Practical Force Research Articles

Circular Economy-Related Strategies to Minimise Construction- and Demolition- Waste Generation in Australian Construction Projects

The construction industry in Australia generates a significant amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, necessitating better waste management (WM) practices. This research addresses this issue by investigating CE strategies aimed at minimising C&D waste in Australian construction projects (CPs). Utilising a qualitative approach, the study is based on 20 interviews and four case studies of commercial CPs, analysed through NVivo content analysis. The findings emphasise the need to integrate CE strategies at every CP stage. In the pre-design phase, setting sustainable objectives and engaging stakeholders early is crucial for aligning goals to reduce C&D waste. The tendering process benefits from incorporating WM into contracts, demonstrating early commitment to sustainability. The design phase, through Building Information Modelling and designing for disassembly, offers substantial waste-reduction opportunities. Modular and prefabricated components during the construction phase enhance material reuse and recycling. Operational strategies like regular maintenance and retrofitting extend material lifespan, while selective demolition and digital cataloguing at the end-of-life phase enable efficient material recovery. This highlights the essential roles of policy, technology, and stakeholder collaboration in advancing CE practices, providing practical insights for construction professionals and policymakers to implement CE-related strategies in CPs. The research concludes that adopting CE strategies can lead to significant reductions in C&D waste and improved sustainability in the construction sector.

A forest companies typology regarding their contribution to circular economy: a sustainability reporting-based analysis

Relatively recently, the residuals of forest industry have been considered very important and useful to be reused through bioeconomy and circular economy practices in order to reduce the use of non-renewable natural resources. The majority of current studies have been based on interview protocols and questionnaire-based surveys to examine how managers of forest industry contribute to sustainable development and circular economy. Despite the usefulness of these surveys, there is a degree of subjectivity in the respondents' responses and an orientation to what forest companies propose to do in the circular economy. To overcome the weaknesses of previous research, this paper aims at drawing appropriate information from sustainability reporting of a sample of forest companies to provide a more unambiguous understanding of the way that forest companies meet the circular economy principles. Thus, a circular economy measurement framework is developed which is based on scoring systems and GRI guidelines to draw reliable and harmonized information from corporate sustainability reporting. Furthermore, it results in a four-type company typology according to the number of the circular economy principles and the number of items they achieve for each principle such as pioneer circular company, lagging circular company, innovative circular company and infant circular company. The suggested framework is tested on a sample of 20 forest companies with higher revenue in 2022. The findings show that half of the sampled companies can be considered as infants at the CE practices, while a positive statistical relationship is revealed between forest companies’ circular economy practices and their revenues.

Evaluation of factors affecting pharmacists and pharmacy technicians' satisfaction towards practicing CE activities in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundContinuing education (CE) is an essential requirement for pharmacy professionals to stay abreast with the evolving knowledge and skills of the practice and meet the regulatory mandate. The purpose of this research is to assess factors affecting the satisfaction of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians towards CE practices in Saudi Arabia. Material and methodsA self-administered survey instrument was developed following an extensive literature search. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: participants’ demographics, data on CE activities over the past year and overall satisfaction, and statements of barriers (14 items) and facilitators (12 items) for participation in CE activities (scored on a 5-point Likert scale (5 = always, 1 = never)). The survey was piloted and then distributed as a link through the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) between Jan 2018 and Feb 2019. ResultsData was available on 398 pharmacists and 40 pharmacy technicians (completion rate was 55 %). The majority were practitioners, male, working in a hospital setting and had more than five years of practice experience. Half of the participants were from the Central Region and about one-third were non-Saudi. Only a quarter of the participants were satisfied/very satisfied with the current CE practices in Saudi Arabia. Job constraints (62.7 %), cost (55.9 %), schedule of CE activities (55.4 %), lack of information on CE opportunities (53 %) and professional burnout (49.7 %) were the top barriers. There was a significant level of dissatisfaction among pharmacy technicians when compared to pharmacists (p = 0.003), as well as among Saudi pharmacists when compared to non-Saudi pharmacists (p = 0.002). Lack of relevant CE activities (p = 0.05), lack of quality activities (p = 0.002), lack of recognition (p = 0.013) and lack of internet access (p = 0.006) were significantly more barriers for pharmacy technicians compared to pharmacists. The most identified facilitators to engage in CE activities were a personal desire to learn (78.4 %), the requirement to maintain a professional license (73.8 %) and relaxation provided by learning (58.5 %) and networking opportunities (53.4 %). The majority of the participants preferred conferences or interactive workshops, short CE over half a day or less, and the topic of disease management/drug therapy. ConclusionThe findings of the study highlight the need for a partnership strategy that includes various stakeholders to improve CE program quality and accessibility that supports and promotes the professional development of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Saudi Arabia. It also underscores the importance of meeting the preferences of pharmacy practitioners when designing CE programs and aligning such activities with their practices.

The role of awareness of circular economy’s concept in purchase of sustainable goods and access-based and collaborative consumption – Porto case

PurposeCircular economy (CE) is receiving increasing worldwide attention as a manner to overcome the challenges linked to current trends of unsustainable energy and resource consumption. This paper aims to fill this gap and analyze the adherence to sustainable, access-based and collaborative consumption practices by exploring the role of CE awareness, specifically in the context of Porto, the second-largest city of Portugal.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology of choice is quantitative, based on partial least square-based structural equation modeling.FindingsThe result shows that there is an influence of CE awareness on subsequent sustainable consumption models.Research limitations/implicationsPresent research contributes to the theory on CE awareness and sustainable consumption. It proposes a model that could be applied in other countries. As this research is developed within the city of Porto, it may limit generalizations of obtained results.Practical implicationsAs CE practices are embodied into national and local policies, this research contributes to understanding local contexts of CE practices dissemination, providing practical suggestions for businesses and policymakers aiming the transition to the CE.Originality/valueAn original approach to measuring the awareness of CE economy is proposed, that is analyzed not only from the familiarity perspective but in six dimensions of its construction: familiarity, importance, perception or interpretation, advantages, social impact and barriers in this process. Further, the conceptual model of the impact that these dimensions have on the adoption of sustainable consumption models (purchase of sustainable products, access-based and collaborative consumption) is proposed.

The role of interorganizational collaboration and digital technologies in the implementation of circular economy practices—Empirical evidence from manufacturing firms

AbstractInterorganizational collaboration and the use of new digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, internet of things (IoT), or blockchain technology, are regarded as key enablers in implementing sustainability and circular economy‐oriented practices. While this is reflected in a few conceptual and case studies, statistical analyses on the topic are rare. No study so far has focused on collaboration, and digital technologies have only been studied in isolation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of interorganizational collaboration practices on a firm's circular economy practices and on outcomes (sustainability performance and economic performance), as well as the potentially facilitative role of new digital technologies on both. The research is based on a deductive approach, using a random sample of 112 Austrian manufacturing companies. The study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM), features a multiple‐respondent design, and uses the dynamic capabilities view as a theoretical foundation. The study finds that interorganizational collaboration practices have a strong positive effect on the implementation of sustainability and CE practices, while the use of new digital technologies and general dynamic capabilities do not. The use of digital technologies positively affects only interorganizational collaboration, while general dynamic capabilities serve as an antecedent for both the use of digital technologies and interorganizational collaboration. Regarding the outcomes of CE implementation, the study finds a positive impact on firm‐level sustainability and economic performance. From a theoretical point of view, the study provides a new perspective on the prerequisites for successful CE implementation, highlights the importance of collaboration, and contextualizes the role of new digital technologies and dynamic capabilities. From a practical point of view, based on the positive outcomes found, the study supports arguments in favor of company engagement in CE activity. It also serves to motivate purposive digitization and systems thinking in order to create efficient CE collaboration networks.

Barriers toward circular economy transition: Exploring different stakeholders' perspectives

AbstractCircular economy (CE) attempts to improve the environmental and economic performance of existing production systems and particularly waste management through the introduction of principles of reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, redesign, and remanufacture. There are still many challenges regarding its implementation. This article investigates the barriers to adopting CE practices in the Brazilian waste management system. In the empirical research first stage, a workshop was conducted with researchers and managers. In the second stage, 1 year later, interviews were conducted in 22 organizations across different categories of the waste system. The outcomes indicate that barriers are more related to the implementation of CE practices, and the lack of legislation enforcement and coordination of distinct levels of government. New dimensions for explaining barriers to CE in developing countries also emerged from field research as the low market value of some residues and the informality in the system.

Motivations and drivers for adopting sustainability and circular business strategies in businesses in Victoria

AbstractWith the need to transition to a Circular Economy being highlighted at government and industry level, business research has focused on how firms incorporate circular business practices. However, there is a lack of research on what motivates and drives businesses to implement environmental and CE practices, specially from an Australian context. This research aims to understand what factors drive and motivate businesses to implement sustainability practices, using a survey distributed among businesses operating in Victoria, Australia. The results show that the major motivation for businesses to implement actions was the belief of doing the right thing. Although financial returns were not considered a major driver, the results reveal that firms may not implement environmental activities if it is not financially viable. The responses also illustrate that understanding of CE‐related terminology within businesses were low, and that this could be a result of common terms used within the Australian context. Improving the ethical and moral conscience of business decision makers and incorporating wider CE actions into the general concept of doing the right thing could increase businesses implementing CE practices more broadly.

Adopting GRI Standards for the Circular Economy strategies disclosure: the case of Italy

PurposeCircular economy (CE) disclosure is becoming urgent for firms, but an accepted and recognized approach to address it is still missing, especially at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) level. This study aims to contribute to this issue by exploring the potential of the adoption of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards as a standardized approach for CE disclosure. The paper proposes a framework that identifies the existence of specific relationships between the topics included in GRI 300 Standards and CE strategies, which can be considered as managerial guidelines for CE strategy disclosure by companies.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses an explorative research methodology based on the content analysis of secondary data taken from the sustainability reports of the SMEs listed in STAR segment of Borsa Italiana.FindingsThe analysis shows that GRI Standards are currently adopted to disclose the CE strategies by Italian SMEs across different economic sectors including construction, food, automotive, retail, personal and household goods, industrial goods and services, electronics, media and technology. In particular, GRI 301 is used for the disclosure about Recycling, Reuse, Reverse logistics, Industrial Symbiosis, Eco-Design, Product as a Service and Refurbishing/Reconditioning/Remanufacturing. GRI 302 is suited to disclose CE strategies about Eco-Design, Renewable Energy and Industrial Symbiosis. GRI 303 can be useful to disclose about Reuse and Industrial Symbiosis. GRI 305 is appropriate for Eco-Design, Renewable Energy, Product as a Service, Industrial Symbiosis and Recycling. Finally, GRI 306 is useful to communicate the CE strategies of Recycling, Reuse, Reverse Logistics, Eco-Design, Industrial Symbiosis, Maintenance/Repair, Refurbishing/Reconditioning/Remanufacturing.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications concerning how to report the implementation of a wide range of CE practices, mainly using GRI 301, 302, 303, 305 and 306. These implications are mainly addressed to SMEs in different economic sectors.Social implicationsThe use of the proposed framework, by improving the transparency and communication of the CE strategies used by companies, may contribute to accelerate the consumer awareness on CE practices fostering the CE transition, especially of SMEs, with a positive effect on society and environment.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature on CE by developing one among the few standardized approaches using the GRI Standards for the disclosure of CE strategies, a topic mainly investigated in the literature with reference to large companies in a few industries. The framework is also useful to explore the implementation of CE strategies across SMEs in different industrial sectors.

Circular economy 4 business: A program and framework for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with three case studies

To address a gap in empirical evidence, this article provides case studies of three SMEs implementing circular business models through a training program. It highlights lessons for both policy makers and training providers to support uptake of CE practices in SMEs. Governments and companies increasingly recognise the importance of a circular economy to address environmental problems, maximise the value of materials used in production-consumption cycles, and eliminate waste. This article draws attention to the role that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) play in developing niche innovations to advance the circular transition, and provides insights on how SMEs can be enabled through supportive government programs and policies. We first describe the design and outcomes of a government-funded training and pilot program, ‘Circular Economy 4 Business’ that was trialled in Queensland, Australia in 2020–21. Using data obtained during the program, we provide three case studies of circular business models employed by three participating SMEs to improve circularity for important resource types (organics, textiles, packaging, and construction materials) as well as the main successes and opportunities, challenges, and barriers each business encountered. Drawing upon the multi-level perspective of sustainable socio-technical transitions theory, we examine the interdependency of cultural, market, and policy factors to highlight how governments can provide conditions that foster enable niche innovations to scale and displace established linear regimes. The significance of this study builds on the limited empirical evidence of circular business model implementation at the level of SMEs and details a novel and practical training and support program that can guide future design of circular economy programs tailored specifically for SMEs.

The Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Process from a Circular Economy Perspective—A Review and Future Directions

Ever since the introduction of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in the 1970s, their demand has increased exponentially with their applications in electric vehicles, smartphones, and energy storage systems. To cope with the increase in demand and the ensuing environmental effects of excessive mining activities and waste production, it becomes crucial to explore ways of manufacturing LIBs from the resources that have already been extracted from nature. It is possible by promoting the re-usage, refurbishing, and recycling of the batteries and their constituent components, rethinking the fundamental design of devices using these batteries, and introducing the circular economy model in the battery industry. This paper through a literature review provides the current state of CE adoption in the lithium-ion battery industry. The review suggests that the focus is mostly on recycling at this moment in the battery industry, and a further understanding of the process is needed to better adapt to other CE practices such as reuse, remanufacture, refurbishment, etc. The paper also provides the steps involved in the recycling process and, through secondary case studies, shows how some of the industries are currently approaching battery recycling. Thus, this paper, through review and secondary cases, helps us to understand the current state of LIB recycling and CE adoption.

Artificial intelligence-driven supply chain resilience in Vietnamese manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises

Despite the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) research in operations, supply chain, and productions management literature, empirical insights on how organisational behavioural mechanisms at the human–technology interface will facilitate AI adoption in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and subsequent impact of the adoption on sustainable practices and supply chain resilience (SCR) is under-researched. To bridge these gaps, we integrate resource orchestration and knowledge-based view theoretical perspectives to develop a novel structural model examining antecedents to SCR and AI adoption, considering AI adoption as a pivot for facilitating SCR. The structural equation modelling technique was employed on the data collected from 280 Vietnamese manufacturing SMEs’ operations managers. Our results demonstrate that leadership will drive AI adoption by creating a data-driven, digital and conducive culture, and strengthening employee skills and competencies. Furthermore, AI adoption positively influences CE practices, SC agility and risk management, which will help to achieve SCR. For managers, the importance of internal organisational employee-centric mechanisms to create value from AI adoption without impeding business value is highlighted. We reveal the enablers that will help in transforming SMEs to become resilient by deriving appropriate responses to unprecedented disruptions through data-driven decision-making leveraging AI adoption.

Sustaining circular economy practices in supply chains during a global disruption

PurposeCircular economy (CE) practices are critical to achieving sustainable development goals. However, the recent global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted sustainable practices. The literature shows a significant research gap in analyzing factors that sustain CE practices in supply chains during a global disruption. This study fills the research gap by developing a mix-method approach to analyze factors for sustaining CE practices during a global disruption.Design/methodology/approachTo fulfill the objectives of this study, the list of factors that sustain CE practices was first identified by conducting a literature review and finalized through an expert opinion survey. The survey finalized 18 different factors for sustaining CE practices. The finalized factors were further analyzed using the grey decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The quantitative analysis confirmed the priority of the factors and their cause-and-effect relationships.FindingsThe results revealed that continued stakeholder pressure, retention of CE and sustainability culture, continued implementation of cleaner technology, feedback system and ongoing CE training for resilience issues are the top five factors that sustain CE practices during a global disruption. The study also revealed ten factors as belonging to the cause group and eight to the effect group.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by exploring factors for sustaining CE practices during a global disruption. Moreover, the study’s findings are important in real-life situations, as decision-makers can use the findings to formulate strategies for sustaining CE practices during future global disruptions.

Quality 4.0 and Cognitive Engineering Applied to Quality Management Systems: A Framework

In order to create high-quality products, quality engineering must be integrated across the entire product development process. To accomplish the ultimate goal, innovative approaches are required, and a Quality Management System-QMS is imperative to standardize all processes. All business areas depend on people and processes, but quality is especially dependent on them. A QMS can benefit from the application of Quality 4.0—Q4.0 and Cognitive Engineering—CE aspects to reduce the workload and cognitive capacity required from QMS specialists, using these technologies to tackle long-standing quality concerns and to re-optimize to deliver creative solutions. The decision to implement a QMS based on Q4.0 technologies is difficult to take due to the challenge that is to automatize dispersed activities. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that aids in the application of a Q4.0 QMS. The relationship between quality management practices and Industry 4.0 technologies that improve quality are deeply studied and connected with CE practices to develop an advanced framework, that makes it easier to overview all the dispersed activities within the manufacturing environment gathered as one, and simplify the application of new technologies to the QMS activities. The proposed framework was developed as result of this study.

Framework for Plastic Waste Management

Plastic pollution has become a global problem. Around 3.3 million tons of plastic are wasted annually, with an annual plastic product usage growth rate of 15%. The recycling sector is unstructured, policies at the state level are non-existent to address plastic waste management. Pakistan, as a developing country is also turning towards circular economy practices to benefit businesses and the environment. This case study is done with support from SPEL and aims to perform a systematic literature review, analyzing the present frameworks followed by developed countries for the implementation of CE in developing countries, its critical analysis for the gaps to achieve sustainability in view of UN SDGs 2030 along with the study of factors impacting PWM. The findings showed that the current system is primarily focused on garbage collection and transportation with very little focus on its management. Religion, culture, educational awareness, and psychology can play moderating roles in implementing CE practices. It will provide a conceptual framework that can be implemented by SPEL.

The HURRIER process for experimentation in business‐to‐business mission‐critical systems

AbstractContinuous experimentation (CE) refers to a set of practices used by software companies to rapidly assess the usage, value, and performance of deployed software using data collected from customers and systems in the field using an experimental methodology. However, despite its increasing popularity in developing web‐facing applications, CE has not been studied in the development process of business‐to‐business (B2B) mission‐critical systems. By observing the CE practices of different teams, with a case study methodology inside Ericsson, we were able to identify the different practices and techniques used in B2B mission‐critical systems and a description and classification of the four possible types of experiments. We present and analyze each of the four types of experiments with examples in the context of the mission‐critical long‐term evolution (4G) product. These examples show the general experimentation process followed by the teams and the use of the different CE practices and techniques. Based on these examples and the empirical data, we derived the HURRIER process to deliver high‐quality solutions that the customers value. Finally, we discuss the challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned from applying CE and the HURRIER process in B2B mission‐critical systems.

Transforming practices of diplomacy: the European External Action Service and digital disinformation

Abstract This article explores the transformative role of practices of countering digital disinformation in European Union diplomacy. It argues that an overlooked dimension of the change brought by the rise of digital disinformation is located in the emergence of everyday countering practices. Efforts to counter disinformation have led to the recruitment of new actors with different dispositions and skill sets than those of traditional diplomats and state officials in diplomatic organizations such as the European External Action Service. Focusing on the countering efforts by the East StratCom Task Force, a unit introduced in 2015, the article argues that the composition of actors, the task force's practices and the reorientation in audience perception it reflected, contributed significantly to institutional transformation. Drawing on 23 interviews with key actors and building on recent advancements in international practice theory, the article shows how change and transformation can be studied in practices that have resulted from digitalization in international politics. The article thus contributes to an increased understanding of the digitalization of diplomacy in which new practices can emerge from both deliberate reflection and experimentation.

Megatrends in Circular Economy: Avenues for Relevant Advancements in Organizations

The aim of this study is to systematize the main findings of 38 previous systematic literature reviews (SLRs) in circular economy. From this previous mapping, we outline main themes and limitations in the SLRs analysed, then we synthesize the findings of previous SLR to identify mega-trends in CE reserach. Finally, we propose avenues for future circular economy research. Our analysis indicates three main types of limitations of SLR in CE: The first are shortcomings in the SLR methods, the second is the low maturity of CE research and the third the limited dissemination of CE practices. These limitations coalesce to constrain the empirical and theoretical relevance of knowledge accumulated. A main contribution of our meta-analysis is to identify a paucity of accumulated knowledge in critical areas needed for theory building, such as conceptual clarity, limited identification of antecedents, mediators and moderators and opaque understanding of boundary conditions. We conclude that more rigorous empirical research is needed to further build knowledge and generate CE-specific theory. Finally, 7 main areas for further research are proposed, indicating potential theoretical lenses when appropriate.

Circular economy in manufacturing companies: A review of case study literature

Manufacturing companies have played an important role in improving standards of living worldwide. However, in a linear setting, they are also linked to unsustainable production and consumption patterns. The concept of circular economy has gained traction in recent years: it aims at eventually severing this link, through keeping resources ‘in the loop’. Through a systematic literature review, this paper seeks to revisit the concept of circular economy in the manufacturing industry in order to determine whether the body of research has moved beyond concept development and into verified implementation in industry. Furthermore, we aim to analyse the important link between circular economy in manufacturing and sustainable development. The review shows that the field has indeed moved from purely conceptual work into empirical studies and research into implementation tools. However, in empirical studies, the sustainability impact of CE practices is typically adressed only through the environmental dimension, neglecting the social and economic dimensions. Further, a key finding is that the prevalence of narrow approaches to sustainability in manufacturing leads to a risk that circular economy implementation efforts will fail to provide solutions that are socially, environmentally, and economically beneficial. Holistic approaches are needed to avoid the implementation of solutions that may be framed as circular, but neglect the sustainability component.

Analysis of IFMBE-CED 2017 Worldwide Clinical Engineering Survey

Background and Objective: Clinical Engineering professionals are fundamental to the deployment of healthcare technology and to the management of its life cycle. As the role of technology grows in healthcare, so does the need for trained clinical engineering practitioners and the dynamic nature of the domain requires them to maintain their skills. However, the skills and activities required from clinical engineers around the world are not homogeneous, so the Clinical Engineering Division at IFMBE promoted a global survey to identify a common body of knowledge and body of practices for the profession.
 Material and Methods: This survey, based on a previous one conducted by the ACCE, was aimed at collecting data about CE practices and the importance of certain competencies for their practitioners.
 Results: Survey results indicate the profession still maintains certain traditional characteristics, such as the predominance of professionals with a background in electrical, electronic, or mechanical engineering and the prevalence of hospitals and clinics as employers. Some patterns in the perceived relevance of certain kinds of knowledge among different regions were also identified.
 Conclusion: Overall, the survey seems adequate to reveal which skills and activities clinical engineers considered the most relevant, but more responses are required before a solid Body of Knowledge and Body of Practice can be defined.

Circular economy and consumer acceptance: An exploratory study in East and Southeast Asia

Abstract The circular economy presents a practical solution to the earth’s resource limitations. To succeed, it is imperative for consumers to engage in circular economy practices. Are consumers buying in to these practices, however? This study examines consumer acceptance of three CE practices in East and Southeast Asia: using shared platforms, buying recycled goods, and purchasing remanufactured products. Focusing on electronic gadgets, the exploratory study of 584 Asian consumers yielded four findings: (1) Asia generates a large amount of e-waste, but the level of awareness of CE facilities and programs is limited; (2) although consumers are willing to try sharing platforms, they are concerned about being exploited or cheated; (3) consumer acceptance of recycled and remanufactured products in Asia is low because of their concern of reliability and quality; and (4) consumers are still willing to buy these products in the future because of their environmental- and cost-consciousness. We recommend that policy makers and companies work on various ways to promote circular economy practices, such as targeting certain demographic groups, managing consumers’ trust, allaying their concerns, improving offerings, and appealing to innovation-minded consumers.