Circulation economics – a turn towards sustainability
Abstract
Purpose
This paper is an attempt to advance the critical discussion regarding environmental and societal responsibility in economics and business.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents and discusses as a holistic, organic perspective enabling innovative solutions to challenges concerning the responsible and efficient use of natural resources and the constructive interplay with culture. To reach the goal of sustainable development, the paper argues that it is necessary to make changes in several dimensions in mainstream economics. This change of perspective is called a turn towards sustainability. To illustrate the theoretical discussion, the paper gives some practical examples from the reprocessing industry in Norway.
Findings
The paper finds, first, effective and efficient use of natural resources is necessary to implement circular value chains. Second, sustainable development presupposes a perspective integrating economic, natural and cultural values. Third, to organize the interplay between all stakeholders we introduce an arena for communicative cooperation.
Originality/value
The paper concludes that circulation economics presupposes a change in paradigm, from a mechanistic to an organic world view.
Keywords
Citation
Ingebrigtsen, S. and Jakobsen, O. (2006), "Circulation economics – a turn towards sustainability", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 33 No. 8, pp. 580-593. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290610678725
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited