Growth Of Bioeconomy Research Articles

New strategies for sustainable growth in European Economies

ABSTRACT This editorial presents several recent contributions to the debate on strategies for sustainable growth, in relation to the experience of different European countries. It introduces this special issue, composed of a selection of articles presented during three workshops organized or supported by the International Network for Economic Research (INFER). The articles included in the special issue discuss the impact of technological innovation on firms’ productivity and employment, as well as the role agriculture plays in bioeconomy growth. They also highlight the importance of financial markets in the promotion of sustainable activities.

Agriculture’s Contribution to the Growth of Romanian Bioeconomy: A Regional Approach

ABSTRACT Research has highlighted agriculture’s contribution to the Romanian bioeconomy growth at the level of each territorial administrative region (NUTS 2). This paper analyzes the relevant socio-economic indicators of the bioeconomy in Romania’s regions. We use Eurostat and the National Institute of Statistics from Romania (NIS) database for selected indicators. Cluster analysis using the SPSS software was chosen as a research method. Results revealed disparities between development regions. The article concludes that regional policies and investments from government and private firms have an essential role in developing agriculture and the bioeconomy.

Circular Regulations (CR) for Bioeconomy Development

The term Circular Regulations (CR) is introduced to describe a broad regulatory framework, designed with a circular understanding of the economy. Central in this discussion is the transition towards bioeconomy, a term that is not always used consistently, and sometimes treated in the same way as circular economy (CE), although these terms are not necessarily equivalent. In this article we endorse a systemic interpretation of CE, where a continuum of approaches, extending from reusing/recycling/upcycling to refuse/rethink/reduce, gradually replace existing linear “end-of-life” concepts. CE is a key prerequisite for the bioeconomy shift, a transition that further builds on CE, where circular design and processes are further augmented with increased resource utilization and intensive applications of innovative science and technology. The prevailing regulatory arrangements in CE, however, remain either fragmented or largely based on pre-existing policies, drafted to address issues of the linear economy, thus presenting several limitations when dealing with the underlying paradigm shift: complex market relationships that go beyond the standard neoclassical model. CR adopts an encompassing approach to regulatory design; it is not meant to be a rigid set of rules, but rather a regulatory framework where institutions, market rules, and business practice explicitly account for environmental and socially responsible activities, while securing an enabling environment for innovation. CR directly reflects on CE, where bioeconomy growth is informed by science, enabled by technology, driven by business, and supported by relevant policies and institutional frameworks. The article presents a conceptual setting towards CR and a practical example for its development.

From opportunities to action - An integrated model of small actors’ engagement in bioenergy business

Abstract The promotion of entrepreneurial activities and establishment of SMEs to strengthen national competitiveness has accelerated the examination of the business opportunities offered by cleaner technologies, such as bioenergy solutions. Finland is one of the countries which seek new ways for economic growth by boosting e.g. the growth of bioeconomy, and the rural areas in the country are considered as fertile ground for the growth of grassroot-level innovations related to bioenergy. However, the growth does not happen without suitable incentives for bioenergy business development. Thus, it is reasonable to examine the factors which have an influence on the decisions the actors in these rural regions make. In the paper, an integrated model is constructed to widen the knowledge of the process from the discovery of an entrepreneurial opportunity to actual business engagement. This is done by introducing the entrepreneurial process and utilizing the process in conjunction with two widely used theories: the Technology Acceptance Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior. The model offers an opportunity to observe the impact of different enablers and barriers on new business engagement, as they can be related to certain phases of the entrepreneurial process and certain environmental levels surrounding the individual actors. In the empirical study, an integrated model is reasoned in the context of small actors’ engagement in bioenergy by examining the business opportunities offered by biogas production from animal manure. The constructed model is meant to assist in the promotion of entrepreneurial intentions, and that way also to advance the fulfillment of national targets for bio-based economy and SME development.

Bioeconomy Growth in Latvia. System-dynamics Model for High-value Added Products in Fisheries

The rising environmental issues require higher bioeconomy impact on all sectors. In Latvia as well bioeconomy is starting to play a role in economic growth. The main challenge is to invent a new technology, which can provide sustainability and be economically justified. The target was to investigate how much profit you gain from high-value added products. In this study a system dynamics model was created for 5 high value added products: sunscreen, protein cocktail, skin regeneration cream, glue and facial cream. The main raw material for all products was retrieved from carp waste. The model created allows you to analyze the chosen production technology and its economic benefits. Profit of production depends on the price of the product, demand, production cost and capacity. The results show that the highest economical potential is in the cosmetics industry.