Economics

A new study reveals that circular economy systems lose efficiency as they expand geographically, due to regulatory mismatches, logistics bottlenecks, and inconsistent practices. The finding challenges the assumption that circular manufacturing is primarily a technical problem—and suggests companies need institutional coordination, not just better recycling technology, to scale sustainably.EN

A new study of five Swedish circular economy entrepreneurs reveals they excel at raising capital and telling their story, yet struggle with the same core operational challenges as traditional businesses. The finding suggests that investor enthusiasm for circular models may outpace the actual business fundamentals needed to scale them profitably.EN

A new study of Swedish municipalities reveals that HR departments can drive social sustainability through five concrete levers: prioritizing employee well-being, training managers for long-term thinking, investing in learning, building inclusive cultures, and navigating competing interests. The finding positions HR as essential infrastructure for sustainable business—not a support function.EN

A new cross-country analysis reveals that inflation-targeting policies—the go-to playbook for central banks worldwide—deliver stronger financial stability in developed economies but leave emerging markets vulnerable to shocks. The finding suggests policymakers in developing nations need tailored strategies beyond standard inflation targets to protect their financial systems.EN

A new study reveals how external consultants help organizations break free from entrenched thinking by applying specific reasoning methods during early innovation work. The finding matters because many companies struggle in the ideation phase—and the research shows exactly which expert approaches unlock breakthrough reframing.EN

A sweeping analysis of 3,100+ companies reveals that corporate social responsibility investments actually harm shareholder returns—unless firms simultaneously develop new products. The finding upends conventional wisdom that CSR boosts value, and suggests companies are mislabeling operational risk management as strategic advantage.EN

Researchers have developed a statistical model that more accurately predicts fluctuations in stored energy and other bounded variables critical to infrastructure planning. The advance could help utilities and grid operators better forecast supply constraints and optimize operations in volatile renewable energy systems.EN

A new study reveals that solving major problems—from climate change to inequality—hinges on how companies and institutions deliberate together across departments and sectors. By linking decision-making with moral reasoning, researchers offer managers and policymakers a practical framework for coordinating action when stakes are highest and disagreement is inevitable.EN

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system that outperforms traditional methods at forecasting real estate taxes by using advanced machine learning techniques to identify which property factors matter most. The breakthrough could help property owners and governments better plan budgets and set fair tax assessments across diverse markets.EN

New research quantifies how economic globalization shifts income distribution within countries, with some workers gaining while others fall behind. The findings matter for policymakers designing tax and trade policy, and for businesses understanding workforce dynamics in an interconnected world.EN

A new study of Swedish battery maker Northvolt's rise and 2025 bankruptcy reveals a sobering truth: regional development strategies can't overcome global power imbalances. The research warns policymakers and investors that subsidizing individual firms without building deeper local capabilities often fails—a lesson critical as Europe races to secure battery supply chains.EN

A new paper examines the structural fault lines of housing inequality, moving beyond single-cause explanations to understand how gentrification, tourism, and financial speculation interact to reshape cities. For policymakers and investors, the findings suggest that isolated interventions—rent controls, zoning reforms—may miss the deeper systemic drivers reshaping urban housing markets.EN

Researchers found that a region's informal economy can be forecast using data from neighboring areas, with machine learning models outperforming traditional methods. The finding offers governments and tax authorities a new tool to track underground economic activity—worth billions globally—without relying solely on direct measurement.EN

Researchers trained a deep learning model on 90,000 resumes to forecast how long employees will stay in their jobs, achieving near-perfect predictive accuracy. The breakthrough could help companies cut costly turnover and hire smarter—but raises questions about fairness when algorithms screen candidates based on career patterns.EN

A new study of the EU's landmark corporate due diligence directive finds that transparency requirements alone won't force better behavior—companies need clear reporting standards, working accountability systems, and meaningful stakeholder input. Without these conditions, the regulation risks becoming compliance theater.EN

A new study identifies the framework policymakers need to evaluate what makes regions competitive: natural resources, infrastructure, workforce, and institutions working together. The research shows that static development plans fail because regional potential shifts constantly, demanding ongoing monitoring and tailored strategies for different areas rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.EN

A systematic review of 51 studies reveals that aircraft makers face major gaps in capabilities needed to build greener planes—from design processes to team communication. The findings come as aviation emissions are projected to double by 2050, making sustainable product development urgent for both regulators and manufacturers seeking competitive advantage.EN

A new study of small manufacturers reveals that circular economy transitions create conflicting demands that pull organizations in opposite directions—requiring companies to balance cost-cutting with innovation, speed with sustainability. Understanding these tensions is critical for businesses and policymakers designing transition strategies that actually work.EN

A new study of a Sri Lankan hotel chain reveals how companies strategically adopt sustainability practices to boost their reputation rather than for genuine impact. The finding suggests businesses may be gaming sustainability standards—a critical insight for regulators and investors trying to separate authentic commitments from corporate image laundering.EN

A new study of 3,394 U.S. manufacturers found that companies pursuing ESG goals without first building operational excellence—consistent adoption of best practices across the business—see no performance gains. The finding explains why ESG investments often disappoint: sustainability works only when embedded in how firms actually operate.EN

A new study traces how a Finnish company transformed from a consulting firm into a software-as-a-service provider and then into an industry platform—revealing critical decisions about which internal functions to keep versus outsource. The findings offer roadmaps for established businesses seeking to enter the lucrative platform economy without losing competitive advantage.EN

A new study identifies two practical approaches for leaders coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives—a challenge growing more common as firms collaborate on sustainability and digital transformation. The research offers concrete strategies for maintaining alignment when organizations with competing interests must work together toward shared goals.EN

**Många digitaliseringsprojekt når inte sitt agilt mål — för att de aldrig använder ordet "agilt"** Företag implementerar agila principper medan de medvetet undviker agil vokabulär. Denna "pragmatiska avmärkning" gör att traditionella mätningar av agil adoption blir opålitliga, visar en studie från Linnaeus Universitet baserad på intervjuer med tre erfarna praktiker i Europa och Mellanöstern. Fenomenet uppstår när organisationer stöter på motstånd mot agila ramverk. Istället för att trotsa institutionella barriärer implementerar de agil arbetssätt under neutral terminologi — vilket gör att de löser problemen utan att säga ordet "agilt". Studien avslöjar en kritisk validitetsfråga: När konsultanter och ledare mäter agil adoption genom ramverksvokabulär, räknar de ofta ceremonisk överensstämmelse, inte faktisk praktik. För investerare och CFO:er betyder detta att adoptiontalen är missvisande. Verkliga förändringar kan dölja sig bakom andra namn än förväntat.

A new analysis of 2007–2023 data from Chinese listed companies reveals a counterintuitive pattern: firms ramp up green innovation spending during periods of economic policy uncertainty. The finding suggests corporate leaders see sustainability investments not just as an environmental imperative, but as a strategic hedge against macroeconomic turbulence.EN

A new study finds that family-owned businesses that internationalize early gain competitive advantages — but only when they hire non-family managers to lead the charge. The finding has major implications for succession planning and talent recruitment in the millions of family firms that dominate economies worldwide.EN