Title: Analysis of social dimension and well-being in the context of circular economy

Authors: Marta Nikonorova; Joshua Onome Imoniana; Jelena Stankeviciene

Addresses: Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, Vilnius 10221, Lithuania ' University of São Paulo, Prof. Luciano Gualberto Ave 908, FEA 3 Building Room 238, ZIP Code 05508-010, São Paulo, SP, Brazil ' Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Saulėtekio al. 11, Vilnius 10221, Lithuania

Abstract: Circular economy (CE) is based on environmental, economic and social dimensions which aims to ensure sustainable development on each step of product creation, transformation and conversion by creating a closed loop economy. The purpose of the article is to propose a concept of social dimension of the CE, apply and provide empirical evidence based on the data of Baltic Sea region countries. The study augmented for the models that include the analysis of the circular economy concept, necessary for the social pillar as part of it including: human well-being, healthy ageing, health and social justice. The multi-criteria decision methods MULTIMOORA and TOPSIS were used to assess the social dimension in the context of circular economy. Results reveal that the highest ranks of social aspect of circular economy were tagged to Denmark, Sweden and Finland for the periods of 2014-2017 and the weakest result belonged to Latvia. Findings are also useful to add to theoretical building and also evaluate the social aspect in the concept of circular economy.

Keywords: circular economy; sustainable development; social dimension; MULTIMOORA; TOPSIS; well-being.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2020.108678

International Journal of Global Warming, 2020 Vol.21 No.3, pp.299 - 316

Received: 02 Aug 2019
Accepted: 05 Feb 2020
Published online: 24 Jul 2020 *

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