Dr. Tetiana Gorokhova, visiting scholar at CAIS, conducted a study on circular economy (CE) in Ukraine. Her research aims to explore the main benefits and obstacles of applying digitalization in CE business models in Ukraine, focusing on identifying opportunities and challenges and finding ways to overcome them. The study involved 36 online interviews with participants – including business representatives, researchers, NGOs, and students – during a thematic Erasmus+ training course held in Ukraine in December 2023. The results highlight digitalization as a key driver of Ukraine’s shift to a circular economy, while also outlining the challenges faced.
Abstract
Digitalization can contribute to the shift towards a sustainable circular economy (CE). Digitalization not only refines business processes but also emphasizes waste curtailment, prolonging product life, and slashing transaction costs. Therefore, digitalization supports the growth of circular economy business models by aiding in closing the loop, decelerating the material cycle, and narrowing the cycle by improving the efficiency of resource utilization. However, fully leveraging this integration presents challenges, with clear gaps hindering the fluid adoption of digitalbacked circular business models. Despite its significance, there’s a dearth of comprehensive literature on digitalization’s potential and challenges. This research aims to explore the main benefits and obstacles of applying digitalization in CE business models in Ukraine, focusing on identifying opportunities and challenges and finding ways to overcome these hurdles. […]
Full abstract and paper available as open access publication
Gorokhova, T. (2025). Digitalisation: Catalysing the Transition to a Circular Economy in Ukraine. In I. Bartuseviciene, B. Antanas, A. Karasavvoglou & P. Polychronidou (Eds.), Building Resilience Through Digital Transformation and Sustainable Innovation, 17th International Conference Economies of the Balkan and Eastern European Countries (EBEEC 2025). Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics (pp. 129–143). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90054-9_9