IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/vrs/poicbe/v18y2024i1p754-769n1007.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the Evolution of Sustainability Paradigms: From Linear to Circular Economy Models

Author

Listed:
  • Dabija Dadiana

    (Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania)

  • Năstase Carmen

    (Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Suceava, Romania)

Abstract

As a response to the urgent environmental degradation and depletion of resources, this article analyzes the historical evolution from linear to circular economy models as a response for achieving sustainability. Tracing back to sustainable forest use proposed in 17th-century and evolving towards modern circular economy principles, there is a paradigm shift of decoupling economic growth from resource consumption. Moving through the landscape of sustainability, the paper criticizes the linear economy model that originated during industrialization period and was incapable of addressing sustainability. Key milestones, such as sustainable development, closed-loop-systems, and biomimicry, demonstrate the journey to current business models. An extensive literature review proves the interdisciplinary importance of circular economy research, exploring domains such as Sustainability Science, Management, and Bioengineering. The present research combines bibliometric analysis and systematic review on articles published between 2000 and 2023. These methods were chosen to assess the main directions of research for development of circular economy models, and recent trends. Research is centered around dynamics and trajectory of scholarly outputs on the topic, mainly those published in the past five years. A sharp rise in the number of publications regarding circular economy models is found, characterized by three notable inflections in 2017, 2018 and 2021. Two pivotal articles emerge as influential contributions. The interdisciplinary landscape of circular economy research is observed, covering diverse research areas such as Supply Chain and Logistics, Bioengineering, or Social Psychology. The cooccurrence analysis reveals 6 thematic clusters for which we propose a conceptual framework. The clusters are: environmental impact, sustainable development, interdisciplinary connections (niche sciences), circular supply chain, climate change, and IT-centric approaches that have emerged in research in the past five years. Insights from recent trends provide valuable guidance to researchers, professionals, and policymakers by using an interdisciplinary lens in the transition to a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Dabija Dadiana & Năstase Carmen, 2024. "Exploring the Evolution of Sustainability Paradigms: From Linear to Circular Economy Models," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 18(1), pages 754-769.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:poicbe:v:18:y:2024:i:1:p:754-769:n:1007
    DOI: 10.2478/picbe-2024-0066
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.2478/picbe-2024-0066
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.2478/picbe-2024-0066?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. ., 2022. "Consumer demand and producer responses," Chapters, in: Rethinking Agricultural and Food Policy, chapter 3, pages 42-61, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. Walter R. Stahel, 2010. "Sustainability and the Performance Economy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: The Performance Economy, edition 2, chapter 4, pages 269-287, Palgrave Macmillan.
    3. Nadia Preghenella & Cinzia Battistella, 2021. "Exploring business models for sustainability: A bibliographic investigation of the literature and future research directions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 2505-2522, July.
    4. Louise Laumann Kjaer & Daniela C. A. Pigosso & Monia Niero & Nynne Marie Bech & Tim C. McAloone, 2019. "Product/Service‐Systems for a Circular Economy: The Route to Decoupling Economic Growth from Resource Consumption?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(1), pages 22-35, February.
    5. Iván González-Márquez & Víctor M. Toledo, 2020. "Sustainability Science: A Paradigm in Crisis?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Romulus Iagăru & Anca Șipoș & Pompilica Iagăru, 2023. "Strategic Thinking and Its Role in Accelerating the Transition from the Linear to the Circular Economic Model—Case Study of the Agri-Food Sector in the Sibiu Depression Microregion, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-14, February.
    7. 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.
    8. Elisa Chioatto & Paolo Sospiro, 2023. "Transition from waste management to circular economy: the European Union roadmap," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 249-276, January.
    9. Liliana Topliceanu & Petru Gabriel Puiu & Catalin Drob & Vlad Vasile Topliceanu, 2022. "Analysis Regarding the Implementation of the Circular Economy in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-32, December.
    10. Walter R. Stahel, 2010. "The Performance Economy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, edition 2, number 978-0-230-27490-7, December.
    11. Piero Morseletto, 2020. "Restorative and regenerative: Exploring the concepts in the circular economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(4), pages 763-773, August.
    12. Walter R. Stahel, 2010. "The Performance Economy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, edition 0, number 978-0-230-28884-3, December.
    13. Chiappetta Jabbour, Charbel Jose & De Camargo Fiorini, Paula & Wong, Christina W.Y. & Jugend, Daniel & Lopes De Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Roman Pais Seles, Bruno Michel & Paula Pinheiro, Marco Anto, 2020. "First-mover firms in the transition towards the sharing economy in metallic natural resource-intensive industries: Implications for the circular economy and emerging industry 4.0 technologies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    14. Walter R. Stahel, 2010. "Sustainability and the Performance Economy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: The Performance Economy, edition 0, chapter 4, pages 269-287, Palgrave Macmillan.
    15. D'Amato, D. & Korhonen, J., 2021. "Integrating the green economy, circular economy and bioeconomy in a strategic sustainability framework," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    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. Vivian S. C. Tunn & Ellis A. Van den Hende & Nancy M. P. Bocken & Jan P. L. Schoormans, 2021. "Consumer adoption of access‐based product‐service systems: The influence of duration of use and type of product," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(6), pages 2796-2813, September.
    2. Caroline Samberger & Sanaz Imen & Katerina Messologitis & Arthur Umble & Joseph G. Jacangelo, 2024. "Assessing circularity of wastewater treatment systems: A critical review of indicators," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(2), pages 262-276, April.
    3. Cristina Sousa Rocha & Paula Antunes & Paulo Partidário, 2023. "Design for Circular Economy in a Strong Sustainability Paradigm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-30, December.
    4. Doussoulin, Jean Pierre & Bittencourt, Mariana, 2022. "How effective is the construction sector in promoting the circular economy in Brazil and France? : A waste input-output analysis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 47-58.
    5. Erik G. Hansen & Ferdinand Revellio, 2020. "Circular value creation architectures: Make, ally, buy, or laissez‐faire," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(6), pages 1250-1273, December.
    6. Alexandra Jurgilevich & Traci Birge & Johanna Kentala-Lehtonen & Kaisa Korhonen-Kurki & Janna Pietikäinen & Laura Saikku & Hanna Schösler, 2016. "Transition towards Circular Economy in the Food System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-14, January.
    7. Miha Dominko & Kaja Primc & Renata Slabe-Erker & Barbara Kalar, 2023. "A bibliometric analysis of circular economy in the fields of business and economics: towards more action-oriented research," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(7), pages 5797-5830, July.
    8. Zhou, Zheng & Chau, Ka Yin & Sibghatullah, Amena & Moslehpour, Massoud & Tien, Nguyen Hoang & Nizomjon Shukurullaevich, Khajimuratov, 2024. "The role of green finance, environmental benefits, fintech development, and natural resource management in advancing sustainability," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    9. Carlos Scheel & Eduardo Aguiñaga & Bernardo Bello, 2020. "Decoupling Economic Development from the Consumption of Finite Resources Using Circular Economy. A Model for Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, February.
    10. Kasun Gomis & Ravindu Kahandawa & Ruchini Senarath Jayasinghe, 2022. "Scientometric Analysis of the Global Scientific Literature on Circularity Indicators in the Construction and Built Environment Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.
    11. Hondroyiannis, G. & Sardianou, E. & Nikou, V. & Evangelinos, K. & Nikolaou, I., 2024. "Circular economy and macroeconomic performance: Evidence across 28 European countries," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    12. Beauson, J. & Laurent, A. & Rudolph, D.P. & Pagh Jensen, J., 2022. "The complex end-of-life of wind turbine blades: A review of the European context," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    13. Leone, Daniele & Cristina Pietronudo, Maria & Gabteni, Heger & Rosaria Carli, Maria, 2023. "Reward-based crowdfunding for building a valuable circular business model," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    14. Kristoffersen, Eivind & Mikalef, Patrick & Blomsma, Fenna & Li, Jingyue, 2021. "Towards a business analytics capability for the circular economy," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    15. Thobeka Pearl Makhathini & Joseph Kapuku Bwapwa & Sphesihle Mtsweni, 2023. "Various Options for Mining and Metallurgical Waste in the Circular Economy: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    16. Armaghan Chizaryfard & Paolo Trucco & Cali Nuur, 2021. "The transformation to a circular economy: framing an evolutionary view," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 31(2), pages 475-504, April.
    17. Ken Webster, 2021. "A Circular Economy Is About the Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 115-126, June.
    18. Arne Nygaard, 2023. "The Geopolitical Risk and Strategic Uncertainty of Green Growth after the Ukraine Invasion: How the Circular Economy Can Decrease the Market Power of and Resource Dependency on Critical Minerals," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 1099-1126, June.
    19. Langley, David J. & Rosca, Eugenia & Angelopoulos, Marios & Kamminga, Oscar & Hooijer, Christa, 2023. "Orchestrating a smart circular economy: Guiding principles for digital product passports," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    20. Do, Quynh & Ramudhin, Amar & Colicchia, Claudia & Creazza, Alessandro & Li, Dong, 2021. "A systematic review of research on food loss and waste prevention and management for the circular economy," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 239(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:vrs:poicbe:v:18:y:2024:i:1:p:754-769:n:1007. 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: Peter Golla (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.sciendo.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.