Roles of digital technology in enabling circular economy for electronic waste management
Roles of digital technology in enabling circular economy for electronic waste management
Digital Technology
Sustainability
Circular Econcomy
Wate Mangement
Communcation & colloboration
Thesis project description
1. Abstract
Technology development lead to a better life for the people, however, in the linear setting of the business model, it created significant environmental issues such as global warming, climate change, and waste generation. E-waste is getting increase by passing each day due to several factors like the advancement of modern technology which lead to the high demand of people to replace the old and use new electronic devices with a shorter life span and lack of effective disposal methods. Scholars mention that digital technology such as AI, big data, data analytics, and IoT with the combination of circular economy strategy provides solutions for better waste management. Digital technologies and AI have been used practically in industries and are considered enablers for the circular economy, but how empirically digital technologies support the circular economy strategies in waste management is not widely researched. Additionally, since the circular economy is a closed loop thus one company cannot close the loop, but the ecosystem can. Thus, collaboration, contribution, and cooperation are needed between companies, consumers, and the supply chain. According to researchers, digital technology can promote collaboration and communication between supply-chain ecosystems but “how” is not studied empirically. Therefore, this study aims to fill the gap and contribute to the existing knowledge, first through a literature review and second by conducting case studies through the lens of a Multi-level perspective framework.
2. Research Questions
Based on the current studies and the research gap the following research questions are formulated:
RQ1: How can digital technology enable the circular economy and facilitate electronic waste management?
RQ2: How can companies use digital technology to facilitate communication internally and externally to support CE implementation?
In order to understand the above research questions, I need to interview experts in the domain of sustainability with a focus on electronic waste management. Since various companies have already used digital technology to solve the collection, monitoring, and disposal of waste in an effective way. Therefore, I want to understand in detail how digital technology can enable a circular economy in e-waste management and facilitate collaboration internally within the company and externally with consumers and stakeholders.
Managerial value of the research
Digital technologies (DTs) have an essential effect and important role in the transition, support, and implementation of CE. DTs have potential effects in various domains of CE. However, there is a lack of empirical research at the time of writing that how DTs empirically can support CE and facilitate better collaboration internally within companies and externally with consumers and stakeholders. Waste management is a trend among companies now, and providing solutions with technology is an opportunity both for the companies and society in order to solve current sustainability problems. Thus, the finding and results of this study will beneficial for the companies to understand better the shortages and benefits of technology for enabling a circular economy which may lead to another innovation in the future.
Research topic motivation
I have studied technology management as my master's. In this study, I covered business aspects of technology and how digital technology can enable circular economy which is a sustainable business model. In addition, based on my research and finding electronic waste is a serious problem in developed and developing countries. Therefore, I got fascinated to understand better how digital technology can result in better waste management with a focus on electronic waste.
Why collaborate with us
I have a good understanding of both technoloyg and sustainability. To be more specific, I have 5 years of experience working in the digitalization area which helped me to have a good understanding of digital technology's role in business areas. Also, I had several courses about technology management related to business aspects and two courses about sustainability in my master's program which convinced me that I'm interested to know more about the selected topic. In addition, I have completed two-semester research-oriented projects with other colleges with very good marks which lead me to learn more about how to conduct research.
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Project information
Project type
Thesis project
Collaboration semester
Spring 2023
Collaboration duration
8 to 14 weeks.
Collaboration start date
2023-04-21
Number of student
1
Collaboration language
English
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