TY - JOUR
T1 - Technology heterogeneity and efficiency of China's circular economic systems
T2 - A game meta-frontier DEA approach
AU - Sun, Jiasen
AU - Li, Guo
AU - Wang, Zhaohua
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2019/7
Y1 - 2019/7
N2 - China is vigorously developing a circular economy to alleviate environmental degradation and resource shortages. In a circular economic system, resource recovery and pollutant treatment are core subsystems. To improve resource utilization efficiencies and reduce pollutant emissions in the circular economic system, this study first proposes a comprehensive model using game theory and a data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. Then, to identify the technology gaps between circular economic systems, the study proposes a game meta-frontier DEA model. The proposed models are then applied to evaluate the circular economic systems in China's different provinces from 2007 to 2016. The results show a continuing conflict between economic growth, environmental protection, and resource recycling in China. In addition, the efficiency of pollution treatment and waste disposal (PTWD) and the production efficiency of the circular economic systems differ when different frontiers are applied. The improvement direction and potential efficiencies also differ. The production technology and PTWD technology in Eastern China are the highest, while the technology levels in Western China are the lowest. Based on management potential and technological potential, the circular economic systems in China are divided into four categories. For each category, this study provides the specific recommendations for improving production/PTWD efficiency.
AB - China is vigorously developing a circular economy to alleviate environmental degradation and resource shortages. In a circular economic system, resource recovery and pollutant treatment are core subsystems. To improve resource utilization efficiencies and reduce pollutant emissions in the circular economic system, this study first proposes a comprehensive model using game theory and a data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. Then, to identify the technology gaps between circular economic systems, the study proposes a game meta-frontier DEA model. The proposed models are then applied to evaluate the circular economic systems in China's different provinces from 2007 to 2016. The results show a continuing conflict between economic growth, environmental protection, and resource recycling in China. In addition, the efficiency of pollution treatment and waste disposal (PTWD) and the production efficiency of the circular economic systems differ when different frontiers are applied. The improvement direction and potential efficiencies also differ. The production technology and PTWD technology in Eastern China are the highest, while the technology levels in Western China are the lowest. Based on management potential and technological potential, the circular economic systems in China are divided into four categories. For each category, this study provides the specific recommendations for improving production/PTWD efficiency.
KW - Circular economy
KW - Game theory
KW - Meta-frontier
KW - Pollution treatment and waste disposal
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063871275&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.03.046
DO - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.03.046
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85063871275
SN - 0921-3449
VL - 146
SP - 337
EP - 347
JO - Resources, Conservation and Recycling
JF - Resources, Conservation and Recycling
ER -
