An assessment tool for the evaluation of circular economy implementation

Abstract

PurposeIn this paper, the authors adopt the theory of the circular economy to study the transitions that take place in three case studies in Mexico and Ecuador. The work is aimed to systematize a circular economy assessment tool that fosters opportunities for improvement in business practices.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on a descriptive quantitative analysis, where a checklist is made with 91 items and nine study variables. This is from the study of the bibliography and business practice. Furthermore, the neural network method is used in a case study to predict the level of circular economy and the importance of each variable according to the sensitivity by the Lek’s profile method.FindingsIt is based on a descriptive quantitative analysis, where a checklist with 91 items and nine study variables is made, defined from a bibliographic study and business practice. Furthermore, the neural network method is used in a case study to predict the level of circular economy and the importance of each variable based on sensitivity.Research limitations/implicationsThe application of the tool requires prior knowledge of the circular economy approach, which is why specialized personnel are needed for its application. This makes research more expensive in time and human resources.Practical implicationsThe practical and methodological contribution of this work lies in the feasibility of the tool that favors the definition of improvement actions for the implementation contribution to the circular economy in business practices.Social implicationsThe social contribution is framed in the gradual transition to circular economy approaches in underdeveloped countries.Originality/valueThe use of the neural network method to predict the level of circular economy in a case study allows making decisions in a predictive way. This encourages the development of the circular economy according to the context needs.

Evaluation of the Circular Economy in a Pitahaya Agri-Food Chain

“…It was descriptive-explanatory because it identified the stakeholders that composed the links that in turn determined the network and the production process. The CE was diagnosed following the criteria of the checklist by Dieguez et al [31].…”

“…The scale variables that determined the level of CE of the supply chain and company were calculated using Equations ( 1) and ( 2) [31]. In the case of Equation ( 1), the 91 items on a Likert scale were consulted for determination.…”

“…A hierarchical analysis (weights method) proposed by Saaty [73] was used to obtain each variable's weights. In this case, the procedure was based on a square matrix constructed according to the number of criteria to be weighted that were compared pairwise [31].…”

“…The checklist by [31] was applied. Table 2 shows the general results of the evaluation of EC in the pitahaya production chain in the canton of Palora.…”

“…When the products, materials, and resources resulting from productive processes are valorized, they close biological cycles. CE addresses environmental priorities while also allowing for the resolution of some current issues, such as resource depletion [31].…”