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Towards Circular Economy: Unveiling Heterogeneous Effects of Government Policy Stringency, Environmentally Related Innovation, and Human Capital within OECD Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Emmanuel Ebo Arthur

    (Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, 53210 Pardubice, Czech Republic)

  • Solomon Gyamfi

    (Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, 53210 Pardubice, Czech Republic)

  • Wolfgang Gerstlberger

    (School of Business and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology, 12616 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Jan Stejskal

    (Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, 53210 Pardubice, Czech Republic)

  • Viktor Prokop

    (Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, 53210 Pardubice, Czech Republic)

Abstract

With reference to the existing literature, this paper investigates the heterogenous effect on the attainment of circular economy by government policies in the form of government stringency and government financial support, environmentally related innovations, and human capital. The study was carried out in 26 countries of the OECD from 2010–2019 using the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood (PPML) model and data from Eurostat and OECD datasets. Indicators for the independent variables were non-market-based stringency, market-based subsidy, gross domestic expenditure on R&D by source of funds, R&D expenditure intramural, national expenditure on environmental protection environmental protection, environmentally related patents with co-inventors, and employees involved in education and training. The results revealed that a significant effect of government stringency in the form of non-market-based stringency, environmental innovation, government financing on R&D, and national expenditure on environmental protection have significant impact on the attainment of circular economy within OECD countries. Surprisingly, there was no significant effect of the market-based subsidy on domestic material consumption (dmc). We conclude that a blend of government policies is the effective means of achieving a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel Ebo Arthur & Solomon Gyamfi & Wolfgang Gerstlberger & Jan Stejskal & Viktor Prokop, 2023. "Towards Circular Economy: Unveiling Heterogeneous Effects of Government Policy Stringency, Environmentally Related Innovation, and Human Capital within OECD Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:6:p:4959-:d:1093783
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shanshan Li & Zhengjun Hu, 2024. "The Impact of the Circular Economy Pilot Policy on Carbon Emissions in Chinese Cities and Its Underlying Mechanisms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-25, September.
    2. Renuka Nagpal & Daksh Rana & Nuaim Bashir Mir & Aditya Dwivedi & Deepti Mehrotra, 2024. "Predicting the future trends for circular economy," International Journal of System Assurance Engineering and Management, Springer;The Society for Reliability, Engineering Quality and Operations Management (SREQOM),India, and Division of Operation and Maintenance, Lulea University of Technology, Sweden, vol. 15(10), pages 4905-4922, October.
    3. Cristina Galvão Ascenço & Rui Ferreira Santos, 2025. "Unpacking Policy Determinants for Circular Business Models: An Updated Comprehensive Review and an Actionable Analytical Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Chitralada Chaiya & Pichate Pinthong, 2024. "Integrating Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors for a Sustainable Circular Economy in Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-34, December.
    5. Carina Pasqualotto & Daniela Callegaro-De-Menezes & Cornelius Stephanus Lodewyk Schutte, 2023. "An Overview and Categorization of the Drivers and Barriers to the Adoption of the Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-24, July.

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