Open Access

Following calls by international business scholars to pay attention to how multinational enterprises contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, we make implementable recommendations for international B2B partnerships in Africa. We postulate that international businesses can alleviate extreme poverty and eradicate child labor by selecting ethical African suppliers. Furthermore, partners must exercise transparency in how they adopt clean and environmentally sound technologies. We also highlight that partners should demonstrate flexibility and open-mindedness to African indigenous know-how and sustainable practices to facilitate knowledge-sharing. International B2B partners may consider our recommendations to guide the building of ethical and responsible businesses in Africa.

This article analyzes the Korean innovation system and presents suggestions for its further improvement on the basis of three other country models, that of the U.S., Japan and Germany. We suggest that innovation systems are embedded in their respective managerial, economic, socio-political, and ultimately cultural context and that those contextual factors exert a significant influence on a national innovation system. Furthermore, we propose that the influence of those contextual factors result in innovation systems that are either more transformational or incremental in nature. We conclude that Korea has (like Japan) due to its societal context a particular strength in incremental innovations but will increasingly need to build up its ability to generate also transformational innovations (a particular strength of the US model). Due to distinct differences in the societal context, it might be difficult, however, for Korea to follow the U.S. model. We suggest, therefore, that Korea might find some valuable lessons in the German innovation system, particularly regarding small and medium enterprises.

Brasilien gehört zu den aufstrebenden Wachstumsmärkten der Welt. Vieles spricht dafür, dass der größte Staat Südamerikas zu den wirtschaftlichen und politischen Führungsmächten der Zukunft zählt. Ein Grund mehr für deutsche Unternehmen, sich um ein erfolgreiches Management der Beziehungen zu brasilianischen Kunden zu kümmern.

In the following microchapter, the principle of recovery refers to waste as a source of energy. First, the role of waste management in the context of a circular economy transition is described with cross-sectoral impacts and the interconnectedness of waste treatment pathways with waste hierarchy stages and emissions reporting sectors. Then, circular economy policy frameworks integrated into existing management approaches of the EU member states are introduced, exemplifying policy instruments on a regional level, national level and EU-wide, ranging from legislation over economic incentives to voluntary tools. By understanding the specific sources of emissions and their allocation to different sectors, policymakers can better target interventions and initiatives to mitigate the environmental impact of waste. Finally, the Kalundborg Symbiosis is briefly introduced as a well-known example of an innovative waste recovery model. Successful industrial symbiosis relies on proactive collaboration, innovative solutions and supportive policies.

The principle of recycling encompasses the transformation of waste materials into reusable products or materials, while excluding energy recovery and the use of waste as a fuel. In this microchapter, recycling definitions are introduced, as well as the targets for the reduction of waste generation and recycling rates in the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union. Then, recycling measures from actors along the value chain illustrate that collaboration among stakeholders is crucial in creating robust and interconnected recycling systems that maximise resource recovery and minimise waste. Finally, the potential of new technologies along the entire recycling process is observed. A case study from AMP showcases systems that leverage machine learning to identify materials based on visual input, allowing for more effective separation of waste when combined with traditional sorting systems and robotics.