Circular Economy Implementation Status of Selected ASEAN Countries

Abstract

Developed countries have adopted the circular economy concept to solve environmental problems. This study underpins the paradox theory to investigate the circular economy’s implementation status in the ASEAN region through the circular economy index. The circular economy index disclosure data for top companies in the ASEAN region was collected through an automated content analysis approach using DICTION on the annual/sustainability reports. The findings show that most public companies from the ASEAN region disclose the circular economy indicators in their annual/sustainability reports. The environment-sensitive firms are disclosing the circular economy indicators actively compared to the non-environment sensitive companies. Based on the results, this study provides theoretical and practical implications. This study is also limited because it is based only on the ASEAN region. Future studies can underpin other theoretical support and provide a comparative analysis across the continents.