DIGITALNA CIRKULARNA EKONOMIJA I NULTI OTPAD
DIGITAL CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND ZERO WASTE

Author(s): Boris Todorović, Marija Todorović, Zdravko Todorović
Subject(s): Energy and Environmental Studies, Human Ecology, Political Ecology, Environmental interactions, ICT Information and Communications Technologies, Green Transformation
Published by: Finrar d.o.o Banja Luka
Keywords: scarce resources; unlimited needs and wants; linear economy; circular economy; digitalization; new technologies; zero defect; environmental pollution;
Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the research is to show how companies use scarce resources (land, labor and capital) to satisfy the unlimited needs and desires of customers or citizens. The company is faced with a choice of option or strategy: whether to slow down economic growth, reduce the desires and needs of the population or use available resources more efficiently. To solve this problem, companies are looking for the most efficient economic model. The linear economic model of take, make, use and waste away has proven unsustainable because it puts pressure on limited resources, creates waste and threatens the balance of ecosystems and biodiversity. Solving the problem of waste and reckless consumption of scarce resources has led to the development of the circular economy model. The development of new technologies and digitalization have significantly affected the economy and business of companies. By connecting new technologies, digitalization and the circular economy, we have come to the proposal of a digital circular economy model. The research design shows the impact of the digital circular economy on the creation of products without errors, waste and environmental pollution, which satisfy the desires and requirements of customers with minimal consumption of limited resources. The research methods in this study were qualitative and inductive, based on a review of available literature and in-depth interviews with experts from the IT and manufacturing sectors in manufacturing organizations. The main findings of the research are: a systemic approach to the analysis of scarce resources and a proposal for a strategy for their use; analysis of the needs and desires of the population for products and services; criticism of the linear model of the economy; analysis of the circular economy; presentation of digitalization and new technologies; proposal of a model of a digital circular economy and analysis of the results of the survey and interviews on the above topics. The limitations of the research are related to the smaller number of companies we analyzed and the smaller number of managers surveyed. For this reason, the research is not categorized as a case study, but as an interview with experts. The research objectives show what benefits the research has for practice and science. The practical benefits of the research will be for managers of manufacturing organizations that seek to improve business efficiency through the adoption of digital technologies in order to introduce a digital circular economy and improve business profitability. The originality of the research is related to the creation of a model of the impact of the digital circular economy on the business system that should encourage the creation of ecological, economic and social value. Establishing a digital circular economy requires fundamental changes across the entire value chain, from product design and technology to new business models, new ways of conserving natural resources and turning waste into resources, new consumer behavior, new standards, regulations and practices, new ways of education and financing, and a new economic paradigm based on a digital circular economy. It is important to understand that implementing a digital circular economy is a necessary step towards achieving climate goals and increasing resource and energy efficiency.

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