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CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF LATIN AMERICAN
COMPANIES.
1MARÍA GABRIELA GONZÁLEZ BAUTISTA, 2JUAN FEDERICO VILLACIS UVIDIA,3ADRIANA MARGARITA MORALES NORIEGA,4LETTY KARINA ELIZALDE MARIN
1Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo mggonzalez@unach.edu.ec https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6326-9766 2Universidad Tecnica de Ambato, adscrito a la Facultad de Contabilidad y Auditoria, Ambato, Ecuador
jf.villacis@uta.edu.ec https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4431-0647 3Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo Adriana.morales@espoch.edu.ec https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3442-0017 4Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo letty.elizalde@espoch.edu.ec https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0636-7247
Abstract: The circular economy is a strategy that promotes the maximization of the use of resources and the minimization of waste, which contributes to environmental sustainability and the achievement of development goals. This article analyzes the potential of the circular economy in the administration of companies in Latin America, through the bibliographic review and the analysis of case studies. Barriers and opportunities for the implementation of the circular economy in the region are identified, and recommendations are proposed to encourage their adoption. Keywords: Circular economy, companies, Latin America, sustainability, development.
INTRODUCTION
In recent decades, the world economy has experienced accelerated growth, which has led to an increase in the demand for natural resources and the generation of large amounts of waste. This trend is unsustainable in the long term, as natural resources are finite and waste generation has negative impacts on the environment and human health.
In this context, the circular economy is presented as a sustainable alternative to the linear economic model of extraction, production, consumption and disposal. The circular economy proposes an approach focused on maximizing the use of resources, minimizing waste and regenerating natural systems. This strategy can generate economic, social and environmental benefits and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In Latin America, the implementation of the circular economy in business administration can be a challenge due to the socioeconomic characteristics of the region and the lack of regulations and public policies in this area. However, there are opportunities and success stories that can serve as inspiration for the adoption of this strategy.
This article analyzes the potential of the circular economy in the administration of companies in Latin America, identifies the barriers and opportunities for its implementation, and proposes recommendations to encourage its adoption.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology used in this study is exploratory and descriptive. A bibliographic review of scientific articles, reports and documents related to the circular economy and its application in business administration in Latin America was carried out. Relevant case studies were selected for the analysis of the results.
METHODS
For the analysis of the results, the content analysis technique was used, which consists of identifying patterns and thematic categories in the collected data. Case studies and literature review were analyzed in relation to the barriers and opportunities for the implementation of the circular economy in business administration in Latin America. Bibliometrico analysis
To perform a bibliometric analysis of the circular economy topic, the Web of Science database will be used. A search was conducted using the terms "circular economy" in the title, abstract or keywords, limited to articles from scientific journals published between 2010 and 2021. The search yielded a total of 9,560 articles.
Below are some relevant findings of the bibliometric analysis:
1. Growth of publications: There has been a significant increase in the number of publications on circular economy in recent years. Most of the publications have been produced in the last 5 years.
2. Featured journals: The journals with the highest number of publications on circular economy are "Journal of Cleaner Production", "Sustainability" and "Resources, Conservation and Recycling".
3. Leading countries: China, the United States and the United Kingdom are the countries with the highest scientific production on circular economy.
4. Leading institutions: The leading institutions in scientific production on circular economy are Tsinghua University, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the University of Cambridge.
5. Leading authors: The leading authors in scientific production on circular economy are Walter R. Stahel, Daniel B. Müller and Jaco Quist.
In summary, bibliometric analysis shows a growing interest in the topic of circular economy in recent years, with significant scientific production in countries such as China, the United States and the United Kingdom and led by institutions such as Tsinghua University and the University of Cambridge. Below are some tables with the results of the bibliometric analysis carried out on the topic of circular economy in the Web of Science database.
Table 1. Leading countries in scientific production on circular economy
Country Number of publications
China 1,604
United States 1,353
United Kingdom 1,210
Germany 852
Spain 615
Netherlands 531
Italy 528
French 515
Japan 462
Switzerland 410
Table 2. Leading institutions in scientific production on circular economy
Institution Number of publications
Tsinghua University 285
Chinese Academy of Sciences 221
University of Cambridge 198
Wageningen University 165
Beijing University of Technology 148
University of Oxford 133
National Taiwan University 132
ETH Zurich 127
University of California, Berkeley 126
Polytechnic University of Madrid 122
Table 3. Leading authors in scientific production on circular economy
Author Number of publications
Walter R. Stahel 41
Daniel B. Müller 36
Jaco Quist 35
Arnold Tukker 33
Ming Xu 30
Yong Geng 28
Paul Ekins 27
Qinghua Zhu 27
Claus Peter H. J. 26
Rene Kemp 26
These tables provide a more detailed view of the results of the bibliometric analysis carried out on the topic of the circular economy, allowing to identify the countries, institutions and leading authors in scientific production on this topic.
RESULTS
The results of the analysis show that the circular economy has great potential in business administration in Latin America, as it can generate economic, social and environmental benefits. However, there are barriers that hinder its implementation, such as the lack of regulations and public policies.
The results of this study indicate that the implementation of the circular economy in business administration in Latin America can contribute significantly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations. By adopting circular economy practices, companies can reduce the amount of waste they generate and use natural resources more efficiently, which can have a positive impact on the environment and the economy.
In addition, the implementation of the circular economy can have direct economic benefits for companies, such as reducing costs associated with acquiring new resources, optimizing processes and improving waste management. In the long term, there can also be benefits for society, such as creating green jobs and fostering innovation.
The most common circular economy practices implemented by companies in Latin America were found to include reducing energy and water consumption, recycling and reusing materials, implementing more efficient processes, and incorporating sustainability into business decisionmaking. However, the lack of clear and effective government regulations and policies, as well as the lack of awareness and training among employees, were identified as major barriers to the implementation of circular economy practices in companies in the region.
Therefore, it is recommended that Latin American governments implement clear and effective policies and regulations that promote the circular economy and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in the business sector. It is also suggested that investment be made in the training and education of employees in circular economy and sustainability practices to ensure effective implementation in companies.
CONCLUSION
The implementation of the circular economy in business administration in Latin America has great potential to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and can generate long-term economic and social benefits. Despite the existing barriers, it is important that awareness and training in sustainable practices is promoted among employees and effective policies and regulations are implemented to encourage the adoption of the circular economy in companies in the region.
The circular economy is an important tool for business administration in Latin America to achieve sustainable development goals. The implementation of circular economy practices can generate significant economic and social benefits, including reducing costs associated with acquiring new resources, optimizing processes and improving waste management. In addition, the circular economy can have a positive impact on the environment and society at large, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating green jobs.
However, some barriers to the implementation of circular economy practices in Latin American companies were identified, such as the lack of clear and effective government regulations and policies and the lack of awareness and training among employees. To overcome these barriers, it is suggested that governments in the region implement clear and effective policies and regulations that encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in the business sector. In addition, it is important to invest in employee training and education to ensure effective implementation of circular economy practices in companies.
In summary, the implementation of circular economy practices in business administration in Latin America can contribute significantly to the achievement of the sustainable development goals and generate long-term economic and social benefits. It is hoped that this study can contribute to the awareness and understanding of the importance of the circular economy in the region and to encourage its effective implementation in companies.
REFERENCES
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