Mapping and assessing technoloy catalysts that accelerate Circular Economy transition
Eltayeb, Ahmed (2019)
2019
Tuotantotalouden DI-ohjelma - Degree Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management
Tekniikan ja luonnontieteiden tiedekunta - Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2019-11-25
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-201911256247
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-201911256247
Tiivistelmä
The demanded, expected and continuous economic growth has a big burden on the environment because of the resources scarcity and limited availability. Circular Economy concept has been considered as an alternative paradigm that can eliminate waste and support the continual use of resources. Many companies are trying to deploy the CE concept through innovation and technological advancements. However, succeeding in that requires assessing the developing technologies to fit with circularity concept in order to be sustainable. To explore this phenomenon and address the issue while developing theory in this research area, this study aims at answering the following research question: What are the technology catalysts that accelerates Circular Economy transition? What is the criteria for assessing developing, and sustainable Circular Economy technologies? With the following sub-question; how the technology advances Circular Economy and sustainability? How ready is the technology?
To answer these questions, a multiple case study of 7 different cases is conducted. Various technologies were selected as the cases in order to cover a wide range of technology streams. The collected data is primarily qualitative, gathered from qualitative interviews. Five semi structured interviews were held, all the interviews were recorded and transcribed by the author. The data was analysed in each separate case using the framework developed to answer the re-search questions. Then from the data collected a cross case analysis is conducted on technologies per se level to pinpoint to any patterns across assessed technologies and on technology streams level, to identify the commonalities and differences among technology streams criteria for assessing Circular Economy technologies.
Results identify that developing and sustainable Circular Economy technologies should be assessed based on the criteria of circularity, sustainability and technological readiness. Each criterion has different deciding methodologies. Most of the methods and approaches used for assessment were mainly quantitative. Also, it is was identified that most immature technologies are the ones that follow a strong circularity strategies of reuse and reduce. Furthermore, most technology developers lack the importance of considering the social dimension of sustainability while developing their technologies. They rather link environmental benefits to social impact. The results also indicate that most technology streams can accelerate Circular Economy transition. Nevertheless, digital technologies, manufacturing technologies and bio-technologies were highlighted. Therefore, this study contributes to the qualitative assessment of Circular Economy literature and develops an assessment approach for managers, policy and decision makers for deciding upon technologies that fulfil a strategy of sustainable Circular Economy technologies.
To answer these questions, a multiple case study of 7 different cases is conducted. Various technologies were selected as the cases in order to cover a wide range of technology streams. The collected data is primarily qualitative, gathered from qualitative interviews. Five semi structured interviews were held, all the interviews were recorded and transcribed by the author. The data was analysed in each separate case using the framework developed to answer the re-search questions. Then from the data collected a cross case analysis is conducted on technologies per se level to pinpoint to any patterns across assessed technologies and on technology streams level, to identify the commonalities and differences among technology streams criteria for assessing Circular Economy technologies.
Results identify that developing and sustainable Circular Economy technologies should be assessed based on the criteria of circularity, sustainability and technological readiness. Each criterion has different deciding methodologies. Most of the methods and approaches used for assessment were mainly quantitative. Also, it is was identified that most immature technologies are the ones that follow a strong circularity strategies of reuse and reduce. Furthermore, most technology developers lack the importance of considering the social dimension of sustainability while developing their technologies. They rather link environmental benefits to social impact. The results also indicate that most technology streams can accelerate Circular Economy transition. Nevertheless, digital technologies, manufacturing technologies and bio-technologies were highlighted. Therefore, this study contributes to the qualitative assessment of Circular Economy literature and develops an assessment approach for managers, policy and decision makers for deciding upon technologies that fulfil a strategy of sustainable Circular Economy technologies.