There has been an exponential growth of new electronic products in the global consumer market. New electronic consumer products generate a growing need for new methods, processes and entrepreneurship in recycling. In this study, we examine how entrepreneurs involved in the recycling of electronic products innovate to create a more sustainable circular economy. The recycling system must take care of electronics that contains hazardous materials. Also, a recycling system should prevent the waste of potentially useful materials. Thus, entrepreneurship is crucial to improve the handling of toxic material and processing technology to reuse valuable elements. Innovation therefore is essential to facilitate a sustainable recycling process. In this study, we analyse entrepreneurial innovation in the light of the organisational structure of the recycling system. Following a study of 108 recycling entrepreneurs, competition and specific investments are found to be important factors that drive the sustainable innovation that make Norway one of the countries with the highest recycling rates of electronic and electric waste.
Flygansvær, Bente Merete; Dahlstrøm, Robert & Nygaard, Arne (2018)
Exploring the Pursuit of Sustainability in Reverse Supply Chains for Electronics
Abstract: This study examines reverse supply chains in the electronics industry. The analysis characterizes the flow of resources among firms in a reverse supply chain in the Norwegian electronics industry. The study subsequently examines influences of governance mechanisms and culture on the social, ecological, and economic performance in the supply chain. Based on principal-agency theory, the authors implicate collaboration, monitoring, and specific assets as determinants of the interfirm culture operating in the reverse supply chain. The interfirm culture and collaboration serve as antecedents to triple bottom line performance. Data collected with Norwegian electronics collectors indicate that collaboration and interfirm culture influence ecological, economic, and relational components of sustainable performance.
Sharifyazdi, Mehdi & Flygansvær, Bente M. (2015)
Dynamic routing in reverse logistics : the effect of sensors in waste containers on uncertainty
Jæger, Bjørn (red.). NOFOMA 2015 : Post Conference Proceedings, Molde, 3-5 June 2015, Nordic Logistics Research Network
Reverse logistics systems are characterized with inherent uncertainties from supply and demand. Therefore, tools and planning methods must be developed to cope with these uncertainties and at the same time reduce cost and increase service and predictability. This paper develop a dynamic method for vehicle routing in waste collection. In particular, we evaluate the effect of availability of fill-rate data provided by sensors in waste containers. Keywords: Reverse logistics, Uncertainty, Vehicle Routing, Dynamic routing, Waste containers.
Bygballe, Lena Elisabeth; Flygansvær, Bente Merete & Harrison, Debbie (2020)
Initiating a circular network: Quantifying monetary and carbon trade-offs in butterfly resource interactions