IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v16y2024i6p2355-d1355720.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Sustainability from Policy to Practice: Assessing the Impact of European Research and Innovation Frameworks on Circular Bioeconomy

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Sofia Brandão

    (Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
    Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal)

  • José M. R. C. A. Santos

    (Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
    Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal)

Abstract

Europe leads in shaping circular bioeconomy (CBE) policies for sustainability, relying on dynamic research and innovation (R&I) projects to propel the transition. Increased European R&I investment, fueled by commitment and a societal demand for measurable project returns, lacks a comprehensive evaluation. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the alignment of European-funded R&I projects with CBE policy priorities and assesses their societal impact. Rooted in an interpretive paradigm, it employs content analysis through semi-structured questionnaires to survey project leaders. The study evaluates benefits using the triple bottom line concept and interprets results guided by the theory of change. Our results suggest that European-funded R&I projects actively cultivate a supportive ecosystem for CBE adoption, as evidenced by emerging themes such as knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaborative learning, aligning closely with investment priorities and funding schemes. The societal impact focuses on the short and medium term, emphasizing the social dimension by committing to empowering individuals, fostering collaboration, and enriching knowledge. Long-term benefits primarily contribute to the economic dimension, highlighting the potential for positive impacts like promoting business growth, innovation, improving market efficiency, and fostering sustainability. This study seeks to enhance the impact of R&I projects and promote a paradigm shift towards sustainability by providing context-specific recommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Sofia Brandão & José M. R. C. A. Santos, 2024. "Sustainability from Policy to Practice: Assessing the Impact of European Research and Innovation Frameworks on Circular Bioeconomy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:6:p:2355-:d:1355720
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/6/2355/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/6/2355/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2020. "European environment policy for the circular economy: Implications for business and industry stakeholders," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(6), pages 1804-1812, November.
    2. Ferreira, Paula & Rocha, Ana & Araujo, Madalena & Afonso, Joao L. & Antunes, Carlos Henggeler & Lopes, Marta A.R. & Osório, Gerardo J. & Catalão, João P.S. & Lopes, João Peças, 2023. "Assessing the societal impact of smart grids: Outcomes of a collaborative research project," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    3. Klessova, Svetlana & Engell, Sebastian & Thomas, Catherine, 2022. "Assessment of the advancement of market-upstream innovations and of the performance of research and innovation projects," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    4. Han Zheng & L. G. Pee & Dan Zhang, 2021. "Societal impact of research: a text mining study of impact types," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(9), pages 7397-7417, September.
    5. Aaron Ahuvia, 2001. "Traditional, Interpretive, and Reception Based Content Analyses: Improving the Ability of Content Analysis to Address Issues of Pragmatic and Theoretical Concern," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 54(2), pages 139-172, May.
    6. Alam, Md. Samsul & Atif, Muhammad & Chien-Chi, Chu & Soytaş, Uğur, 2019. "Does corporate R&D investment affect firm environmental performance? Evidence from G-6 countries," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 401-411.
    7. Lutz Bornmann & Werner Marx, 2014. "How should the societal impact of research be generated and measured? A proposal for a simple and practicable approach to allow interdisciplinary comparisons," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 98(1), pages 211-219, January.
    8. Sarah Chapman & Adiilah Boodhoo & Carren Duffy & Suki Goodman & Maria Michalopoulou, 2023. "Theory of Change in Complex Research for Development Programmes: Challenges and Solutions from the Global Challenges Research Fund," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 35(2), pages 298-322, April.
    9. Steven Hill, 2016. "Assessing (for) impact: future assessment of the societal impact of research," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 2(1), pages 1-7, December.
    10. Júlia Wahrlich & Flávio José Simioni, 2019. "Industrial symbiosis in the forestry sector: A case study in southern Brazil," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(6), pages 1470-1482, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Dotti, Nicola Francesco & Walczyk, Julia, 2022. "What is the societal impact of university research? A policy-oriented review to map approaches, identify monitoring methods and success factors," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    2. Ferreira, Paula & Rocha, Ana & Araujo, Madalena & Afonso, Joao L. & Antunes, Carlos Henggeler & Lopes, Marta A.R. & Osório, Gerardo J. & Catalão, João P.S. & Lopes, João Peças, 2023. "Assessing the societal impact of smart grids: Outcomes of a collaborative research project," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    3. Rousseau, Sandra & Catalano, Giuseppe & Daraio, Cinzia, 2021. "Can we estimate a monetary value of scientific publications?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(1).
    4. Ke Liu & Yurong Qiao & Qian Zhou, 2021. "Analysis of China’s Industrial Green Development Efficiency and Driving Factors: Research Based on MGWR," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-22, April.
    5. Qaisar Ali & Sulistya Rusgianto & Shazia Parveen & Hakimah Yaacob & Razali Mat Zin, 2024. "An empirical study of the effects of green Sukuk spur on economic growth, social development, and financial performance in Indonesia," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(8), pages 21097-21123, August.
    6. Ana B. Cuevas & David E. Leiva-Candia & M. P. Dorado, 2024. "An Overview of Pyrolysis as Waste Treatment to Produce Eco-Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-32, June.
    7. Rafael Martínez-Peláez & Alberto Ochoa-Brust & Solange Rivera & Vanessa G. Félix & Rodolfo Ostos & Héctor Brito & Ramón A. Félix & Luis J. Mena, 2023. "Role of Digital Transformation for Achieving Sustainability: Mediated Role of Stakeholders, Key Capabilities, and Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-27, July.
    8. Li, Houjian & Tang, Mengqian & Cao, Andi & Guo, Lili, 2024. "How to reduce firm pollution discharges: Does political leaders' gender matter?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    9. Melinda Craike & Bojana Klepac & Amy Mowle & Therese Riley, 2023. "Theory of systems change: An initial, middle-range theory of public health research impact," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 32(3), pages 603-621.
    10. Natasja Steenkamp & Deryl Northcott, 2007. "Content Analysis in Accounting Research: the Practical Challenges," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 17(43), pages 12-25, November.
    11. María Josefina Peláez & Cristián Coo & Marisa Salanova, 2020. "Facilitating Work Engagement and Performance Through Strengths-Based Micro-coaching: A Controlled Trial Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1265-1284, April.
    12. repec:sae:envval:v:25:y:2016:i:2:p:195-214 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Zhang, Yijun & Li, Xiaoping & Song, Yi & Jiang, Feitao, 2021. "Can green industrial policy improve total factor productivity? Firm-level evidence from China," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 51-62.
    14. Hafize Nurgul Durmus Senyapar & Ramazan Bayindir, 2023. "The Research Agenda on Smart Grids: Foresights for Social Acceptance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-31, September.
    15. Zhice Cheng & Xinyuan Chen & Huwei Wen, 2022. "How Does Environmental Protection Tax Affect Corporate Environmental Investment? Evidence from Chinese Listed Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-22, March.
    16. Wen, KanKan & Alessa, Noha & Tawiah, Vincent, 2024. "The impact of Chinese investment on energy independence in Africa," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    17. Philip Krummeck & Yagmur Damla Dokur & Daniel Braun & Steffen Kiemel & Robert Miehe, 2022. "Designing Component Interfaces for the Circular Economy—A Case Study for Product-As-A-Service Business Models in the Automotive Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, October.
    18. Peng, Shengnan & Liu, Chan & Wang, Ze & Ye, Zihan & Sun, Xialing & Tan, Zhanglu, 2024. "The impact of the carbon reduction policy effectiveness on energy companies' ESG performance," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PB).
    19. Joanicjusz Nazarko & Ewa Chodakowska & Łukasz Nazarko, 2022. "Evaluating the Transition of the European Union Member States towards a Circular Economy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-24, May.
    20. Muneera Mohamed Hejres & Amanda J. Tinker, 2024. "Informing the Design of an Accessible Arabic Typeface: A Visual Analysis to Identify Letterform Features of Dyslexia-Friendly Typefaces," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-27, March.
    21. Reis, Germano Glufke & Villar, Eduardo Guedes & Prado Gimenez, Fernando Antonio & Maiolino Molento, Carla Forte & Ferri, Priscila, 2022. "The interplay of entrepreneurial ecosystems and global value chains: Insights from the cultivated meat entrepreneurial ecosystem of Singapore," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:6:p:2355-:d:1355720. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.