Prioritizing Barriers to Circular Economy Implementation in Toy Industry using Analytical Hierarchy Process

Abstract

The transition towards a circular economy has gained considerable attention as a promising strategy to mitigate environmental degradation and resource depletion. This study aims to prioritize barriers to circular economy implementation within the toy industry using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology, driven by the need to identify and address obstacles hindering circular practices in a sector notable for its environmental impact and waste production. The methodology included a comprehensive literature review to identify relevant barriers, expert consultation, and AHP analysis to assign weights and ranks to each factor. The study identified and ranked factors influencing circular economy implementation based on their relative importance. Key findings highlight Lack of Collaboration (weight 0.351), Limited Market Demand (weight 0.109), and Economic Viability (weight 0.092) as primary barriers, with Lack of Infrastructure and Supply Chain Complexity also emerging as critical challenges. These findings emphasize the need for collaborative efforts, innovative solutions, and robust regulatory frameworks to overcome these barriers and promote sustainable practices in the industry. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to develop targeted strategies and initiatives for fostering circular economy principles in the toy industry. The novelty of this research lies in its application of the AHP methodology to systematically assess and rank barriers to circular economy implementation in a specific sector, offering a replicable framework for similar analyses in other industries.