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- ItemAnalysis of circular strategies: A case study of the food processing industry(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Fernandez-Gonzalez, Raquel; Ricoy-Casas, Rosa Maria; Teixeira Pereira, Zita Graca; Vila Biglieri, Jorge Eduardo; Ekonomická fakultaThis research investigates the implementation of the circular economy in the Galician canned fish and seafood sector. This sector is crucial, producing 225,000 t annually and representing 75% of Spain’s total production, significantly contributing to the regional economy and employment. Moreover, this industry significantly contributes to the regional economy employing around 12,000 people. Using the PESTLE methodology, the study systematically and holistically examines the most relevant systems and actors in the sector. The analysis is complemented by a SWOT analysis, enriched through brainstorming sessions with 24 industry experts who evaluated and scored each factor’s importance from 0 to 1. From the analysis of the external environment of the circular strategy that the industry is exposed to and does not control, economic uncertainty is identified as the main threat (0.8) and technological innovation as the main opportunity (0.9). The internal environment analysis, influenced by the industry’s current situation, identified the main weakness of the circular strategy as high implementation costs, and the main strength is institutional and regulatory support (0.9). The results highlight significant institutional and regulatory support, availability of public subsidies, and strong technological and research capabilities as major strengths. However, the sector faces challenges such as dependence on public funding, high implementation costs, and a lack of qualified workforce. Opportunities include growing demand for sustainable products and technological innovation, while threats encompass economic uncertainty and global competition. The conclusions emphasize the need for strategic management of these factors to ensure the successful adoption of circular economy practices. Specifically, enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors, increasing investment in innovation and workforce training, and leveraging favorable legislation are crucial for improving the sector’s sustainability and competitiveness. By strategically managing these elements, the Galician canned fish and seafood sector can not only enhance its environmental sustainability but also achieve greater economic resilience and market competitiveness. This comprehensive approach ensures that the sector can effectively transition to a circular economy, benefiting both the environment and the industry’s long-term viability.
- ItemResearch on citizens’ behavior in relation to the use of re-use centers and re-use points(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Hes, Ales; Svecova, Martina; Hinke, Jana; Salkova, Daniela; Ekonomická fakultaThe article explores the attitudes and behavior of Czech consumers aged 18+ towards the adoption of secondhand goods within the framework of the circular economy. While the European Union’s Circular economy action plan emphasizes sustainable production and consumption, consumer resistance to re-used goods remains a barrier. The exploratory study aims to identify the perception/attitude/relationship of the Czech population towards the purchase of used items. Detailed knowledge of the customer is an elementary base for the market of re-used products to grow. The research objective is divided into three partial objectives: identifying the main customer segments in secondhand markets, evaluating the reasons for and against purchasing re- used items, and assessing the perceived suitability of various product categories for secondhand trading. Conducted in June 2024, the research involved an online survey of 1,300 respondents across the Czech Republic. Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB) was employed to structure the questionnaire, while data analysis utilized Pearson’s χ²-test of independence to examine relationships between categorical variables. In some instances, complementary methods were employed. The findings indicate that younger consumers and those actively employed are more inclined to purchase re-used goods, while older individuals and pensioners show higher reluctance. Cars, art, and books were viewed as highly suitable for secondhand markets, whereas casual footwear was ranked lower. The results also suggest that Czech consumers are generally open to the secondhand market and each product category has corresponding group of customers who find the product suitable to sell. This research contributes to the literature on the circular economy by highlighting how targeted business and marketing strategies can address consumer resistance, ultimately fostering sustainable consumption.
- ItemBack to the future of fashion: Circularity and consumer ethics(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Novo-Corti, Isabel; Membiela-Pollan, Matias; Tirca, Diana M.; Ekonomická fakultaThis paper examines the primary drivers behind the adoption of circular economy practices in the fashion industry, focusing on sustainable and ethical consumer behaviours in the digital era and future trends in young adults’ engagement. Following an extensive literature review, primary data were used to develop a cross-sectional empirical model, analysed through multiple linear regression. The model focused on the four main variables identified by the academic literature as being linked to circular fashion, which focuses on consumers’ information about prices, expected future trends in sustainable fashion, ethical consumption and technological developments. The results indicate strong support among young consumers for circularity in the fashion industry and highlight the potential for circularity in fashion to grow because sustainability is part of consumers’ values. This research provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of economic, ethical and technological factors driving the fashion industry’s shift towards circularity while highlighting the need for public policies that encourage corporate strategies aligned with ethical, responsible and technologically advanced consumption in the context of sustainable circular fashion.
- ItemBig data analytics and brand reputation: Catalysts for circular economy and sustainable performance(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Bin Mohamad Ali, Mohd Fadhil; Rehman, Asad Ur; Rehman Sherief, Arfan; Nawal, Ayesha; Ekonomická fakultaThe circular economy concept is popular because it encourages resource efficiency, sustainable production, a shift in economic thinking, and the creation of higher-skilled jobs. We are unavoidably used to the traditional linear economy cradle-to-cradle model of production and consumption in our contemporary life. This study aims to determine the elements that support and impede Malaysian manufacturing enterprises’ adoption of the big data analytics and circular economy business model, given the discrepancy in developing countries in Southeast Asia. The circular economy business model is used to analyze the impacts of sustainable performance. Using the lenses of dynamic capability theory (DCT) and covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), this study assesses the responses of 241 respondents from various sectors of the manufacturing sector having environmental management systems (EMS) within Malaysia. Therefore, survey-based primary data was gathered to understand the effect of big data analytics on sustainable performance via moderate mediation of circular economy practices, brand reputation, and environmental dynamics. Findings of distal mediation revealed that big data analytics have a significant positive effect on the sustainable performance of manufacturing firms. Furthermore, it is revealed that environment dynamics at each level of mediation moderate the relationship significantly; hence, it is important for the firms to understand the dynamics of the environment, either internal or external, where the firms are operating to effectively implement the big data analytics (BDA), circular economy practices (CEP) to achieve sustainable performance.
- ItemLeadership role in sustainable future of circular economy: Climate, economy, and environment interplay(Technická Univerzita v Liberci, ) Khan, Ali Junaid; Gigauri, Iza; Fayyaz, Sana; Birladeanu, Gheorghina-Liliana; Chaudhry, Iffat Sabir; Ekonomická fakultaThe issue of climate change is a significant concern in contemporary society characterized by a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. Asian nations are also dealing with issues related to climate change. The objective of this study is to ascertain the relationship between climate change and its impact on both the economy and the environment. This research examines the moderating influence of leadership skills on the variables of climate change, the economy, and the environment. The study employed a time lag research design to gather data in Pakistan. The analysis was based on a structural equation modelling approach with a sample size of 4,243 participants. The results suggest that leadership skills have a significant moderating impact on the relationship between climate change and the economy, and between climate change and the environment. The research highlights the impact of climate change on the economy and environment of a developing nation. The findings indicate that effective leadership abilities are necessary to manage environmental and economic conditions for long-term sustainability. The study holds significant implications for both theoretical and practical domains, particularly in enhancing climate control by incorporating leadership competencies. This research contributes to the concept of circular economy by showcasing the complex relationship between climate change, environment, economy, and leadership. The research extends noteworthy avenues for future exploration, laying the foundation for further contributions to the existing body of literature related to circular economy.