Challenges of demographic changes and digitalization on eco-innovation and the circular economy: Qualitative insights from companies

The overuse of natural resources through excessive consumptions has led to environmental problems. As a result, there have been calls for more sustainable, circular and digital future. Research on the topics eco-innovations economy made significant headways toward identifying sustainable solutions, however, influence demographic changes digitization remain underexplored. Therefore, current study investigates how effect business practices related economy. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with ten companies in Slovenia that actively adopt develop eco-innovations, moreover employ principles These semi-structured specifically explore impact digitalization eco-innovation these impacts enable development Results suggest adjusting their products services meet changing demands from trends. Relatedly, allowed them create new optimize existing ones ways, i.e., having less harmful effects environment. Specifically, gave better control over process, increasing transparency, control, manageability technological process way reduced energy consumption lessoned impact. results integrated literature identify insights adoption implementation