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Strategic implementation of circular business models in developing countries

Lindwall, Azusa LU (2023) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM01 20231
The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Abstract
This thesis aims to address the challenges of implementing circular economy (CE) practices in
emerging/developing economies by harnessing the resources of multinational corporations
(MNCs) to improve waste management situations in these areas of the world. A case study is
conducted on a Swedish beverage carton producer operating in Thailand to examine the key
challenges and strategies employed by the company to promote the recycling of used beverage
cartons (UBCs) in the country. The study reveals that the company faces significant challenges
related to host-country regulations, the informal nature of the waste collection sector, limited
consumer awareness, and the absence of adequate recycling infrastructure. To address these
... (More)
This thesis aims to address the challenges of implementing circular economy (CE) practices in
emerging/developing economies by harnessing the resources of multinational corporations
(MNCs) to improve waste management situations in these areas of the world. A case study is
conducted on a Swedish beverage carton producer operating in Thailand to examine the key
challenges and strategies employed by the company to promote the recycling of used beverage
cartons (UBCs) in the country. The study reveals that the company faces significant challenges
related to host-country regulations, the informal nature of the waste collection sector, limited
consumer awareness, and the absence of adequate recycling infrastructure. To address these
challenges, the company employs several strategies, including collaborating with stakeholders to
enhance consumer awareness and engagement, providing financial incentives to informal sector
actors, and engaging with industry partners and national and municipal governments to promote
recycling initiatives. The study recommends that MNCs consider host-country regulations, the
dominant type of recycling value chain, and the availability of necessary recycling infrastructure
when implementing CE strategies in developing countries. It also suggests that MNCs adopt an
appropriate project management approach that fits the host-country environment and establish
a balanced organizational structure to optimize knowledge sharing and resource allocation
within the global organization. Future research is needed to explore the transferability of these
findings to other contexts and to investigate the effectiveness of the company’s strategies in
achieving its objectives. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Lindwall, Azusa LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Experiences from a Swedish multinational corporation in Thailand
course
IMEM01 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
circular economy, multinational corporations, municipal solid waste management, recycling, developing countries
publication/series
IIIEE Master Thesis
report number
2023:03
ISSN
1401-9191
language
English
id
9140918
date added to LUP
2023-11-06 12:59:13
date last changed
2023-11-06 12:59:13
@misc{9140918,
  abstract     = {{This thesis aims to address the challenges of implementing circular economy (CE) practices in
emerging/developing economies by harnessing the resources of multinational corporations
(MNCs) to improve waste management situations in these areas of the world. A case study is
conducted on a Swedish beverage carton producer operating in Thailand to examine the key
challenges and strategies employed by the company to promote the recycling of used beverage
cartons (UBCs) in the country. The study reveals that the company faces significant challenges
related to host-country regulations, the informal nature of the waste collection sector, limited
consumer awareness, and the absence of adequate recycling infrastructure. To address these
challenges, the company employs several strategies, including collaborating with stakeholders to
enhance consumer awareness and engagement, providing financial incentives to informal sector
actors, and engaging with industry partners and national and municipal governments to promote
recycling initiatives. The study recommends that MNCs consider host-country regulations, the
dominant type of recycling value chain, and the availability of necessary recycling infrastructure
when implementing CE strategies in developing countries. It also suggests that MNCs adopt an
appropriate project management approach that fits the host-country environment and establish
a balanced organizational structure to optimize knowledge sharing and resource allocation
within the global organization. Future research is needed to explore the transferability of these
findings to other contexts and to investigate the effectiveness of the company’s strategies in
achieving its objectives.}},
  author       = {{Lindwall, Azusa}},
  issn         = {{1401-9191}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
  title        = {{Strategic implementation of circular business models in developing countries}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}