Transforming from Linear to Circular Economy | KODECET Podcast with Prof. Dr. Harald Friedl, Austria

KODECET Podcast | The Future of Circular Economy: Growth, Regulation and System Transformation In this KODECET Podcast episode, Prof. Dr. Harald Friedl of FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Austria, reflects on the deeper transformation required to move from a linear economy towards a genuinely circular one. The discussion examines the consequences of the traditional take–make–dispose model and why circular economy should be understood not simply as recycling or resource efficiency, but as a broader transformation of economic and social systems. Prof. Friedl discusses the tensions created by continued economic growth, increasing resource consumption and environmental limits. His broader academic work similarly highlights the challenge of pursuing sustainability within systems built around continuous growth and finite natural resources. The conversation also explores the future of circular economy and the frameworks needed to support its implementation. Particular attention is given to the paradoxes and complexities of circular transformation: organisations and societies may support sustainability in principle while existing economic incentives, behaviours, regulations and institutional structures can simultaneously make change difficult. Another important theme is the role of regulation, standards and governance. Circular economy transition requires not only technological solutions but also appropriate rules, coordination, organisational change and institutional frameworks. This aligns with wider European circular-economy discussions in which standards and systemic barriers are recognised as important elements of successful transition. Key themes discussed Transition from the linear take–make–dispose economy Understanding the environmental and societal consequences of linear systems Circular economy as a process of system transformation Challenges created by fast-growing economies and increasing resource demand Limits of conventional economic growth The future direction of circular economy Frameworks for moving towards circular systems Circular-economy paradoxes and competing priorities Behavioural and organisational barriers to transformation Regulatory and institutional complexity The role of standards, governance and policy Moving from circular-economy ambition to practical implementation The episode provides a critical perspective for students, academics, policy actors and practitioners seeking to understand why the circular economy transition requires changes not only in technologies and products, but also in institutions, behaviour, governance and underlying economic structures. About the Guest Prof. Dr. Harald Friedl is an Associate Professor at FH JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences, Austria. A lawyer and philosopher by background, he has taught at FH JOANNEUM since 2003. His research and teaching address sustainable regional development, applied ethics, sustainability, organisational development and change management. He has also contributed to circular-economy and sustainability debates in Austria, including through the Circular Economy Forum Austria. About KODECET KODECET – Knowledge Development for Circular Economy Transition is an Erasmus+ funded international project connecting universities and students across Finland, Austria, India and Thailand. KODECET develops knowledge, skills and practical capabilities related to circular economy, sustainability, innovation and the green transition. The project is coordinated by the Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics (JSBE), University of Jyväskylä, Finland, in collaboration with: • FH JOANNEUM, Austria • BIRLA Institute of Management Technology – BIMTECH, India • Nirma University, India • Prince of Songkla University, Thailand • Payap University, Thailand Free KODECET Digital Learning Centres BIMTECH, India https://www.bimtech.ac.in/research/digi-su... Nirma University, India https://management.nirmauni.ac.in/manageme... Prince of Songkla University, Thailand https://mooc.kodecet.net/ Payap University, Thailand https://lms.csi.payap.ac.th/?redirect=0 KODECET Course 4 – Circularity in Supply Chains Access the complete course textbook free of charge: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-1710-5 Follow KODECET LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kodecet Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KODECET #KODECET #CircularEconomy #SystemChange #Sustainability #GreenTransition #LinearEconomy #CircularTransition #SustainableGrowth #CircularEconomyPolicy #Regulation #FHJOANNEUM #erasmusplus Music by AtlasAudio from Pixabay https://pixabay.com/users/atlasaudio-54514... https://pixabay.com/music//?utm_source=lin...