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The theoretical and practical understanding of sustainability implementation has been changing in depth and scope. In particular, circular economy paradigms (e.g., Cradle to Cradle or "C2C" practices) have enabled firms to rethink their resource management behavior, resulting in distinct trade‐off patterns among different sustainability dimensions. Furthermore, while many established firms remain reactive and market‐oriented in their sustainability implementations, sustainability‐rooted firms proactively integrate sustainability practices into their core business. The prior literature on sustainability trade‐offs has unduly focused more on established firms that predominantly indulge in market‐oriented decisions and trade‐offs between profit and sustainability, lacking insights into the approaches adopted by sustainability‐rooted firms and trade‐offs among the different dimensions of sustainability. We performed a mixed‐methods study to address this gap and illustrated the rationale and dynamics of trade‐offs among five sustainability dimensions (i.e., material health, material reutilization, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness). We primarily focused on firms in the United States and the European Union since they are the leading areas in terms of circular economy adoption. We explained the pattern of sustainability trade‐offs and associated them with a three‐stage maturity framework, namely, low‐hanging fruits, exploratory, and resource and time intensive. We contributed to the theory by depicting the influence of resource allocation and sustainability maturity level on trade‐offs among the five dimensions of sustainability. Practitioners can leverage our framework to better understand their sustainability transformation and make more informed decisions for attaining higher levels of sustainability with more impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although researchers have examined organizational sustainability practices, a specific interpretation of local government green development practices remains for supplemental analysis. This study conducted an empirical survey of 53 local officials from departments related to green development to understand the key processes and practices of green development behavior of local governments in China. The key findings indicate that the main stakeholders involved in the green development practices of Chinese local governments consist of enterprises and residents. In part, local government green development practices emphasize the greening of enterprises, especially in the step of process environmental regulation. The new institutionalism theory and the organizational process research provide dependable insights into green development behaviors. Our findings further shed light on the process of cross-sectoral cooperation across local government departments in green development, contributing to local multi-sectoral interactions for regional green development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airport terminals worldwide generate approximately 6 million tons of passenger waste annually. Increased awareness of climate change and global interventions for environmental sustainability requires a reassessment of airports' current methods of waste management. This paper proposes a new design concept solution called circular airport retail waste management (CAWM) for airport terminal retail waste processing, which aims to reduce and ideally eliminate airport waste ending up in landfill or incineration. Given the need for novelty and challenging the status-quo, the double diamond design process was adopted as the research method. The research began by collating the current practices of retail waste processing in airports via a literature review and field observations. Secondly, a critical analysis of the current processes was conducted to identify the intervention points. Thirdly, a concept solution was developed based on the circular economy (CE) 9R framework. Finally, the CAWM concept was delivered to airport waste management personnel for review. CAWM offers a structured way of airport retail waste management practices, including the segregation of nonrecyclable and recyclable waste (i.e., different bin designs, color coding, harmonization of waste colors, improved instructions and signage, various bin locations, training, and installing more liquid disposal and donation stations). Airports can leverage CAWM for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness regarding airport terminal waste processing, such that more waste can be diverted from incineration and landfill to recovery, which will subsequently help airports achieve net-zero targets. This research contributes to the extant CE literature, especially in the aviation industry context, where the academic discourse surrounding this subject and its peculiarities are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Given the complexity of circular economy implementation, the literature is missing a strategic standpoint. This paper investigates the taxonomy of circular economy implementation strategies at the managerial level by linking it to strategy literature. The taxonomy was developed by using standard k-mean clustering method that incorporates 391 Cradle-to-Cradle product scorecards of 187 companies from 10 different industries. The analysis was based on the relative importance assigned to each competitive capability that defines the circular economy; namely, material health, material reutilization, renewable energy, water stewardship, and social fairness. Three distinct clusters of circular economy implementation strategy groups were observed: (i) founding (recyclers), (ii) development (all-decent circulars), and (iii) maturity (toxicity fighters). All clusters have been present in various industries, although there is an industry effect. The results indicate that each cluster has a different strategy. The results obtained contradict the general assumption and expectation of simultaneous improvement at all circular economy dimensions. Our research contributes to the theoretical understanding of circular economy implementation by providing a taxonomy of strategies. It contributes to the strategy literature by suggesting that the maturity degree of a competitive capability may determine the implementation strategy. For practice, the study presents a road-map for managers to reach higher degrees of circularity. Highlights • Links circular economy literature to strategy literature. • Employs hierarchical k-means clustering method to analyze 391 Cradle-to-Cradle products. • Proposes a taxonomy with three degrees of circularity adopting different strategies. • Suggests that the maturity degree of a competitive capability may determine the strategy. • Contributes to the theoretical understanding of circular economy implementation in the manufacturing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Consumers have been recognized as critical enablers of sustainable development as consumption behavior can also shape the way firms do business. Accordingly, many product sustainability indicators have been developed for consumers, yet which attributes the consumers value more in green purchasing remains unknown. By developing a novel scale of environmental and social practices, this research aims to analyze which sustainability information attributes of products are prioritized by consumers and how these attributes drive consumers' willingness to pay price premium. Given its significance for both economy and sustainable development, the Electric Vehicle Industry has been chosen for analysis with an online survey of 582 consumers. Through the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, the results indicate that environmental impact information has significant influence on green purchasing while social impact does not. This finding contradicts the previous literature that posited that consumers scale products' social impact attributes as a priority. This means consumers are aware of the importance of a product's social sustainability performance, but such information does not contribute to their willingness to pay price premium. The scale of environmental and social attributes suggested in this research can be applied to other industries by guiding manufacturers to design business activities. Highlights • This study examines which sustainability information attributes of products are prioritized by consumers based on a survey. • This study analyzes how these attributes drive consumers' willingness to pay price premium (in the case of EVs). • The research considers not only the environmental impact but also the social impact of a product for consumers. • Environmental impact has been found to be critical for driving consumers' willingness to pay price premium. • Despite being aware, consumers do not intend to pay price premium for social impact of a product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]