scholarly journals A Circular Economy for the Data Centre Industry: Using Design Methods to Address the Challenge of Whole System Sustainability in a Unique Industrial Sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6319
Author(s):  
Deborah Andrews ◽  
Elizabeth J. Newton ◽  
Naeem Adibi ◽  
Julie Chenadec ◽  
Katrin Bienge
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Digital Tool ◽  
Data Centre ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽  
The Impact

The data centre industry (DCI) has grown from zero in the 1980s, to enabling 60% of the global population to be connected in 2021 via 7.2 million data centres. The DCI is based on a linear economy and there is an urgent need to transform to a Circular Economy to establish a secure supply chain and ensure an economically stable and uninterrupted service, which is particularly difficult in an industry that is comprised of ten insular subsectors. This paper describes the CEDaCI project which was established to address the challenge in this unique sector; this ground-breaking project employs a whole systems approach, Design Thinking and the Double Diamond methods, which rely on people/stakeholder engagement throughout. The paper reviews and assesses the impact of these methods and project to date, using quantitative and qualitative research, via an online sectoral survey and interviews with nine data centre and IT industry experts. The results show that the project is creating positive impact and initiating change across the sector and that the innovative output (designs, business models, and a digital tool) will ensure that sectoral transformation continues; the project methods and structure will also serve as an exemplar for other sectors.

Heavy Lifters, India: Towards a Circular Economy Era

2021 ◽  
pp. 097226292110435
Author(s):  
Anupama Prashar
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Total Cost Of Ownership ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Planning And Control ◽  
Cost Of Ownership ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The case helps students to understand the emerging concept of linear and circular economies. It facilitates to examine the implications of circular business models such as remanufacturing on operations management decisions. It also introduces them to the concept of total cost of ownership and impact of remanufacturing on reducing total cost of ownership. The cases help students to evaluate the challenges and opportunities of remanufacturing business in emerging economy like India. This case is among the first few cases on the application of circular economy principles in context of heavy-duty and off-road sector and the impact of these principles on product design and production planning and control decisions.

scholarly journals Transitioning Toward a Circular Economy: The Impact of Stakeholder Engagement on Sustainability Culture

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela M. Salvioni ◽  
Alex Almici
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
The Impact

The circular economy transition increasingly points to the need for a change in corporate culture, namely toward sustainability. This change can be supported by improving relations with relevant stakeholders, engaging comprehensively with them, and creating strong awareness about issues such as ecosystem protection, health-related safeguards, and the careful use of resources. In this regard, through stakeholder engagement and a review of traditional business models, the circular economy can contribute to transforming the corporate culture to ensure the concurrent enhancement of economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This study verified the role of stakeholder engagement in establishing and strengthening the sustainability culture in a company transitioning toward a circular economy. The case study research methodology was applied, referencing a single firm—operating in the oil and energy industry—representing one of the best practices in the international context, even if some efforts are still required to reduce downstream emissions. The findings underline the contributing role played by stakeholder engagement in establishing values and principles compliant with environmental protection and community wellbeing. Thus, this study contributes to the existing stakeholder engagement literature and sheds light on the practical implications and emerging issues.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF FINTECH DEVELOPMENT ON FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetiana Tokhtamysh ◽  
◽  
Oleksandr Yaholnytskyi ◽  
Kateryna Hranko ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Venture Capital ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Foreign Direct Investments ◽  
Financial Industry ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

The article looks over the degree of implementation of FinTech services in the world. It’s determined that the leading countries in the implementation of FinTech are China, India, and South Africa. Crucial influencing factor is demographic, rather than the widespread demand among the population for modern technology. The penetration rate of these services in the United States, where the largest technology companies in the world are located, was only 46%. The share of service users among the population that actively use digital technologies reaches 33%. Noted that the objects of investment of American banks are startups, programming applications of open interfaces and platforms for third-party developers. European banks also aim to invest actively in the development of FinTech but are still more focus on their own development. It is determined that Asian, Australian and African banks tend to develop technological solutions on their own. According to experts, the number of partnership agreements in the world with FinTech companies will increase each year. The analysis of the regional structure of global investments in FinTech carried out. It showed a positive dynamics of investment during 2014–2019. Increasing the size of global investments is due to the interest of investors in new projects and business models. Venture capital investment priorities coincide with global ones and are related to reviewing, updating, and improving business processes. The amount of venture capital invested in FinTech projects stimulates the development of the financial industry, mainly in China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. They account for almost 9 times more investment in FinTech than in other countries. Correlation-regression analysis was applied to investigate the relationship between the level of development of the FinTech market and foreign direct investments. According to the results of calculations, the largest impact on foreign direct investment has the volume of venture investment in FinTech-projects and the FinTech market development rating. This proves the positive impact of FinTech companies on the growth of foreign investments in the country.

scholarly journals Smoking kills you, littering butts damages others too: analysing sustainable consumer behaviour in the era of circular economy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahid Rasool ◽  
Roberto Cerchione ◽  
Piera Centobelli ◽  
Eugenio Oropallo
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Awareness Programs ◽  
Feared Self ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAlthough litter prevention has environmental, social and economic benefits, cigarette butts are the most littered item on earth. While there has been vast research into the relationship between different factors affecting consumer behaviour, further research is needed to examine the antecedents of consumer sustainable behaviour. The aim of this study is to test the impact of feared self and landfill awareness on the sustainable behaviour of consumers using a structural equation modelling approach. Primary data of consumers are used to validate the hypothesised model. The findings highlight that feared self has a positive impact on the sustainable behaviour of consumers, while feared-self congruency and landfill awareness do not affect consumer sustainable behaviour. As for the implications, the results can support academics and strategic managers in the design process of sustainable consumer awareness programs to achieve environmental, social and economic benefits in the era of circular economy.

scholarly journals Designing waste management systems to meet circular economy goals: The Italian case

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giacomo Di Foggia ◽  
Massimo Beccarello
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Solid Waste Management ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste Management ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Waste management capacity plays a prominent role in complying with circular economy goals, such as reducing municipal waste disposal by landfilling to 10%. We first analyze the imbalance in municipal solid waste management across Italy by estimating the quantities of waste to be treated using technologies different from those currently in use. Subsequently, we estimate the impact that a system compliant with circular economy goals would have on the cost of waste management. Our empirical analyses are based on an econometric method. The results suggest that Italy could reduce the use of landfill by 11.5%, resulting in a 13% reduction in mechanical-biological treatment. The waste-to-energy capacity would rise by 4.6% compared to the current situation, while the organic fraction treatment capacity would increase by 8.3%. Besides the positive impact on the environment, the potential annual savings on the cost of waste management could reach 0.07%, or 0.27% when the phase corresponding to treatment and disposal is considered. We provide insights into the design of more efficient national waste management plans using a novel approach based on best performers.

scholarly journals CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP, PREREQUISITES FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1342-1359
Author(s):  
Daniela-Ioana Manea ◽  
Nicolae Istudor ◽  
Vasile Dinu ◽  
Dorel-Mihai Paraschiv
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Sustainable Entrepreneurship ◽  
Synthetic Indicators ◽  
Composite Indices ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Quality of life and social welfare are objectives of the social policy of any state. The study aims to identify the influence of factors such as the circular economy, digital innovation, sustainable entrepreneurship on social progress and completes the current approach identified in the literature by assessing the dependencies between the phenomena represented by them. The quantification of the influences of the enumerated factors on social progress was achieved by identifying some synthetic indicators, such as composite indices, which would surprise the complexity of the analyzed phenomena. To measure the progress of the transition to the circular economy – using multivariate analysis methods – a composite indicator has been proposed and determined that allows the ranking of EU states according to its orientation, as a premise of social progress, and can substantiate the adjustment national policies. The integration of the proposed indicator in the regression models used, with similar indices, is done to highlight the impact of the circular economy, innovation and sustainable entrepreneurship on social progress. Thus, the adaptation of digital technologies in current business models, the development of sustainable innovative entrepreneurship support the transition from the linear economy to a circular economy and offer new study opportunities.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Job Stress, Job Autonomy and Working Conditions on Employee Satisfaction

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
Muhammad Rizwan ◽  
Muhammad Imran Jamil ◽  
Umar Shahid ◽  
H.M. Akhtar Saeedi ◽  
Nabeel Faisal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Job Stress ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Employee Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Job Autonomy ◽  
Special Effects ◽  
The Impact

This paper elaborates a comprehensive judgment of employee satisfaction indices of business, the factors resulting the displeasure & suggestions to improve them. Satisfaction of human reserve result the close relations to very much-motivated Human Resources (HR). Additionally, little levels of employee satisfaction were associated to negative work actions and motivations. There is a great concern about the employee satisfaction and their involvement among employees is having the opportunity to use their efforts and skills at work. Employees commonly have skills and efforts beyond the place for which they were hired. The study investigates the special effects of job stress, working conditions and job autonomy on employee satisfaction. The quantitative data was collected from the industrial sector and  private banking scatter (Financial institutions) of the Punjab (Bahawalpur) that consists of a sample size of 180 including the administrative, accounts and finance. The suitable sampling technique was used to collect the data from the target population. The 160 questionnaires were circulated in the administrative, accounts and finance. For analysis, we have used regression analysis techniques. The results showed that job stress has a relationship with employee satisfaction. Job autonomy & Working conditions has also positive impact on employee satisfaction. These factors determine the satisfaction of the employee. In our opinion if the company is able to develop the desired facilities for their employees, then they can perform better.

scholarly journals An Integrated Measurement of the Efficiency of China’s Industrial Circular Economy and Associated Influencing Factors

Mathematics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1610
Author(s):  
Chenyu Lu ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Hengji Li ◽  
Zilong Zhang ◽  
Wei Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Analysis ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Industrial Transformation ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Autonomous Regions ◽  
The Impact

Since the 1990s, the notion of a circular economy has been developing globally; countries all over the world have been considering the development of a circular economy as an important means of achieving sustainable development. As the development of an industrial circular economy can help promote the efficient recycling of resources, it is an important starting point for industrial transformation and upgrading, and represents a key factor that will lead to the development of a circular economy in China. China’s varying provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) have successively implemented circular economy practices in the industrial field. The research object of the present study is 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the control of central government (Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and Tibet were not included owing to lack of data). Through the integration of geographic information systems (GIS) technology and the spatial analysis model, data envelopment analysis (DEA) model, and Tobit regression model, a measure model and index system are constructed, in order to carry out a multi-angle comprehensive study integrating the efficiency evaluation, spatial analysis, and influencing factors analysis of China’s industrial circular economy. It is an important innovation, and an important contribution to the existing research system. The conclusions are as follows: (1) In general, the overall level of China’s industrial circular economy’s efficiency was not high, and there was still a lot of room for improvement. The integrated efficiency of the industrial circular economy in the eastern region was relatively high, followed by that in the western region, and the lowest level in the middle region. (2) The efficiency of China’s industrial circular economy displayed obvious spatial aggregation characteristics at the provincial level, including clear spatial dependence and spatial heterogeneity. High-value aggregation areas were mainly distributed in the eastern coastal areas, and low-value aggregation areas were concentrated and contiguously distributed in the middle and western inland areas. (3) The four elements of economic level, openness to the outside, government regulation, and industrialization aggregation each impose a significant positive impact on the efficiency of China’s industrial circular economy, which can promote its efficiency. The level of industrialization exerts a significant negative impact on the efficiency of the industrial circular economy, which hampers its improvement. The impact of technological innovation on the efficiency of the industrial circular economy is not statistically significant.

Circular Economy and Circular Business Models in the Actual Global Ecological Context

2020 ◽  
pp. 178-197
Author(s):  
Dana Maria (Oprea) Constantin ◽  
Sorinel Căpușneanu ◽  
Dan Ioan Topor ◽  
Hassan Danial Aslam
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Ecological Context ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

This chapter aims to synthesize some of the current issues of the circular economy and circular business models. Based on the international literature, the chapter highlights aspects such as the conceptual theoretical approaches of the circular economy and circular business models, interconnecting the principles of the circular economy, the difference between the linear and the circular economy, the circular economy and the sustainable development, the supply chain within the circular economy, possible business models of the circular economy, advantages and limitations in the successful implementation of the circular economy and supporting sustainability, other aspects of the circular economy and sustainability. The covered topics are based on the studies conducted by specialists and also present some author opinions on the sustainable development and circular economy. The chapter ends with the authors' conclusions on the impact of the circular economy and circular business models in the actual ecological context, launching possible future research topics for specialists.

Digitalization as a new way to transform conventional production methods in the natural resources sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-262
Author(s):  
Viktor M. ZAERNYUK ◽  
Chi CHANG
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Expert Assessment ◽  
Generation Model ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Digital World

Subject. This article deals with the issues of implementation of digital transformation of enterprises in order to improve their core competitiveness and achieve high rates of development. Objectives. The article aims to analyze and assess the baseline conditions and opportunities for the digital transformation of natural resources sector enterprises. Methods. For the study, we used analytical, quantitative, and expert assessment methods and techniques, and the systems approach. Results. Based on a comparative analysis of the digital infrastructures of Russian natural resources sector enterprises and Chinese industrial sector enterprises, the article reveals a significant lag between Russian and Chinese enterprises in terms of IT-technology, -network, and special software supplying and upgrading. The article emphasizes the importance of training highly qualified natural resources management experts and specialists that have new information and network skills and competencies. Conclusions. The next-generation model of industrial development based on the comprehensive application of next-generation digital technologies, contributes to the creation of a digital world that is changing conventional management and business models. The necessary business management software should primarily be based on home-grown products to manage production in the natural resources sector, rather than on the software used in other economies.

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