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A Framework to Assess Social Indicators in a Circular Economy Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Augusto Bianchini

    (Department of Industrial Engineering DIN, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

  • Patricia Guarnieri

    (Faculty of Economics, Business, Accounting and Public Policies, University of Brasília—UnB, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil)

  • Jessica Rossi

    (Department of Industrial Engineering DIN, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

The thriving circular economy is expected to contribute to all three dimensions of sustainable development: environmental, economic, and social. This paper aims to propose a framework to assess social indicators to support circular business models. To validate the framework, we conducted a case study in a medium-size Italian footwear luxury industry, using the Value Focused Thinking–VFT. This approach was used to define proper social indicators to measure the perception of the company’s managers related to the level of incorporation of social dilemmas in the company. We collect data through interviews, documental analysis and direct observation from October/2019 until August/2020 and apply a questionnaire in 2020/2021. The novelty of this paper lies in the proposition of a framework to assess the social indicators in broad categories, capable of covering all supply chains: Corporation, Community; Consumers; Suppliers; Human Rights and Human Resources. Another novelty is related to the analysis of indicators in terms of strategic, tactical, and operational levels, similarly to the idea of a Balanced Scorecard, which was allowed by applying the VFT approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Augusto Bianchini & Patricia Guarnieri & Jessica Rossi, 2022. "A Framework to Assess Social Indicators in a Circular Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7970-:d:852231
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Augusto Bianchini & Jessica Rossi & Marco Pellegrini, 2019. "Overcoming the Main Barriers of Circular Economy Implementation through a New Visualization Tool for Circular Business Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-33, November.
    2. Sirish Kumar Gouda & Haritha Saranga, 2018. "Sustainable supply chains for supply chain sustainability: impact of sustainability efforts on supply chain risk," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(17), pages 5820-5835, September.
    3. Alan Murray & Keith Skene & Kathryn Haynes, 2017. "The Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Concept and Application in a Global Context," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 140(3), pages 369-380, February.
    4. Annachiara Longoni & Raffaella Cagliano, 2018. "Sustainable Innovativeness and the Triple Bottom Line: The Role of Organizational Time Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 151(4), pages 1097-1120, September.
    5. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    6. Mateusz Lewandowski, 2016. "Designing the Business Models for Circular Economy—Towards the Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-28, January.
    7. Korhonen, Jouni & Honkasalo, Antero & Seppälä, Jyri, 2018. "Circular Economy: The Concept and its Limitations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 37-46.
    8. Badri Ahmadi, Hadi & Kusi-Sarpong, Simonov & Rezaei, Jafar, 2017. "Assessing the social sustainability of supply chains using Best Worst Method," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 99-106.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Rubee Singh & Shahbaz Khan & Piera Centobelli, 2022. "Investigating the Interplay between Social Performance and Organisational Factors Supporting Circular Economy Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.

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