Future images of data in circular economy for textiles

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openAccess

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Volume Title

A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä

Date

2022-09

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Language

en

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Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Volume 182

Abstract

Rapid expansion of digitalization and in the volume of data available constitutes a major driver toward circular economy. In the textile industry, with its vast quantities of waste and huge environmental impact, transformation toward such circularity is necessary but challenging. To explore how the use of data could support building sustainability-aligned pathways to circular economy of textiles, a study employing a two-round disaggregative Delphi approach (engaging 33 experts in the first round, in May 2021, and 26 in the second, in June 2021) articulated alternative images of the future. The three images, dubbed Transparency, Conflicting Interests, and Sustainable Textiles, imply that the role for data is intertwined with sustainability aspirations. The results highlight that exploiting data in pursuit of circular economy is a collaborative effort involving business value networks that include consumers and regulators. Availability and sharing of accountability-affording, meaningful data on textiles' life cycle and value network function as a key enabler. By working with the images developed, actors can better assess their circular-economy commitments, planned actions, and the consequences of these. Furthermore, the images provide a tool for mutual discussion of the development desired and of related responsibilities and uncertainties.

Description

Funding Information: The Metsämiesten Säätiö Foundation is gratefully acknowledged for funding Päivi Luoma's work in this research [grant numbers 20VE070MO , 21VE049KE ]. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)

Keywords

Circular economy, Data management, Delphi method, Digitalization, Future images, Textile industry

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Citation

Luoma, P, Penttinen, E, Tapio, P & Toppinen, A 2022, ' Future images of data in circular economy for textiles ', Technological Forecasting and Social Change, vol. 182, 121859 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121859