Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Transforming Uncertainty into Opportunity Investigating Stakeholder Perceptions Across the Value Chain in Denmark’s Circular Building Material Waste Supply Chain

Hill, Emily Anne LU (2024) HEKM51 20241
Department of Human Geography
Human Ecology
Abstract
The construction industry generates a significant amount of waste and serious environmental impacts. Denmark has an ambitious climate goal to stay within the 1.5-2.0-degree target and transition to a circular economy. However, transitioning away from the well-accepted linear take-make-waste model triggers uncertainty and risk among stakeholders across the value chain within the supply chain for building material waste. To identify the root causes of anxiety and develop targeted solutions, a mixed-method approach comprised of a quantitative survey (n=52) and qualitative interviews (n=19) was selected. The research investigated how external political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) factors influence... (More)
The construction industry generates a significant amount of waste and serious environmental impacts. Denmark has an ambitious climate goal to stay within the 1.5-2.0-degree target and transition to a circular economy. However, transitioning away from the well-accepted linear take-make-waste model triggers uncertainty and risk among stakeholders across the value chain within the supply chain for building material waste. To identify the root causes of anxiety and develop targeted solutions, a mixed-method approach comprised of a quantitative survey (n=52) and qualitative interviews (n=19) was selected. The research investigated how external political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) factors influence stakeholder perceptions of uncertainty. Findings indicate that external economic factors have the strongest influence on stakeholder perceptions of uncertainty, followed by legal and political factors. Stakeholders expressed genuine concerns towards the economic feasibility of incorporating circular practices to address building material waste, on top of ambiguous regulations and the tension between setting ambitious climate goals without a robust legal framework. Without addressing the uncertainties stakeholders face across the value chain, scaling up circular practices will continue to face roadblocks. A systems-level approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the PESTEL factors to address the root causes of stakeholders’ anxieties across the value chain can transform uncertainty into opportunity, creating a sustainable built environment in Denmark. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Hill, Emily Anne LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKM51 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Circular Economy, Circular Supply Chains, Value Chain, Building Material Waste, Construction Industry, Stakeholder Uncertainty, PESTEL Factors (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal, Denmark
language
English
id
9166843
date added to LUP
2024-07-24 12:03:51
date last changed
2024-07-24 12:03:51
@misc{9166843,
  abstract     = {{The construction industry generates a significant amount of waste and serious environmental impacts. Denmark has an ambitious climate goal to stay within the 1.5-2.0-degree target and transition to a circular economy. However, transitioning away from the well-accepted linear take-make-waste model triggers uncertainty and risk among stakeholders across the value chain within the supply chain for building material waste. To identify the root causes of anxiety and develop targeted solutions, a mixed-method approach comprised of a quantitative survey (n=52) and qualitative interviews (n=19) was selected. The research investigated how external political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) factors influence stakeholder perceptions of uncertainty. Findings indicate that external economic factors have the strongest influence on stakeholder perceptions of uncertainty, followed by legal and political factors. Stakeholders expressed genuine concerns towards the economic feasibility of incorporating circular practices to address building material waste, on top of ambiguous regulations and the tension between setting ambitious climate goals without a robust legal framework. Without addressing the uncertainties stakeholders face across the value chain, scaling up circular practices will continue to face roadblocks. A systems-level approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of the PESTEL factors to address the root causes of stakeholders’ anxieties across the value chain can transform uncertainty into opportunity, creating a sustainable built environment in Denmark.}},
  author       = {{Hill, Emily Anne}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Transforming Uncertainty into Opportunity Investigating Stakeholder Perceptions Across the Value Chain in Denmark’s Circular Building Material Waste Supply Chain}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}