Abstract
This special issue provides a collection of 15 papers with modern theories and applications for circular economy, engineering projects, entrepreneurship models, and investor decisions. After the commencing review on Occupational Health and Safety Management-Systems Standards, follow papers which can be classified into four categories which cover the overall scope of special issue. The first category includes papers regarding the micro-level of circular economy. This means case studies in firm-level which implement different techniques to achieve sustainable development and circular economy goals. The findings reveal interesting achievements which are associated with cultural characteristics of the countries these case studies have been conducted. The second category of papers refers to the meso-level of circular economy where firms cooperate with each other by exchanging byproducts and organizing common operational procedures and routines to address environmental problems. The findings suggest assessment information technology tools to support industrial symbiosis among European firms. The next body of literature encompasses macro-level where circular economy techniques are implemented at a country level. Findings suggest methodologies for implementing and tracking circular economy in cities. Finally, a number of papers are included that focus on advanced engineering techniques. These techniques are useful tools for achieving circular economy and sustainability.
Highlights
Optimisation of industrial sites through efficiency gains, carbon and energy savings and the use of renewable energy sources is a starting point to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation
Of the 20 information technology (IT) tools under study, 8 of these are available on the market
This paper provided findings of the assessment and quantification of industrial symbiosis (IS)-enabling IT tools by focusing on the lifecycle stages of an IS project
Summary
Optimisation of industrial sites through efficiency gains, carbon and energy savings and the use of renewable energy sources is a starting point to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. The system boundaries can be widened to include other industries, process sectors and neighbouring municipalities to collectively strive for resource and energy efficiency and, aim for a circular economy. This cooperative management of resource flows between businesses and engagement of traditionally separate entities in a collective approach to competitive advantage is termed as industrial symbiosis (IS) [1,2]. It involves physical exchanges of materials, energy, water and by-products, as well as sharing social tactics at the firm and multiorganisational level [3]. IS is a crosscutting field that has relevance for policies relating to resource efficiency, the low carbon and circular economy, eco-innovation, green growth, regional economic development [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
