Does circular economy knowledge matter in sustainable service provision? A moderation analysis

Research has shown that achieving sustainable advantage requires building organisational competencies and dynamic capabilities. It has therefore become imperative to extend the understanding of service research by exploring the antecedents of sustainable services. Drawing on organisational-level variables, this study examines the effects of institutional factors (IF), contextual factors (CF), and strategic factors (SF) on the adoption of circular economy (CE) within service organisations and their impact on sustainable service provision. The paper further examines how circular economy knowledge moderates the impact of organisational factors on CE practice adoption. Using 'Ghana's service sector as a case study, 493 top-management employees from 267 service organisations were surveyed using simple random sampling. The study found that organisational factors lay the foundation for CE practice adoption, and CE knowledge enhances the relationship. Additionally, CE adoption contributes to sustainable service provision via three channels: (1) service longevity, (2) service sharing, and (3) service ownership. The results confirm CE indicators are relevant for predicting sustainable service outcomes and shed light on managerial implications

Towards a circular economy: Implications for emission reduction and environmental sustainability

Governments and policymakers worldwide have been setting targets to achieve an ambitious net-zero emission target by 2050 to tackle the pressing issue of climate change. However, achieving the net-zero emission target by 2050 depends on the factors determining the transition from traditional fossil fuel energy sources to renewables. In connection with this, policymakers have emphasised the need to transition from a linear to a circular economy. In this paper, we investigate the effectiveness of the progress towards a circular economy in reducing CO2 emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. To do so, we use annual historical data for a panel of 29 European countries from 2000 to 2020. Using an identification strategy that adopts heteroscedastic-based instrumental variables and addresses endogeneity issues, we find that progress towards a circular economy significantly improves environmental quality via reducing CO2 emissions. Our findings suggest that business strategies promoting recycling and circular economy practices play an important role in environmental sustainability by reducing emissions

Assessing regional digital competence: Digital futures and strategic planning implications

Understanding strategic decisions aimed at addressing regional economic issues is of increasing interest among scholars and policy makers today. Thus, studies that proffer effective strategies to address digital futures concerns from social and policy perspectives are timely. In light of this, this research uses strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis tool to frame a regional strategy for digital futures to enhance place-specific digital connectivity and socio-economic progress. Focus group discussions and a structured questionnaire were conducted to examine a SWOT for a digital economy strategy in the Southern Downs Region in Queensland, Australia. The findings show that while the proposed regional strategies for digital futures are susceptible to internal and external forces, strategic planning makes them manageable. The study’s findings also reveal that adaptive strategic planning can help regulate the effects of internal and external factors that shape individual and organisational responses to digital transformation, and that these factors promote regional competitiveness

Theoretical and Practical Motives for Participation Obstacles in Resettlement Programs. Review from the Mining Perspective

Studies on the rationale for effective involvement of affected population in resettlement programs have increased significantly in recent years. Yet, practical aspects of handling participation challenges remain under researched. This paper assesses the effectiveness of livelihood-promoting interventions in mining-induced resettlement programs using case evidences from the literature. The paper first reviews the historical background of the concept and other ideas that have come to brand the practice over time. It further justifies the discussion in the context of the mining industry. Thirdly, the paper adopts the concept of territorial governance to provide a theoretical base for the focus of the paper. After the theoretical justification, the paper reviews case evidences in context of engagement prospects and challenges in resettlement programs. Finally, the paper makes suggestions that have policy implications to help better the current resettlement practices.The paper observes that until participation challenges are overcome by resettlement practitioners,mining-induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR) programs cannot revitalise the livelihoods of the affected population as envisioned in resettlement guidelines. JEL Classification: M14, H7, D21, Keywords: Resettlement Programs, Mining Induced Displacement and Resettlement, Stakeholder Participation, participation challenge

Application of the rural web framework within the context of sustainable development: A systematic literature review

In recent years, sustainability concerns have gained increasing attention among countries and stakeholders worldwide. Towards the transition to sustainable rural development, the rural web framework (RWF) has become a consistent tool. Indicators from the RWF have been used to explore sustainable rural development for decision-making tasks, which improves the social, economic, and environmental performance of rural regions. However, the application of the RWF in studies is on the decline. Furthermore, there is a lack of literature reviews on the importance of the RWF and its relationship with different facets of sustainable development. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) (a) to explore how studies have used the RWF in the context of sustainable development and (b) to identify areas for further research. This study found that the RWF has mostly been used in developed countries, with fewer applications in developing countries. We suggest that there should be increased application of the RWF, particularly in developing countries, to broaden the rural web–sustainable development discourse and its relevance. This paper presents several areas where the indicators of the RWF can be applied to illustrate their relevance for policy decisions towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs)

Theoretical and practical motives for participation obstacles in resettlement programs: Review from the mining perspective

Studies on the rationale for effective involvement of affected population in resettlement programs have increased significantly in recent years. Yet, practical aspects of handling participation challenges remain under researched. This paper assesses the effectiveness of livelihood-promoting interventions in mining-induced resettlement programs using case evidences from the literature. The paper first reviews the historical background of the concept and other ideas that have come to brand the practice over time. It further justifies the discussion in the context of the mining industry. Thirdly, the paper adopts the concept of territorial governance to provide a theoretical base for the focus of the paper. After the theoretical justification, the paper reviews case evidences in context of engagement prospects and challenges in resettlement programs. Finally, the paper makes suggestions that have policy implications to help better the current resettlement practices.The paper observes that until participation challenges are overcome by resettlement practitioners, mining-induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR) programs cannot revitalise the livelihoods of the affected population as envisioned in resettlement guidelines

Corporate minerals and community development dilemma in the Surat Resource Region, Australia: implications for resource development planning

While the idea that agricultural farmlands and natural resources exploration can co-exist is rhetorically sound, emerged and rising realities question this claim. Past studies, particularly ones taking a corporate–community relation stance, have largely explored these emerging realities. This paper contributes analternate perspective to the debate by presenting a procedural viewpoint on the subject in the light of empirical highlights. The Surat Resource Region in Queensland, Australia, which is noted for its rich agricultural farmlands and natural resources endowment, is considered an appropriate case region for the study. Both quantitative and qualitative empirical findings show that empowerment, cultural adhocracy, and value-led partnership are the missing procedural elements that need to be enforced and incorporated into resource development planning strategies. The study offers a strategy framework for integrative resource development planning research, whose policy and practical application are promising. Study findings aim to increase the robustness of resource development strategies through enhanced understanding of the planning and management processes

Towards understanding the digital divide in rural partnerships and development: a framework and evidence from rural Australia

Despite increasing recognition that the world's social and environmental problems cannot be addressed solely by business, government or society in isolation, the role of partnerships in rural development has only recently started to attract the interest of rural studies scholars. The study adds to the growing stream of research by investigating how the information age's emerging social challenge e the digital divide e influences rural partnerships and development. Burgeoning literature evidences that the digital divide encompasses not one but many discontinuities. This paper reconceptualises the digital divide concept and explores exactly how its shocks and tensions impact rural partnerships and development. Results of this research indicate that the digital divide is a threat to the performance of rural partnerships, which consequently renders rural development outcomes unsustainable, lopsided and non-participatory. This paper recommends the need for a more responsive and localised approach to rural development partnerships that can enable disadvantaged groups to participate in today's digitally connected economy and society

Assessing stakeholders' salience transition effects on social practices in the resources industry in the Surat Basin, Queensland - empirical analysis

Amidst the increased number of socio-ethical scandals that have hit the resource industry and created irreversible socio-economic and environmental damages, there is growing recognition for sustainable working models primarily focused on recoupling economic successes with social progress. Keeping in perspective the complexity of planning such a socio-economic system, the fundamental purpose of this research is to provide sufficient clarity on how stakeholder groups can acquire missing salience status, and the extent of salience effects on outcomes of social practices like partnership performance, stakeholder orientation strategies and CSR practices. Following the aim of this study, this study follows the publication-based PhD thesis approach in its presentations of study outcomes. The research deals with five research questions (RQs), three key objectives, and eight research outputs (papers), which focus on salience transition effects on corporate social practices under consideration. The Surat Resource Region in Queensland, Australia, is the case study for the research. With regards to the research questions of this study, a mixed method approach which involved both qualitative and quantitative data collection (e.g. interviews, FGDs and surveys); deduction and induction reasoning; confirmation and discovery; theory/hypothesis testing and theory/ hypothesis generation; statistical analysis and thematic analysis; and explanation and exploration, were considerably used. The findings of this research demonstrated that there is a positive relationship between stakeholder salience transition and corporate social practices outcomes. The study findings indicate three broad outcomes. Firstly, the salience transition effect can help restructure decision-making process within partnership systems, such that the process tends to be more articulating than imposing of corporate values. Secondly, with regards to corporate stakeholder orientation strategies, findings showed that the educational status of a stakeholder, one key underlying salience factor, is critical in determining whether a stakeholder will embrace or oppose a social practice of the firm. Thus, the need for awareness programs to be incorporated into social policies. Thirdly, it became evident that salience transition of a stakeholder does influence firms’ attitudes towards CSR practices. Findings showed that the role played by salient stakeholders within the vicinity of the firm encourages more robust managerial skills among managers in handling their social roles in society. Findings from this study generate theoretical and policy implications, which aims to add to the stream of knowledge in the field of CSR, stakeholder and the partnership literature, as well as making suggestions and recommendations for resource policy planning future studies. Also, findings can practically impact corporate behaviour and strategies in resource development processes