No / This research is an attempt to identify the kind of culture which is needed for a major transnational company to become a circular economy based organization based on the guidelines of Ellen McArthur Foundation. It aims to identify and learn from organizations with the relevant culture on the particular traits which may assist other organizations foster the culture required to implement a circular economy strategy. The information gathered is expected to contribute empirical information on culture management for circular economy strategy and an attempt to fill in the literature gap on strategy, mind-set shift and culture change, especially in transitioning towards sustainable business practices. The thesis mind-map and outline of chapters have been provided. Literature pointed out that alignment between organizational culture and strategy ensures successful implementation. The development of a more sustainable economic model, the circular economy, has triggered organizations to look into their business strategies and adjust accordingly. This research is an attempt to identify and learn from organizations with relevant culture on the particular traits which may assist other organizations foster the culture required to implement a circular economy strategy. The researchers applied Johnson’s (2001) cultural web and other relevant literatures on organizational culture, leadership, collaboration, and form constructs for an exploratory case study. Several management qualities have been mentioned namely the development of cross-functional teams, establishment of relationships beyond transactional partnerships, a risk oriented learning environment, entrepreneurial organization culture and structure, and empathetic leadership.

Yes / Circular supply chain (CSC) emphasises surge in application of reuse, recycling, remanufacturing and thereby promotes transformation from linear to circular model of flow of products. Supply chains of manufacturing industries have become global over the years. Products manufactured in developing nations are being sent to developed nations for mass consumption. Developed nations have regulatory policies, technological knowhow and modern infrastructure to adopt CSC model. Their counterpart is trailing in these aspects. In literature, limited work has been performed on identifying challenges of implementing CSC in developing nations. Therefore, employing literature review and feedback received from experts, 16 important barriers were identified to CSC adoption in India. These barriers were analysed using integrated Interpretive Structural Modelling ? MICMAC approach. The findings will contribute in transforming supply chains thereby bringing economic prosperity, addressing global warming and generating employment opportunities. Finally, crucial policy measures and recommendations are proposed to assist managers and government bodies.

Yes / The issues of food loss and waste (FLW) in the global supply chains have recently attracted attention. However, the causes of and strategies for mitigating FLW at different stages of the supply chains remain under researched. Our research aims to address these gaps in knowledge in a three-fold way: i) we identified the key causes (through root-cause analysis) of FLW in the supply chain of developed and less developed countries; ii) we systematically classified measures and policies that have been implemented to mitigate FLW; and iii) we developed an interdisciplinary conceptual framework for waste utilisation practices that can contribute towards the triple bottom-line in food systems. A root-cause analysis was performed and mitigation strategies identified by systematically analysing and synthesising the research published over the past 20 years (1998 to 2018) in the areas of FLW in the supply chain. We propose a conceptual model for the prevention of FLW utilising a systems approach through the concept of a circular economy. Since the agri-food sector is largely interdisciplinary, in our proposed model, we have also demonstrated a method of integrating contributions from multiple disciplines towards achieving total depollution (zero waste) in the supply chain. / Support provided by the British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant, Reference No: SG160072, for the development of the study.

Yes / In order to grow the food the world needs, there is a pressing need to gain a more detailed understanding of how innovative solutions can be incorporated into the agricultural supply chains, particularly within production, for environmentally, economically, ethically and socially viable food production. Despite a number of innovative solutions available, many challenges in agricultural supply are still prevalent, with researchers to date largely focusing on these challenges in isolation, as opposed to exploring the relationships held between these challenges. Thus, supported by Circular Economy, Agriculture, Industry 4.0 literature and expert opinions, agricultural supply chain challenges are modelled and analysed using ISM methodology to help uncover 12 agricultural challenges which ultimately impede goods moving within the supply chain. Findings discovered that the Unproductive Workers and Pesticide Hazards are the key drivers of agricultural challenges. The ISM Hierarchical model elucidates research propositions and a parsimonious model for future research.

Yes / Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the use, applicability and relevance of strategic planning as a process and tool when applied to exploring food security challenges, in the context of existing research on food security and food waste in the food supply chain. The issues associated with robust and resilient food supply chains within a circular economy are increasingly being seen as supportive of creating enhanced levels of food security but the authors argue that this is only sustainable when strategically planned as part of a cross-enterprise, information-rich and complex supply chain. The relevance of the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental (PESTLE) strategic planning tool is explored to establish whether it can play a role tacking the complexity of food insecurity (i.e. a lack of food security). Design/methodology/approach – This is a viewpoint piece therefore as a result, thought, normative literature and supposition are used as a means to ground and orientate the views of the authors. Findings – The authors identify and conclude that strategic planning tools like PESTLE across enterprises may not be relevant in supporting the reduction of food insecurity. This conclusion is predicated on the heightened level of complexity surrounding the pursuit of food security and the simplistic categorisation of PESTLE factors in a linear fashion that underpin this tool. Rather, the authors’ call for the use of strategic planning tools that are able to capture a large number of inter-related factors holistically. Practical implications – This insight to the inter-related factors that contribute to food insecurity will allow policy developers, decision makers and others to develop their understanding of how strategic planning can support increased levels of food security within a circular economy and across cross-enterprises. Originality/value – The authors contribute to the literature through a new insight of how normative strategic planning tools need to evolve in a complex, inter-connected world of international business and geo-politics. In doing so, it is expected that this research will motivate others to develop their line of enquiry around uncovering and exploring those inter-relationships connecting PESTLE factors.

This thesis explores the challenges Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) face in complying with EU sustainable packaging regulations as they pose ever tightening guidelines to follow. The study respondents are representatives from SMEs operating within the EU, who provided insights through semi-structured interviews. Employing the 7Rs framework—Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle, and Rot—this research investigates how these enterprises adapt their packaging strategies to align with EU directives aimed at achieving 70% recyclable and reusable packaging by 2030. Despite varied challenges such as high costs and diverse regulatory demands across EU states, SMEs demonstrate resilience and innovation in their compliance strategies. environmental impact while maintaining economic viability. Such as an SME transitioning from using plastic packaging to cardboard, driven by both regulatory requirements and carrier fees for non-compliance, which resulted in reduced environmental impact and improved customer satisfaction. This research provides insights into the dynamic interplay between regulatory frameworks and business practices, offering a deeper understanding of sustainability in the packaging industry.

Purpose: This study investigates the hedonic shopping values of Generation Z in the context of online second-hand fashion shopping, focusing on how environmental concerns, ethical reverence, and cost considerations influence their behaviors. This study delves into the existing research gaps by examining the complex interplay between hedonic values and pro-environmental behaviors, especially among younger consumers. Theoretical background: Background and theory highlight the increasing consumer awareness regarding the environmental impacts of fast fashion, leading to a shift towards sustainable alternatives such as second-hand shopping with low costs as a priority. The sections note that this trend is particularly pronounced among Generation Z, a demographic known for their digital nativity and strong ethical consciousness. Theoretical foundations address the high consumption of textiles and the corresponding environmental impact, underscoring the importance of promoting a circular economy in Sweden. Method: The quantitative data was collected through online surveys, which yielded 388 responses and was analyzed using SPSS. The results of all four hypotheses were accepted through Cronbach’s Alpha and Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and further analyzed through a regressionanalysis. Result & Conclusion: The results showed that all four hypotheses were accepted, with Hypothesis 3 having the weakest connection regarding the hedonic shopping value in the context of online second-hand purchases. Generation Z demonstrates an ability to prioritize ethical reasons over personal reasons and pleasure in their purchases, creating a complex paradox that influenced the conclusion and led to an updated conceptual framework where ethical reverence is no longer linked to Hypothesis 1, despite the general presence of hedonic shopping value among Generation Z. Future research is recommended to compare Generation Z with other demographic groups and conduct in-depth studies to observe how behavior changes over time within the same context.

Background: In recent years during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, consumers' purchasing behavior has changed and e-commerce has taken an increasingly large part of total consumption in Sweden, as well as in the whole world. The significant increase of online purchases has resulted in a large number of returns, and it has become a challenge for companies to manage them.  Purpose: The purpose of our study is to identify which strategies and digital solutions home furnishing e-retailers can implement to streamline return logistics and manage its challenges.  Method: In order to fulfill the purpose and answer the research question, our study is based on a qualitative method and an abductive approach. We have done a literature review and conducted a case study and semi-structured interviews.  Conclusion: Our conclusion is that several factors are critical when considering strategies in reverse logistics. The company must understand its customers and the problems they experience during the return process. Which strategies a company should implement also depends on how far in the development of return logistics they have come and whether they have previously focused on it. After that, they can apply other strategies depending on the need at the time.

This thesis explores the challenges and opportunities of reusing construction and demolition waste within Sweden's construction sector, employing a PEST-SWOT analytical framework. The focus is on three primary materials prevalent in residential single-family houses: brick, concrete, and timber. The study identifies key political, economic, social, and technological factors that influence material reuse practices. The analysis highlights substantial barriers including regulatory complexities, lack of incentives, and the tendency to often prioritize new over reused materials due to perceived risks and higher costs associated with reuse. Despite these challenges, the research identifies significant opportunities for advancing material reuse. These include the potential for implementation of technological advancements in material processing, and growing public and governmental support for sustainable construction practices. The thesis goes forward by proposing strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing the adoption of reuse practices, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient construction sector in Sweden. / Demand trust for circular building materials

Globally, the rising extraction of raw materials results in substantial resource depletion. The global circularity rate declines yearly as goods manufacturing consumes energy, fossil fuels, and primary materials. In the EU, about 11 million tonnes of furniture are discarded annually, and most end up in landfills. Sweden discards about 330.000 tonnes of office furniture each year. Sharing and reusing with Circular Economy (CE) strategies can possibly reduce environmental impact, yet challenges may arise from extra measures and expectancies when sharing. There are few studies that assess CE strategies in the use phase and environmental impacts of furniture. For the evaluation of CE strategies and a product's potential environmental impact and comparing user scenarios, this study used a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The goal is to explore under what circumstances height adjustable desks (desks) in four user scenarios (baseline scenario and three scenarios with adopted CE strategies for closing, slowing, and narrowing the material loops) are the most beneficial for the environment. The evaluation is conducted by analysing the scenario’s potential impact (i.e., midpoint categories GWP, HNCT and MRS). The results show that the manufacturing of the desk frame has a significant impact in the midpoint categories GWP and MRS, and the manufacturing of the motor in the midpoint category HNCT, in all four scenarios. The rental scenario, with high utilisation (80%) due to flexibility, has the lowest potential impact, compared to the three other scenarios with 40% utilisation. Two sensitivity analyses were conducted, which showed that the utilisation rate and lifespan of parts (due to aesthetic expectations) is crucial for what scenario that has the best outcome. Rental and reuse have a lower impact compared to recycling and baseline. The circumstances of high utilisation rate and flexibility benefitted the rental scenario. Product design strategies such as modular, easy repair and maintenance, and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) keeping ownership or agreeing with the user are critical for substituting parts in the reuse and rental scenarios. This study shows that renting office desks is the best option, compared to the other scenarios, as long as utilisation is over 54% and high user expectations do not demand new desktops every 5th year.