on Good Friday, 10 April 1998. It received 71 per cent approval in Northern Ireland and 95 per cent approval in the Republic of Ireland in the subsequent referenda held on Friday 22 May, the day after Ascension. To some, it must have seemed that the timing was singularly appropriate following 30 years of “The Troubles”, which were perceived as being between a “Catholic minority” and a “Protestant majority”. While there are some minority groups identified by their religious affiliation that do require rights relating only to their religion, such as the right to worship in community,2 to practise and profess their religion,3 to legal recognition as a church,4 to hold property5 and to determine its own membership,6 some minority groups identified by their religious affiliation are properly national or ethnic minorities–religion is merely one factor which distinguishes them from the other groups, including the majority, in the population. One example of the latter situation is to be seen in (Northern) Ireland where there is, in fact, untypically, a double minority: the Catholic-nationalist community is a minority in Northern Ireland, but the Protestant-unionist population is a minority in the island of Ireland as a whole.7 The territory of Northern Ireland is geographically separate from the rest of the United Kingdom. The recent peace agreement addresses a whole range of issues for Northern Ireland, but included are, on the one hand, rights for the populations based on their religious affiliation, their culture and their language and, on the other, rights with respect to their political participation up to the point of external self-determination. It is a holistic approach. Like any good minority rights agreement,8 it deals with both standards and their implementation and, like any good minority rights agreement, it is not a minority rights agreement but, rather, a peace settlement.

Study of the Spatio-Temporal Data Model in Sea Battlefield

2012 ◽  
Vol 246-247 ◽  
pp. 744-748
Author(s):  
Yue Lin Sun ◽  
Lei Bao ◽  
Yi Hang Peng
Keyword(s):  
Data Model ◽  
Object Oriented ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Temporal Data ◽  
Data Types ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
The Right ◽  
Effective Analysis

An effective analysis of the battlefield situation and spatio-temporal data model in a sea battlefield has great significance for the commander to perceive the battlefield situation and to make the right decisions. Based on the existing spatio-temporal data model, the present paper gives a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of sea battlefield data, and chooses the object-oriented spatio-temporal data model to modify it; at the same time this paper introduces sea battlefield space-time algebra system to define various data types formally, which lays the foundation for the establishment of the sea battlefield spatio-temporal data model.

scholarly journals Nasal Sinus Tract of Odontogenic Origin: Report of a Case

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Sagar Sareen ◽  
Anjani Kumar Pathak ◽  
Parth Purwar ◽  
Jaya Dixit ◽  
Divya Singhal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Health Care Research ◽  
Sinus Tract ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Diagnostic Challenge ◽  
Nasal Sinus ◽  
Comprehensive Management ◽  
Odontogenic Origin ◽  
The Right

Extraoral sinus tract often poses a diagnostic challenge to the clinician owing to its rare occurrence and absence of symptoms. The accurate diagnosis and comprehensive management are inevitable as the aetiology of such lesions is often masked and requires holistic approach. The present case report encompasses the management of an extraoral discharging sinus tract at the base of the right nostril in a chronic smoker. The lesion which was earlier diagnosed to be of nonodontogenic origin persisted even after erratic treatment modalities. Our investigations showed the aetiology of sinus tract to be odontogenic. Initially, a five-step program as recommended by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality was used for smoking cessation followed by root canal therapy (RCT) and surgical management of the sinus tract. The patient has been under stringent follow-up and no reoccurrence has been noted.

The Right to Repair Goods in the Era of Digitalization and Globalization

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
P. L. Likhter
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
Service Organizations ◽  
Warranty Period ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
The Right ◽  
High Degree

Today, large companies are increasingly using controversial strategies related to the violation of the buyer’s rights to repair the goods both during and after the expiration of the warranty period. This is primarily manifested in the restriction of access to the necessary information on the product repairing, hindering the work of independent service organizations, intentional complication of parts during their design, unreasonably high degree of integration of units, lack of a sufficient number of spare parts on the market, etc. As a rule, such actions distort the principles of integrity and transparency, which, in turn, entails risks to consumer and environmental safety. This issue is of particular relevance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, when sellers of medical equipment restrict the possibility of its restoration by independent specialists, and also prevent the distribution of the necessary software. Based on the results of the work, it is concluded that it is advisable to establish boundaries for the conduct of market participants to stimulate the production of durable and maintainable goods in order to transit to a circular economy.

Circular economy and its disclosure in the basic concepts of improving production processes in construction

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3D) ◽  
pp. 629-635
Author(s):  
Maria Aleksandrovna Kalmykova ◽  
Elena Mikhailovna Kiseleva ◽  
Vadim Anatolevich Mironchuk ◽  
Ilya Valerievich Sorgutov ◽  
Sergey Barinov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Sustainable Society ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Global Problems ◽  
Basic Concepts

The article discusses the features of the circular economy and its disclosure in the basic concepts of improving production processes in construction. The concept of a circular economy (CE) has recently become widespread as a perspective for solving global problems such as resource scarcity and waste management. The CE concept in the construction sector is rapidly gaining momentum and is used by many participants to coordinate their plans to build a more sustainable society. However, what exactly CE entails, remains unclear, and the actors involved in the transition to the CE set different priorities depending on their capabilities and goals. The transition to CE requires a more holistic approach and concerted efforts of all parties in the construction business.

scholarly journals Evaluating science communication

2018 ◽  
Vol 116 (16) ◽  
pp. 7670-7675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baruch Fischhoff
Keyword(s):  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Effective Science ◽  
The Right

Effective science communication requires assembling scientists with knowledge relevant to decision makers, translating that knowledge into useful terms, establishing trusted two-way communication channels, evaluating the process, and refining it as needed. Communicating Science Effectively: A Research Agenda [National Research Council (2017)] surveys the scientific foundations for accomplishing these tasks, the research agenda for improving them, and the essential collaborative relations with decision makers and communication professionals. Recognizing the complexity of the science, the decisions, and the communication processes, the report calls for a systems approach. This perspective offers an approach to creating such systems by adapting scientific methods to the practical constraints of science communication. It considers staffing (are the right people involved?), internal collaboration (are they talking to one another?), and external collaboration (are they talking to other stakeholders?). It focuses on contexts where the goal of science communication is helping people to make autonomous choices rather than promoting specific behaviors (e.g., voter turnout, vaccination rates, energy consumption). The approach is illustrated with research in two domains: decisions about preventing sexual assault and responding to pandemic disease.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document