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Implementation of Circular Economy Technologies: An Empirical Study of Slovak and Slovenian Manufacturing Companies

Author

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  • Juraj Šebo

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Letná 9, 04200 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Miriam Šebová

    (Faculty of Economics, Technical University of Košice, Letná 9, 04200 Košice, Slovakia)

  • Iztok Palčič

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

Abstract

Circular Economy (CE) practices and technologies are essential for increasing sustainability performance in manufacturing. Due to the increasing number of environmental regulations and growing public awareness of environmental issues, especially in the EU, CE is increasingly seen as a valuable factor in improving competitiveness. Therefore, there is a need for a fuller understanding of the ways in which CE technologies can be implemented into the manufacturing industries. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the identification of the characteristics of manufacturing companies and their perceptions of the barriers to the adoption of CE technologies. This survey-based study of 241 manufacturing companies (comprising a sub-sample of Slovak and Slovenian companies from the more extensive European Manufacturing Survey) uses a series of statistical tests to examine the implementation of three CE technologies. The results show that there is significant relationship between the adoption of CE technologies in manufacturing companies and their size, location, R&D activities, company age and product batch size. Finally, the research reveals the surprising finding that there is no apparent link between the perception of CE barriers and the plans of companies to implement selected CE technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Juraj Šebo & Miriam Šebová & Iztok Palčič, 2021. "Implementation of Circular Economy Technologies: An Empirical Study of Slovak and Slovenian Manufacturing Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12518-:d:678017
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    2. Khan, Khalid & Su, Chi Wei & Rehman, Ashfaq U. & Ullah, Rahman, 2022. "Is technological innovation a driver of renewable energy?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).

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