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ZusammenfassungDie Nutzung von organischen Abfällen und Nebenströmen ist ein wichtiger Baustein für die Transformation zu einem nachhaltige(re)n Agrar- und Ernährungssystem. Die damit einhergehenden Kreislaufsysteme werden in der Literatur unter dem Begriff der Circular Bioeconomy diskutiert. Der Beitrag greift diese Diskussionen auf und liefert empirische Befunde aus der Raps- und Zuckerrübenproduktion, wo große Mengen an Nebenströmen speziell auf der Verarbeitungsstufe anfallen (z. B. Presskuchen, Extraktionsschrot, Rübenschnitzel, Melasse). Für diese organischen Stoffe haben sich unterschiedliche Verwertungspfade etabliert, sodass sie mittlerweile ein wichtiges Element der betrieblichen Wertschöpfung darstellen. Die Verwertung geschieht in beiden Bereichen durch intersektorale Vernetzungen, die sich je nach Wertschöpfungspotenzial und Lager‑/Transportfähigkeit der Biomasse über verschiedene Raumebenen erstrecken (lokal/regional, national, international). Ebenso spielen unternehmerische Merkmale wie auch der institutionelle Kontext eine Rolle bei der Nebenstromverwertung.

Circular economies are an important pillar of sustainable production and consumption. This particularly applies to the agri-food industry, which is characterised by large amounts of organic waste and by-product streams posing a serious challenge for many food producers. Therefore, respective firms increasingly adopt circular economy business models (CEBMs) to manage these resource flows effectively. However, there is only little knowledge on the functioning of CEBMs in bio-based industries, especially from a socio-economic perspective. We address this gap by exploring enablers and motivations behind such business models as well as the institutional contexts they are embedded in. In methodological terms, we adopt a case study approach using the example of potato production in Lower Saxony (northwest Germany). The core of the paper is a qualitative in-depth analysis of four potato processors, adopting varying business models to valorise their by-product streams (e.g. peels, scraps, pulp) either ‘in-house’ or in partnerships with external partners. The findings show that the implementation of CEBMs results from a complex interplay of internal and external enablers, with economic considerations as the main impetus for the management of biological reverse cycles. Thereby, we found a shifting economic logic in the assessment of potato by-products from disposable waste to valuable resources for other sectors (e.g. livestock farming, bioenergy, biofuels). While being encouraged by targeted policies, the companies studied feel increasingly affected by emerging sustainability discourses, prompting them to (re)design and (re)frame their CEBMs in view of environmental and societal issues.

Die ostdeutsche Agrarwirtschaft ist durch einen tiefgreifenden strukturellen Wandel mit zahlreichen Umbruchen gekennzeichnet. Die ehemaligen Landwirtschaftlichen Produktionsgenossenschaften (LPGs), die zu DDR-Zeiten noch wichtige soziale Funktionen in den landlichen Raumen erfullten, wurden nach der Wiedervereinigung abgewickelt und deren Nachfolgebetriebe in die „neuen“ marktwirtschaftlichen Strukturen integriert. Die weiterhin dominanten grosbetrieblichen Strukturen werfen die Frage auf, inwieweit ein nachhaltiger(er) Entwicklungspfad der ostdeutschen Agrarwirtschaft erreicht werden kann. Bei aller wirtschaftlichen Effizienz ist zu konstatieren, dass die Einhaltung okologischer, sozialer und tierwohlbezogener Standards auch in (konventionellen) ostdeutschen Agrarbetrieben kritisch gesehen wird. Insofern sollten neben dem okologischen Landbau, der in Teilen Ostdeutschlands bereits gut positioniert ist, auch Pioniere des Wandels, die neue Praktiken im Agrarsektor etablieren, deutlich mehr Aufmerksamkeit erfahren als bisher, um den notwendigen Wandel in kleinen Schritten einzuleiten.

KTBL-Tagung vom 20. bis 21. März 2019 in Darmstadt.&nbsp

The emergence of globalization processes and transnational market integration has become a more and more challenging issue for scientific research in many fields, also and in particular within management science. Against this background the paper presents conceptualizations of globalizing networks based on theories and approaches such Global Commodity Chains, Global Value Chains and Global Production Networks. In particular, the paper aims to conceptualize and discuss globalizing networks with a specific focus on foreign direct investments (FDI) and special economic zones (SEZs). The article is based on heuristic approach and in-depth literature study. The text has been prepared based on heuristic approach and literature studies and it can make a small contribution to the conceptualization within in management science theory

Scientists analyze sustainability at the regional level with a combination of multiple indicators which reflect different characteristics of regions without combining the results in a single comparative unit. Moreover, the assessment of interdependencies between different characteristics requires experts' analyses, which makes sustainability analysis subjective, time consuming, and limited in use. This article analyzes the relative sustainability of subnational level regions through the application of regional sustainability assessment methodology (RSAM) based on accounting of resources capital and its internal and external transfers. This approach allows for assessment of regional sustainability as a function of resource quantity, quality, and interchangeability. The comparison of the two case study regions presented in the paper indicates the difference between a more sustainable region and a region of “weak sustainability.” First, the article indicates the discussion of the relevant geographic, economic, and social literature for both sustainability assessment and regional comparison. This discussion is followed by a conceptual representation of proposed RSAM and its application to various regions. Next, the article covers the data used and applied methods to test the proposed methodology and compare the two case study regions. The article concludes with a discussion of findings and recommendations for further application and testing.

Currently there is no universal sustainability assessment methodology, which would be applicable by policy-makers for identification of regional development paths, policies’ effectiveness and potential changes to sustainable development of regions. This paper reviews the best practices for sustainability assessment and identifies the needs of regional systems. Further, we propose the concept of regional sustainability assessment methodology (RSAM). It includes natural, social and economic capital transfer accounting through extended input–output tables and cyclicity analyses. RSAM reflects static and dynamic qualities of regional system for the assessment of development paths and policies effectiveness. Further methodological development of concept findings is needed.