Economic Principles Research Articles

NONLINEAR DYNAMICS METHODS APPLICATIONS TO PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT

The research being carried out is aimed at applying nonlinear dynamics methods in product life cycle management to improve communication between processes and achieve environmental sustainability. The purpose of the article is to create a nonlinear mathematical model for analysing product lifecycle management. Chaotic nonlinear dynamical processes of product lifecycle are deterministic but have the property that even small uncertainties in initial conditions lead to exponentially growing errors in the management that limit long-term forecasts. The emergence of chaotic behaviour in processes of product lifecycle was explored, focusing on fluctuations. The study employed methods such as systems analysis, correlation analysis, nonlinear dynamics, and the Surrogate model of chaotic Lorenz waterwheel. It was identified that sharp technological innovations as the primary drivers of short-term fluctuations impacting fixed efficiency and effectiveness of product life cycle process development. The resulting nonlinear dynamic model allowed for flexible operation, transitioning between equilibrium, periodic, and chaotic states based on coefficient values for asset growth rates and time constants reflecting product life cycle process dynamics. The research results are valuable for companies seeking to reduce their environmental impact and implement circular economy principles.

Local recycling and reuse of concrete and soil: The societal impact of double-loop learning from circular urban transformation projects

The article presents certain findings from a large European research and development project aiming to generate societal impact through multi-stakeholder collaboration based on circular economy principles in the built environment. In the project, eight apartment buildings were demolished, and recycled aggregate concrete was used to cast the foundation for a new city hall being constructed nearby. Additionally, excavated soil from the construction of the city hall was transported to the urban development site where apartment buildings had been demolished, and the excavated soil was used in the terrain for the new urban development in the area. The local reuse of excavated soil significantly reduced transport volumes as the soil would otherwise have been transported long distances out of the city. The primary impact of the project was the direct environmental effects associated with the local concrete and soil recycling. The secondary impacts were linked to improved coordination and management of circular construction projects in the municipality through knowledge and competences being developed during the project (single-loop learning). Finally, the project also created awareness in the municipal organisation about strategic and organisational changes needed to facilitate future circular construction projects (double-loop learning).

Correlation of financial literacy with saving

The aim of this research is to test and explain the correlation between financial literacy and saving. The scope of financial literacy includes knowledge about the benefits of financial planning, knowledge about the risks of not carrying out financial planning, knowledge about how to prepare financial reports, knowledge about interest in saving and knowledge about interest in borrowing. Meanwhile, the scope of saving includes conformity to economic principles, conformity to sharia principles, varied savings products, recommendations from friends and recommendations from family. This research uses a quantitative approach with associative methods. With a population and research sample of 110 postgraduate student respondents at Universitas Islam Negeri Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung (UIN SATU Tulungagung), the results showed that there was a strong correlation between financial literacy variables and saving. The results of this research are significant so that it is practically recommended for stakeholders to improve both quantity and quality in relation to financial literacy and saving, and can be implemented in household and corporate family environments.

Integration of Acoustic Metamaterials Made of Plastic to Improve Building Acoustics

According to the Waste Management Policy of the European Union, the recycling and reuse of various wastes is considered the most environmentally friendly and advanced waste disposal technology that has the least impact on the environment. By applying the principles of the Circular Economy, plastic waste will extend its life cycle and will be used as secondary materials to create metamaterial structures with improved sound absorption and insulation properties. Acoustic metamaterial resonators, created from plastic, were measured in an impedance tube according to standards ISO 10534-2 for their sound absorbing and ASTM E2611 for their insulating properties. Two types of plastic, PLA and recycled PET-G, were used in acoustic metamaterial 3D printing process. Sound absorption of both PLA and PET-G metamaterials were peaking at 1600 Hz with 0,93 and 0,89 sound absorption coefficient, respectfully. For sound insulation, combined resonator systems were used to control symmetrical wall sound resonance. The aim of this study was to determine plastic potential for use in acoustic structures. The results showed that combined constructions with plastic metamaterials can be integrated into building structures and used as an alternative for improving building acoustics, reducing indoor noise and reverberation time.

Combining Building Information Model and Life Cycle Assessment for Defining Circular Economy Strategies

Although the construction industry has the potential to implement circular economy (CE) principles, the sector suffers from a veritable lack of initiatives to develop circular and regenerative design principles. However, existing buildings intended to be demolished could be considered as material banks for future constructions, with the aim to exploit anthropogenic resources, extend material/product efficiency, and reduce the extraction of natural resources. This concept of buildings as material banks is being studied more and more in the scientific literature, but it still requires the existing building stock to be fully digitalized, thus making materials reusable in new buildings starting from the architectural design stage. Moreover, the decision process regarding CE strategies requires the consideration of the environmental impacts of the deconstruction and end-of-life processes, which is essential in CE implementation. This paper introduces a digital platform for generating materials inventory and supporting the definition of reuse strategies. Then, by using digital tools in combination with life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of the deconstruction process and output of materials and components inventories, a method is defined and tested on a pilot building in Luxembourg.

Principles of Behavioral Economics: Bringing Together Old, New and Evolutionary Approaches

Principles of Behavioral Economics: Bringing Together Old, New and Evolutionary Approaches

Towards Circular Energy: Exploring Direct Regeneration For Lithium-Ion Battery Sustainability.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are rapidly developing into attractive energy storage technologies. As LIBs gradually enter retirement, their sustainability is starting to come into focus. The utilization of recycled spent LIBs as raw materials for battery manufacturing is imperative for resource and environmental sustainability. The sustainability of spent LIBs depends on the recycling process, whereby the cycling of battery materials must be maximized while minimizing waste emissions and energy consumption. Although LIB recycling technologies (hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy) have been commercialized on a large scale, they have unavoidable limitations. They are incompatible with circular economy principles because they require toxic chemicals, emit hazardous substances, and consume large amounts of energy. The direct regeneration of degraded electrode materials from spent LIBs is a viable alternative to traditional recycling technologies and is a nondestructive repair technology. Furthermore, direct regeneration offers advantages such as maximization of the value of recycled electrode materials, use of sustainable, non-toxic reagents, high potential profitability, and significant application potential. Therefore, this review aims to investigate the state-of-the-art direct LIB regeneration technologies that can be extended to large-scale applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Small business development in stabilizing Alberta’s economy (Canada)

This paper considers small businesses as an effective sector that solves current problems in the structure of the economy. The study aims to develop a set of measures (tools) for involving small businesses in stabilizing Alberta’s economy. The methodology includes the monitoring of the economy within Alberta’s regional borders over time; statistical analysis of the small business sector before and during the pandemic in the structure of the economy; as well as grouping and converting quantitative measurements into a qualitative summary of the main economic principles. These steps are aimed at developing a set of measures (tools) for involving small businesses in the economy of the province and the country as a whole. The growth of small enterprises ensures a practice focused on productivity, innovation, and society, which is confirmed by the dominant share of small businesses in the gross domestic product created by the dominant share of small businesses in the gross domestic product created by the private sector of the province. Thus, focusing on the economic principles of small businesses, a complex of measures is proposed for mobilization to maximize the economic result at the provincial level in the context of strengthening the national economy. In practice, the findings will help the local government to determine a set of beneficial policies, contributing to the utilization of the advantages of the local economy in the sphere of business production. Entrepreneurs are provided with an opportunity to qualitatively utilize economic opportunities, recognizing the risks of the external environment.

Vermicomposting as a Valorization Solution to the Winery Sector By-Products

Winemaking is one of the most relevant socio-economic activities in the world, particularly in countries such as Portugal, generating substantial amounts of by-products across its various phases. Managing these by-products presents significant environmental, ecological, and economic challenges. Vermicomposting, the use of earthworms to process and transform organic wastes into nutrient-rich end-products, provides a viable alternative for waste management within the wine sector. This bioprocess also produces vermicompost that enhances soil health and fosters optimal conditions for plant growth, thereby promoting resilient and sustainable viticulture practices. This review explores the various by-products produced by the vine and wine industry, highlighting the potential of vermicomposting. Remarkably, grape marc, the primary solid waste of the winemaking process, has been the most commonly vermicomposted material. In contrast, other vineyard and wine cellar by-products have been comparatively underutilized and understudied in this context. However, we hypothesize that all vine and wine industry by-products have vermicomposting potential, allowing for the production of fertilizers and soil amendments. This approach aligns with the principles of the circular economy, ensuring that all materials stemming from viticulture and wine production are valued and reused, thereby contributing to enhanced sustainability and the preservation of resources like soil.

The potential use of brewers' spent grain-based substrates as horticultural bio-fertilizers

IntroductionBrewers' spent grain (BSG) is the most important by-product of breweries. Currently, the primary method of recycling BSG is through its use in livestock feed production, due to its high fiber content, non-degradable protein, and water-soluble vitamins. Nonetheless, composting, vermicomposting, and biochar production pathways offer promising alternatives for managing this organic byproduct.MethodsBSG-based substrates were evaluated as bio-fertilizers for use during the transplantation of Lactuca sativa L. and without additional fertilization at the end of the crop cycle. Biochar (B), vermicompost (V), compost (CP), and compost enriched with a microbial consortium (CPE), each mixed at 2 and 4% with peat, were compared with two control treatments: 100% peat (C1) and peat with ternary chemical fertilizer (C2). The experiment was designed with six replicates, half of which were inoculated with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum mycelium during transplantation to assess the contribution of different substrates to pathogen resistance.ResultsOverall, it was found that the control treatment C2 was the most effective, yielding the greatest plant height at the seedbed stage and the best results across all parameters at harvest. The V 4%, CP 4%, and CPE 4% treatments showed similar results without significant differences compared to the control. At the end of the seedbed phase, plants treated with CP 4% and CPE 4% exhibited the most substantial root development, with statistically significant differences from all other treatments. Moreover, the CPE 4% treatment demonstrated superior performance, resulting in statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the chlorophyll content (α and β) and carotenoid parameters when compared to the control treatment C2. The interaction between the treatment and the pathogen was statistically significant only for the carotenoid content in the CPE 4% treatment and for the flavonoid content in most of the treatments.DiscussionThe most promising results were obtained at the nursery phase, highlighting the potential use of processed BSG-based substrates as bio-fertilizers. These products provided plants with both a growth substrate and nutrients, effectively contributing to waste recycling and aligning with the principles of a circular economy. Additional studies are required to investigate the potential use of brewer's spent grain as bio-fertilizers in other vegetable crop species.

STRAWPLAST: PIONEERING ECO-PACKAGING SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

StrawPlast presents a groundbreaking eco-packaging solution that merges straw fibers with bioplastic, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional packaging materials. This innovative approach addresses environmental concerns by utilizing renewable resources and reducing reliance on non-biodegradable plastics. Through a combination of straw's abundance and bioplastic's biodegradability, StrawPlast not only minimizes environmental impact but also promotes circular economy principles. This paper explores the development, properties, and potential applications of StrawPlast, highlighting its role in fostering a greener and more sustainable future for packaging industries worldwide.

Flipflopi: Circular economy design inspiration from a recycled plastic sailing dhow

Flipflopi is an East African organisation with a mission to end single use plastic, driving this agenda using circular economy principles applied to the design and build of fully recycled plastic sailing dhows from their boatyard in Lamu Kenya. Flipflopi has achieved measurable global impact by showcasing the world’s first ocean going recycled sailing boat, Ndogo, a 9 metre long, lateen rigged dhow which has sailed the East African coastline and across Lake Victoria. Flipflopi is now aiming to build a much larger ocean-going dhow, named Kubwa, which presents further technical challenges from a marine design perspective. To meet these challenges. Flipflopi are utilising a combination of generational heritage boatbuilding expertise in Lamu; specific design experience from building and sailing Ndogo; technological progress driven by other recycled plastic projects; and more formalised naval architecture and engineering design approaches. This paper introduces the context within which Flipflopi is centred, the links to circular economy design principles and the specific design challenges from working with recycled plastic as a boatbuilding material.

Role of Biomass Gasification in Achieving Circular Economy

Growing awareness of environmental concerns and the prioritisation of environmental stewardship necessitates the incorporation of sustainability practices that are both economical and profitable. This involves transforming existing industrial practices from the ‘take-make-waste’ approach to one that aligns with the principles of a circular economy. This includes the use and restoration of bioreserves or the cycling of products in a manner that minimizes waste generation by employing the concepts of reuse and recycling. The adoption of circular economy principles is especially critical in energy-intensive industries, and there is increased attention to implementing these principles through biomass gasification. Various methodologies exist for utilizing the potential of biomass by employing biomass gasification to achieve the desired levels of energy output. Techniques incorporating circular economy principles for biomass gasification have become increasingly sought after and achieved widespread implementation in the past few decades. In this paper, we examine the principle of a circular economy and how biomass gasification can be leveraged in processes requiring high-energy input to achieve the same.

Principle of economy in language

Principle of economy in language

A Research Article on Sustainable Construction Material

The construction industry is facing increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impacts and address resource scarcity. Sustainable construction materials play a pivotal role in achieving these goals by reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste generation, and promoting circular economy principles. This research article provides a comprehensive review of advancements in sustainable construction materials, encompassing various categories such as recycled materials, bio-based materials, and low-carbon alternatives. It explores a wide array of materials such as Human Hair fiber, bamboo, coconut fiber, and more. Each material's sustainable attributes, including recyclability, durability, energy efficiency, and reduced environmental impact, are thoroughly examined. Furthermore, the review investigates the manufacturing processes, life cycle assessment, and environmental performance of these materials. It discusses the challenges and barriers to the widespread adoption of sustainable construction materials, including cost considerations, regulatory hurdles, and technological limitations.

Problems of the transition of the Ukrainian economy to a “green economy” based on sustainable technological change

The article reveals the problems of the transition to a “green” economy based on sustainable technological changes, which are caused by global ecological pollution of the ecosystem, which leads to warming and ecological changes and the insufficiency of the natural resource potential to meet the needs of the population of the planet, which does not contribute to development. The essence of the study is to determine the impact of a green economy on economic growth and development, in which natural assets continue to provide resources and environmental services. It is shown that the green economy provides a practical and flexible approach to achieving concrete, measurable progress in all its economic and environmental principles, while at the same time fully taking into account the social consequences of greening the dynamics of economic growth. Green economy strategies aim to ensure that natural assets can fully realize their economic potential in a sustainable manner. This potential includes the provision of vital life support services—clean air and water, as well as the sustainable biodiversity needed to support food production and human health. Natural assets cannot be replaced indefinitely, so the policy of the green economy should take this into account. It is characterized that the green economy provides a practical and flexible approach to achieving concrete, measurable progress in all its economic and environmental principles, while at the same time fully taking into account the social consequences of greening the dynamics of economic growth. The problems of the post-war revival of Ukraine’s economy are systematized and proposals for their solution are substantiated, which is the scientific contribution of the authors to the coverage of this problem. The global problems of the transition to a green economy, which are closely related to Ukrainian realities, are revealed. The practical content is determined by the fact that the theoretical and methodological provisions, conclusions and scientific and practical recommendations constitute the scientific basis for the development of a new holistic concept of the development of the green economy of Ukraine. The conclusions that it is the “green” economy that is able to most closely link the ecological and economic aspects of the national economy, acting as a key direction for ensuring the sustainable “green” development of the region and the state as a whole, actualize the prospects of creating a green economy in Ukraine and become necessary and quite achievable in the post-war period.

Revealing governance forms: the case of French agrifood platforms

PurposeAgrifood platforms are now part of consumption habits. They have emerged in various forms, and we need to describe this diversity to understand better how platforms manage their relationships with farmers. We aim to understand the governance forms of agrifood platforms and consider whether they comply with the principles of transaction cost economics (TCE).Design/methodology/approachBased on a survey of 103 French platform managers, a two-step cluster analysis and ordered logit regressions were applied to test hypotheses derived from the theory.FindingsThe results enable us to propose a refined typology of eight governance forms for the farmer-platform relationship. These different forms can be classified according to a continuum ranging from “market to hierarchy”, conforming to TCE principles. We define a gradient describing how the platforms manage their relations with the farmers through contractual and relational control. We show that specific assets, behavioural uncertainty, and membership in a platform network are associated with more integrated governance forms.Practical implicationsThe article describes the different forms of platform governance and their relevance to market conditions. This clarification is necessary for farmers to elect the more suitable platform and for platform managers to create a new business or improve its efficiency.Originality/valueThis article is the first to offer a detailed typology of agrifood platform governance. It highlights these governance characteristics and their relationship with transaction attributes.

ТРАНСФОРМАЦІЯ МЕНЕДЖМЕНТУ БУДІВЕЛЬНИХ ПРОЄКТІВ В УМОВАХ ГЛОБАЛЬНОЇ ЦИФРОВІЗАЦІЯ

Introduction. The article discusses the need for systemic qualitative changes in the management structure and requirements for the construction project management process in the context of digital transformation, characterized by a combination of advanced technologies and the integration of physical and digital systems. The importance of considering the problems and aspects of digital transformation in the context of new generations (a qualitatively new cluster of human capital), digital talent, changing the mindset of project managers, as well as key changes in construction project management systems in the digital environment is highlighted. Problem statement. The construction industry is a fundamental sector of the economy of any country. A construction project is a structural element of the “construction” system, which allows to form the economic effect of the industry's development as a whole. Modern construction project management includes a set of interconnected but heterogeneous subsystems that together should increase the level of economic profitability. The defining subsystems are: 1. Strategic risk management: Given the volatility of raw material markets and the high value of some materials, the introduction of circular approaches in construction management can help reduce the vulnerability of projects to risks associated with fluctuations in material prices. 2. Efficient use of resources: A central goal of construction management is to optimize the use of resources to achieve project goals. The use of circular economy principles will allow to use resources more efficiently and reduce the cost of purchasing new materials.

Analisis Mekanisme Pasar Dalam Islam, Sistem Ekonomi, dan Etika Pengawasan Pasar Serta Pasar Dalam Perspektif Sejarah Islam

This abstract discusses the role of market mechanisms in an Islamic perspective, as well as the implications and application of Islamic economic principles in the market system. Using the literature review method, this research collects, evaluates, and synthesizes relevant literature to gain an in-depth understanding of the topic. The results of the analysis show that markets in Islam are seen as a natural mechanism for exchanging goods and services, with prices determined by the forces of demand and supply. Islamic economic principles, such as justice, expediency, and the prohibition of usury, are the foundation for a fair and sustainable market system. Apart from that, the importance of market supervision and compliance with market ethics is also emphasized to maintain balance and fairness in economic activities. The analysis also highlights prohibitions in Islamic transactions that can cause market distortions. In addition, this abstract presents a comparison between conventional economic systems (capitalist, socialist, and mixed) with Islamic economic systems, which are based on sharia principles. Thus, this research contributes to understanding the concept of market mechanisms in Islam and formulating economic policy recommendations that are in accordance with Islamic values.

Russian Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Challenges and Relevant Solutions

Relevance of the research. The article considers a forced paradigm shift and systemic restructuring of Russian logistics due to the introduction of sanctions barriers and partial trade blockade, which, in addition to restricting Russian exports and imports, threatens digital technological transformations in supply chain management and occurs against the backdrop of tightening international environmental requirements for business activities, including logistics.The purpose of the research is to review changes taking place in Russian logistics and to analyze corresponding solutions for supply chain management.Design, methods, information base. The methodological framework of the research consists of fundamentals of logistics and supply chain management, elements of economic systems digital development concept and basic principles of ecological economics. The main research methods are collecting information from secondary sources, practicing experts in-depth interviewing, specialists surveying, computer content and PESTEL analysis. The methodological basis is formed by the basics of logistics and supply chain management, elements of the concept of digital development of economic systems and basic principles of ecological economy. The information base of the research consisted of interview transcripts, survey results, bibliographic documents, and Internet text files.Findings. As a result of the work, external challenges and influencing factors are identified, internal processes, drivers and trends characteristic of Russian logistics and supply chain management today are identified and described. Relevant decisions made by Russian logisticians in the current period are systematized and evaluated. The flexibility and sustainability of supply chains was confirmed, as well as the high adaptability of Russian logistics to radical transformation of business environment and operating conditions.Originality/value of the research. The study showed that despite the deglobalization of Russian logistics, it remains possible to manage any cargo delivery to Russia from anywhere in the world. The material may be useful both to Russian logistics practitioners and to persons studying or teaching the discipline “Logistics”.