Internet of Things (IoT)-Enabled accountability in source separation of household waste for a circular economy in China

Wang, B., Farooque, M., Zhong, R. Y., Zhang, A. and Liu, Y. (2021) Internet of Things (IoT)-Enabled accountability in source separation of household waste for a circular economy in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 300, 126773. (doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126773)

Abstract

Source separation is regarded as a best practice for sustainable waste management, which is essential for a transition to a circular economy to recover value from waste. However, its implementation in China has faced many difficulties which are primarily inherent in the public’s behaviour towards source separation of household waste. Based on multiple cases of innovative use of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in China in recent years, this study establishes the concept of IoT-enabled accountability in household waste source separation by utilising the lens of accountability theory. Moreover, this research advances several propositions on the multiple dimensions of accountability mechanism to influence user behaviours. The study’s findings provide guidance to governments, technology providers and waste management organisations on the use of IoT-based technological solutions for sustainable waste management. It stimulates future research on the use of IoT technologies in managing people’s behaviour in a range of contexts beyond waste management alone. The study contributes to the growing literature on smart waste management.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work is supported by the National Social Science Fund of China (No. 19BGL090). The authors also appreciate the support from Seed Fund for Basic Research in the University of Hong Kong (201906159001).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zhang, Dr Abraham
• Authors: Wang, B., Farooque, M., Zhong, R. Y., Zhang, A., and Liu, Y.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Journal of Cleaner Production
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0959-6526
• Published Online: 02 April 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Journal of Cleaner Production 300:126773
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy