Is business research shaping the circle? systematic and bibliometric review of circular economy research

A circular economy (CE) transforms the linear system into a resource flow model based on reusing products and materials and increasing lifetime periods. This academic work aims to review the current CE research status from business, economic, and managerial (BEM) research perspectives. We carried out a systematic and bibliometric analysis to gather information on the current state of the art applications and learn about the leading research topics and sources. To reach these goals, we reviewed 962 research papers published in journals indexed on the Web of Science. After analysing the articles, three categories emerged worldwide: literature reviews, case studies, and frameworks and guidelines based on the current closed-loop system approach. Results evidence that BEM research in the CE is focused on the existing barriers to adopting a CE. More concretely, findings show that CEs are being slowed by the fact that citizens and companies do not know how to be circular. At the same time, the article showcases how the BEM areas and the recurring topics in CE research are increasingly being developed by collaborations between engineers and economists to design and create robust and measurable closed-loop models. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Sustainability reporting in view of the European sustainable finance taxonomy: Is the financial sector ready to disclose circular economy?

The European sustainable finance taxonomy requires financial and nonfinancial companies to provide investors with information about the environmental performance of their assets and economic activities. For financial institutions, making socially and environmentally responsible investments visible through a common label that guarantees specific standards for the entire European Union is crucial. Against this background, this study analyzes the evolution of sustainability reporting practices and their assurance in a sample of European financial institutions. To this end, we used a double qualitative methodological approach, based on (a) an external analysis of nonfinancial information and its relationship with the main economic-financial variables of the sample companies, and (b) a case study of a bank carried out through semi-structured interviews. This study provides an external measurement analysis of nonfinancial information in entities from different countries, which can contribute to broadening the scope and level of sustainability and circular economy accountability

Prolactin gene (C576A) polymorphism is associated with milk production performance in crossbred Anglo-Nubian dairy goats

Crossbred Anglo-Nubian goats (Anglo-Nubian × native goat breeds), are valued for exceptional milk production and adaptability. In-depth research on these goats is imperative to propel advancements in dairy goat breeds and enhance milk production efficiency within the region. The present study aims to assess polymorphism in prolactin (C576A) gene and determine the influence of different prolactin (PRL) genotypes to milk yield performance in crossbred Anglo-Nubian dairy goats raised from Awang, Opol, Misamis Oriental and Talay, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. Genomic DNA was extracted from hair follicles using commercial DNA extraction kit and PCR-RFLP was performed for the genotyping of the C576A polymorphism located in exon 5 of goats’ prolactin gene using Eco241 restriction enzyme. Genotypic frequencies of 0.56 for AA, 0.44 for AB, while allelic frequencies of 0.78 for A, and 0.22 for B were recorded. All populations followed the Hardy–Weinberg principle, except for dairy goats from Farm A located in Opol, Misamis Oriental. A two-way factorial (2 × 4) in a Randomized Complete Block Design was used to evaluate the relationship between genotypes and milk yield performance. AB genotype goats produced significantly higher milk yield traits (average daily milk yield and total milk production) than AA genotype, an indication that the polymorphism in the caprine PRL (C576A) gene influenced milk yield performance in the population of studied crossbred Anglo-Nubian goats. These results have to be validated in other dairy goat breeds

Determination of aflatoxins in cacao powder and cocoa-derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography

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How do firms comply with international sustainability standards? Processes and consequences of adopting the global reporting initiative

This paper addresses the issue of the influence of global governance institutions, particularly international sustainability standards, on a firm’s intra-organizational practices. More precisely, we provide an exploratory empirical view of the impact of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) on a multinational corporation’s (MNC) corporate social responsibility (CSR) management practices. We investigate standard compliance by comparing the stated intention of the use of the GRI with its actual use and the consequent effects within the firm. Based on an in-depth case study, our findings illustrate the processes and consequences of the translation of the GRI within the organization. We show that substantive standard adoption can lead to unintended consequences on CSR management practices, specifically it can influence the management structure and CSR committee function; the choice of CSR activities, the relationships between subsidiaries, the temporal dimension of CSR management, and the interpretation of CSR performance. We also highlight the need to look at the relationship dynamics (or lack of) between standards. Finally we illustrate and discuss the role of reporting and its influence on management in order to better understand the internal issues arising from compliance with standards

Qualitative and Quantitative Characterization of Some Common Bivalves: Polymesoda bengalensis, Codakia tigerina and Anodontia edentula

For more than a hundred years the morphology of bivalves was an object of research. The best way to explore bivalve morphology is on the shell. The shell provides a wide array of variability and is important for the effective culture of these organisms. In this study, the right and left valve interiors of the three species belonging to the family Cyrenidae (Polymesoda bengalensis) and Lucinidae (Codakia tigerina and Anodontia edentula) were explored for phenotypic variations using Geometric Morphometrics (GM) tools coupled with Canonical Variance Analysis (CVA), Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), Relative Warp Analysis (RWA), and Kruskal-Wallis test. Ten (10) anatomical landmark tests were performed -covering the visible morphological characteristics of the internal shell. The analyses showed that the formation of the hinge plate, distance of the pallial line, and the orientation of the muscle scar are significantly different. These features are usually affected by habits and habitats of the particular species. Hence, these characters are better suited for functional morphological analysis and should be incorporated when studying intrapopulation and interpopulation variation

Measurement of the circular economy in businesses: Impact and implications for regional policies

Currently, numerous governments and international organisations are promoting the implementation of the circular economy - both within the EU and in other regions - as an alternative to lineal models, and in search of a compromise between competitiveness and the sustainable exploitation of resources. The implementation of a circular business model is closely tied to the territory within which firms operate. As a result, firms are highly sensitive to the existence of favourable conditions at the regional level, which can greatly accelerate the transition towards circular models and regions play a relevant role in the adoption of the circular economy principles by the private sector. Similarly, the adoption of models based on circular economy principles at the micro level has an effect on macro indicators at the regional level, especially concerning the flow of raw materials and other resources, and this contributes to ensuring that quality standards and resource availability are maintained throughout the value chain. The effects of the adoption of these models on a territory can be measured in terms of volume of transactions, generation of jobs and consumption of raw materials. In this context, this study aims to contribute to the measurement of the activities related to the circular economy that have been implemented at regional level by business. This allows us to improve the knowledge of the socioeconomic impact of the circular economy, and offer an empirical approach for the development of specific regional policies to improve the circular economy in businesses

Synthesis and properties of chiral fluorescent helicene-BODIPY conjugates

A series of chiral fluorescent helicene-BODIPY conjugates was prepared by the regioselective formylation of aza[4]helicene precursors and then an efficient one-pot two-step BODIPY synthesis (13 examples, 28-82%). Fused conjugates exhibit absorption and fluorescence properties (ΦF30-45%) in the red visible domain, and a CPL signature could be measured at 605 nm (glum±5 × 10−4). Photophysical and electronic properties were investigated and rationalized through first principles