Search

There is a widespread agreement that the current linear economic system is unsustainable due to the physical boundaries of our planet and must be replaced by a circular one, that is, by a circular economy (CE). Previous studies have theoretically proposed that eco‐innovations (EIs), or innovations that reduce the environmental impacts of consumption and production processes, are a key element to improve the circular use of resources. However, the analysis of the drivers of such a transition to a CE through EI, particularly at the micro‐level of firms, has not received attention in the past. The aim of this paper is to cover this gap in the literature. It quantitatively analyses the role of influencing factors (drivers and barriers) in that relationship, with a focus on the company's organisational ('soft') factors, rooted in organisational culture and strategy. With the help of data collected through a survey of Spanish small and medium‐sized firms in the industrial sector, a regression‐based moderation analysis is carried out. Therefore, four moderation models were defined based on organisational factors derived from the previous literature (sustainability, future, stakeholder and learning/knowledge orientation in firms. The results suggest that, indeed, two of those factors (a high level of sustainability and knowledge orientation) are particularly relevant drivers in the transition to the CE through EI. Thus, if the aim of policy makers and corporate decision makers is to increase the circularity of the economy or their firms, policies and measures should be targeted at these two factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of phytosanitary treatments in viticulture is widely demanded by policymakers and consumers. An important solution is the use of resistant grapes, which can cut plant protection applications by up to 80%. Although this is a significant improvement, viticulture is mainly carried out with traditional grapes. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to identify the factors that encourage the cultivation of fungus-resistant grape varieties (FRGV), as well as the challenges and opportunities in marketing. Our study used an exploratory sequential mixed-methods model design. In the first step, data were collected through 48 in-depth interviews and analyzed. Based on the qualitative results, a survey of 422 producers was conducted. The quantitative research results were segmented by company size and production type to provide a deeper understanding. The main drivers for cultivation are the ecological benefits resulting from the reduction of pesticide use, with organic producers particularly motivated by sustainability goals. Smaller producers are driven by the opportunity to introduce a new wine style, whereas larger producers are more cautious and focus on cost savings. The cultivation of resistant grape varieties is restricted by a large number of varieties, lack of experience, and unfavorable characteristics from initial generations of resistant grapes. A low level of grape variety prominence and customer awareness, as well as unattractive variety names, negatively affect producer acceptance. To facilitate higher market acceptance, it is important to offer attractive grape varieties, directly communicate them to consumers, and provide information about the sustainable effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To align with the target of reducing plant protection measures within the EU Green Deal programme, the utilisation of resistant grape varieties in viticulture becomes indispensable. Consequently, this study investigated the factors that influence consumer acceptance of fungus-resistant grape varieties (FRGV) in Germany. The qualitative research methodology involved conducting semi-structured interviews, including sensory evaluation tests, with focus groups consisting of 48 consumers and evaluating the data using content analysis. The findings revealed that the attractiveness of a grape variety is determined by four distinct attributes: familiarity, designation, association, and image. Furthermore, FRGV can be made more attractive to consumers by using denominations based on established grape varieties or by using and associating them with their sensory patterns. The sensory acceptance of FRGV varies significantly across consumer segments and vinification methods. Providing relevant information about the benefits of resistant grape varieties has a positive impact on consumer acceptance, and the level of interest and relevance varies by target group. The study suggests that it is possible to enhance consumer acceptance by offering attractive grape varieties, targeting group-specific sensory profiles, and engaging in storytelling campaigns that educate consumers about the advantages of resistant grapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of a treatment or an intervention on a count outcome are often of interest in applied research. When controlling for additional covariates, a negative binomial regression model is usually applied to estimate conditional expectations of the count outcome. The difference in conditional expectations under treatment and under control is then defined as the (conditional) treatment effect. While traditionally aggregates of these conditional treatment effects (e.g., average treatment effects) are computed by averaging over the empirical distribution, a recently proposed moment‐based approach allows for computing aggregate effects as a function of distribution parameters. The moment‐based approach makes it possible to control for (latent) multivariate normally distributed covariates and provides more reliable inferences under certain conditions. In this paper we propose three different ways to account for non‐normally distributed continuous covariates in this approach: an alternative, known non‐normal distribution; a plausible factorization of the joint distribution; and an approximation using finite Gaussian mixtures. A saturated model is used for categorical covariates, making a distributional assumption obsolete. We further extend the moment‐based approach to allow for multiple treatment conditions and the computation of conditional effects for categorical covariates. An illustrative example highlighting the key features of our extension is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of a treatment on a count outcome can be assessed using a negative binomial regression, where treatment effects are defined as the difference between the expected outcome under treatment and under control. These treatment effects can to date only be estimated if all covariates are manifest (observed) variables. However, some covariates are latent variables that are measured by multiple fallible indicators. In such cases, it is important to control for measurement error of covariates in order to avoid attenuation bias and to get unbiased treatment effect estimates. In this paper, we propose a new approach to compute average and conditional treatment effects in regression models with a logarithmic link function involving multiple latent and manifest covariates. We extend the previously presented moment-based approach in several aspects: Building on a multigroup SEM framework for count variables instead of the generalized linear model, we allow for latent covariates and multiple covariates. We provide an illustrative example to explain the application and estimation in structural equation modeling software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy (CE) and eco‐innovation (EI) are two concepts deemed instrumental in achieving a sustainable transition. They have been proposed in the academic literature and by practitioners and have acquired very high public policy relevance, being endorsed by policymakers and ultimately leading to regulations supporting them. It has been argued that both concepts are compatible and interrelated and that EI is instrumental in achieving the CE. However, little is known about how different EI features contribute to the CE at the microlevel. This article tries to cover this gap. Its aim is to assess and quantify the causal relationship between different EI features and the CE with the help of a unique dataset of small‐ and medium‐sized firms in Spain and an econometric analysis. Our results show that only systemic EIs contribute to a global CE, whereas other EI types such as component additions or small changes in existing production processes could even be barriers to high levels of circularity. It is found out that technological novelty is not relevant for reaching the CE. The results support the understanding of how EIs enable a transition to the CE. Care should be taken not to promote incremental EIs that do not only achieve low (or no) circularity but that effectively lock‐in the economic system in solutions that entail a barrier to the achievement of high‐level circularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of the European Union cooperation mechanisms for concentrated solar power (CSP) projects could kill two birds with one stone. First, CSP electricity can cover demand when variable renewables cannot generate. Second, CSP projects deployed under the cooperation mechanisms could contribute to a European-wide optimization of resource use and grid management. This paper analyzes whether the dispatchable nature of CSP is a main driver to the use of the cooperation mechanism for this technology. Based on an expert elicitation and a survey to different types of stakeholders, our results show that, indeed, dispatchability will be the main driver to the use of the cooperation mechanisms for CSP projects in the future. The findings suggest that two types of policy interventions will be required to encourage the use of these mechanisms for CSP. Some policy measures should be directed at the technology itself, whereas other policies should target the cooperation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate whether political ideology has an observable effect on decarbonization ambition, renewable power aims, and preferences for power system balancing technologies in four European countries. Based on the Energy Logics framework, we identify ideologically different transition strategies (state-centered, market-centered, grassroots-centered) contained in government policies and opposition party programs valid in 2019. We compare these policies and programs with citizen poll data. We find that ideology has a small effect: governments and political parties across the spectrum have similar, and relatively ambitious, decarbonization and renewables targets. This mirrors citizens' strong support for ambitious action regardless of their ideological self-description. However, whereas political positions on phasing out fossil fuel power are clear across the policy space, positions on phasing in new flexibility options to balance intermittent renewables are vague or non-existent. As parties and citizens agree on strong climate and renewable power aims, the policy ambition is likely to remain high, even if governments change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firms are influenced by internal factors (resources and capabilities) and external factors (e.g., regulation) when taking the decision to eco‐innovate. However, the analysis of the internal factors has received much less attention than the external ones. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature by analyzing the role of resources, competences, and dynamic capabilities (RCCs) as determinants (drivers and barriers) of different eco‐innovation (EI) types. Those EI types contribute differently to the sustainable transition of the economy and society, that is, towards the circular economy. The statistical analyses reveal that RCCs are quite relevant as determinants of EIs, and that different RCCs are more or less relevant for different EI types. In particular, the determinants of systemic and radical EIs substantially differ from those for continuous improvements. Our results suggest that physical RCCs, involvement in green supply chains, an EI‐friendly corporate culture, technology‐push and market‐pull, and internal financing resources represent drivers to these EIs, whereas cooperation, organizational learning, an ISO (International Organization for Standardization) ecological certification, and technological path dependency are barriers. The results may guide firms to pursue competitive and sustainable advantage by innovating through certain EI types corresponding to available and dedicated RCCs. They may also be useful to policy makers who are willing to promote specific EI types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socially desirable responding has become a central concept in research regarding applicants' deliberate distortions in answering personality tests. Key findings based on this concept infer that such distortions do not impair the utility of personality measures for personnel selection. However, in recent years some scholars questioned the utility of social desirability itself as concept and introduced another applicant faking behavior. This narrative review provides an overview and integration of this construct by proposing a definition of applicant faking behavior, the current state of faking theory, and latest techniques to model and detect applicant faking. Implications of these findings for research and personnel selection are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]