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Scientific Article details

Title Knowledge obstacles when transitioning towards circular economy: an industrial intra-organisational perspective
ID_Doc 3013
Authors Nujen, BB; Kvadsheim, NP; Mwesiumo, D; Reke, E; Powell, D
Title Knowledge obstacles when transitioning towards circular economy: an industrial intra-organisational perspective
Year 2023
Published International Journal Of Production Research, 61, 24
DOI 10.1080/00207543.2022.2158243
Abstract Circular economy (CE) is necessary for achieving sustainability goals. Nonetheless, the distillation of CE practices into business operations has been unsatisfactory as firms struggle to transition to CE. There is an increase in studies that have attempted to identify challenges impeding the implementation of CE practices. However, most of these studies focus on technical and external aspects affecting CE, leaving intra-organisational aspects such as organisational learning and knowledge largely unexplored. The latter aspects can play a significant role in CE transitions, and thus warrants further research. To address this research gap, this study draws on lean thinking as an organisational learning system and accentuates knowledge obstacles, seen as wastes, that can stifle a transition to CE. Subsequently, it deploys action-learning research, involving collaboration between researchers and the participants in the action to generate actionable knowledge. The analysis of the findings is used to develop a novel framework including six measures that can be implemented to counteract knowledge obstacles and lay a foundation for a CE transition. The proposed framework can be the basis for further research on lean and intra-organisational aspects that can help firms restructure the current linear mode of production, and thus accelerate a smooth CE transition.
Author Keywords Circular economy transition; lean thinking; organisational learning; knowledge; action learning research
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000906966200001
WoS Category Engineering, Industrial; Engineering, Manufacturing; Operations Research & Management Science
Research Area Engineering; Operations Research & Management Science
PDF https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2022.2158243
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