Bridging Talent Barrier Through the Lenses of Circularity Principles

Abstract

Circularity, or the circular economy, uses systems and business models to redirect waste into profitable uses. It also extends the lifespan of materials and products. Significant economic impact requires multidisciplinary talent to identify new challenges and implement innovation. The stagnating performance of youth worldwide highlights the need to redesign education for circular talent management. While emerging economies have topped various global metrics, countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand still face declines in key performance indicators (KPI). This study analyses international indices related to industrial performance (innovation and responsible operations) and capacity-building investments, correlating them with the teaching and learning culture versus the global youth performance indicator, using a mixed-methods approach. A qualitative analysis of expert capacity-building materials and a comparative analysis of the Global Innovation Index (GII) and Environmental Protection Index (EPI) as predictors for responsible operations reveal that high-achieving nations in the Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) 2022 also champion the GII and EPI. The indices both shape and are shaped by talent development. As circularity accounts for a significant portion of capacity-building materials, the findings underscore the importance of leveraging foundational skills to mitigate talent barriers and implementing resource-efficient processes towards achieving GII and EPI. In essence, the outcome marks circularity principles as the promising route for sustainable human capital, technology, and planetary growth.