A gender perspective on the circular economy – a literature review and research agenda
(2024) In Journal of Industrial Ecology- Abstract
- The circular economy (CE) challenges the traditional linear economic model by emphasizing the importance of resource efficiency, recycling, and regeneration in society. However, the role of gender in CE practices remains underexplored. This article presents a systematic literature review on how gender dynamics intersect with CE, highlighting the implications of gendered labor distribution, access to resources, and decision-making processes. Women, often pivotal in household and community resource management, are underrepresented in policy and research. Gender perspectives are therefore crucial for addressing social, environmental, and justice dimensions within CE. The study employs the lens of care labor to reveal power imbalances and the... (More)
- The circular economy (CE) challenges the traditional linear economic model by emphasizing the importance of resource efficiency, recycling, and regeneration in society. However, the role of gender in CE practices remains underexplored. This article presents a systematic literature review on how gender dynamics intersect with CE, highlighting the implications of gendered labor distribution, access to resources, and decision-making processes. Women, often pivotal in household and community resource management, are underrepresented in policy and research. Gender perspectives are therefore crucial for addressing social, environmental, and justice dimensions within CE. The study employs the lens of care labor to reveal power imbalances and the exclusion of marginalized groups, advocating for inclusive policies to achieve socially sustainable and equitable CE futures. The review identifies the overrepresentation of women in undervalued, informal activities and the dominance of men in highly valued, technologically advanced CE roles. It also underscores the benefits of gender diversity in corporate governance, which enhances sustainability practices. The article calls for a deeper examination of gender's impact on CE, suggesting a research agenda to integrate gender perspectives, enhance CE effectiveness, and promote equity. The findings indicate that addressing gender inequalities in CE is essential to prevent replicating the shortcomings of the linear economy and to foster innovative, inclusive, and sustainable development. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/e3e67062-1d35-4717-b590-e8bf002d9a6f
- author
- Palm, Jenny LU ; Lazoroska, Daniela LU ; Valencia, Melanie ; Bocken, Nancy LU and Södergren, Karolina LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-10-08
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- care labor, circular economy, gender, industrial ecology, literature review, resource efficiency
- in
- Journal of Industrial Ecology
- pages
- 14 pages
- publisher
- MIT Press
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85205935711
- ISSN
- 1530-9290
- DOI
- 10.1111/jiec.13554
- project
- Women in power: peer networking and collectivization towards diversity and inclusion in the Swedish energy sector
- Smart symbiosis - collaboration for common resource flows
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- e3e67062-1d35-4717-b590-e8bf002d9a6f
- date added to LUP
- 2024-10-08 20:34:44
- date last changed
- 2025-04-04 14:19:10
@article{e3e67062-1d35-4717-b590-e8bf002d9a6f,
abstract = {{The circular economy (CE) challenges the traditional linear economic model by emphasizing the importance of resource efficiency, recycling, and regeneration in society. However, the role of gender in CE practices remains underexplored. This article presents a systematic literature review on how gender dynamics intersect with CE, highlighting the implications of gendered labor distribution, access to resources, and decision-making processes. Women, often pivotal in household and community resource management, are underrepresented in policy and research. Gender perspectives are therefore crucial for addressing social, environmental, and justice dimensions within CE. The study employs the lens of care labor to reveal power imbalances and the exclusion of marginalized groups, advocating for inclusive policies to achieve socially sustainable and equitable CE futures. The review identifies the overrepresentation of women in undervalued, informal activities and the dominance of men in highly valued, technologically advanced CE roles. It also underscores the benefits of gender diversity in corporate governance, which enhances sustainability practices. The article calls for a deeper examination of gender's impact on CE, suggesting a research agenda to integrate gender perspectives, enhance CE effectiveness, and promote equity. The findings indicate that addressing gender inequalities in CE is essential to prevent replicating the shortcomings of the linear economy and to foster innovative, inclusive, and sustainable development.}},
author = {{Palm, Jenny and Lazoroska, Daniela and Valencia, Melanie and Bocken, Nancy and Södergren, Karolina}},
issn = {{1530-9290}},
keywords = {{care labor; circular economy; gender; industrial ecology; literature review; resource efficiency}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{10}},
publisher = {{MIT Press}},
series = {{Journal of Industrial Ecology}},
title = {{A gender perspective on the circular economy – a literature review and research agenda}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/196857406/J_of_Industrial_Ecology_-_2024_-_Palm_-_A_gender_perspective_on_the_circular_economy_A_literature_review_and_research.pdf}},
doi = {{10.1111/jiec.13554}},
year = {{2024}},
}