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Circular Economy Pathways for Enhancing Competitiveness in a Sustainable Future

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 378

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor

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Guest Editor
Liverpool Hope Business School, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool L16 9JD, UK
Interests: climate change adaptation for transport infrastructures; container inventory management; supply chain carbon footprint; sustainable transportation practices
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The circular economy (CE) is emerging as a key strategy for achieving global sustainability, aiming to decouple economic growth from resource consumption and reduce environmental impacts. By shifting from a linear "take–make–dispose" model to one that emphasizes reuse, recycle, and regenerate, the circular economy offers opportunities for both environmental protection and economic competitiveness. In essence, the circular economy is not just an environmental strategy but also a driver for economic growth and competitiveness in the era of global sustainability transitions. By embracing circularity, countries and businesses can position themselves as leaders in a resource-efficient and sustainable future.

Approaches of Interest:

Papers submitted to this Special Issue may cover a wide range of topics related to the circular economy and competitiveness in the era of global sustainability transitions, such as the following:

  • Circular economy in the era of global sustainability transition;
  • Circular economy, reuse, recycle, and regenerate;
  • Resource efficient and sustainable future;
  • Resource consumption and production in achieving the SDGs.

Dr. Yui-Yip Lau
Dr. Mark Ching-Pong Poo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • circular economy
  • global sustainability
  • reuse
  • recycle
  • regenerate
  • sustainable future
  • resource consumption
  • SDGs

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 420 KB  
Article
Why Chinese Consumers Buy Pre-Loved Luxury Fashion: The Mediating Role of Channel Engagement
by Hui Liu, Ioannis Kostopoulos, Mark Ching-Pong Poo and Yui-yip Lau
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010026 - 19 Dec 2025
Viewed by 171
Abstract
The rapid rise of the pre-loved luxury fashion market in China reflects a unique shift in consumer behaviour, shaped by growing concerns for sustainability, affordability, and personal expression. While global scholarship on circular fashion has expanded, studies remain predominantly focused on Western consumers, [...] Read more.
The rapid rise of the pre-loved luxury fashion market in China reflects a unique shift in consumer behaviour, shaped by growing concerns for sustainability, affordability, and personal expression. While global scholarship on circular fashion has expanded, studies remain predominantly focused on Western consumers, leaving Chinese market dynamics underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining the motivations and channel engagement of Chinese consumers purchasing pre-loved luxury fashion, including pre-owned, vintage, and collectors’ items. A sequential mixed-methods design was employed, integrating quantitative data from a survey of 438 Chinese consumers with qualitative insights from 21 semi-structured interviews. Structural equation modelling revealed that economic, individual, and social motivations significantly influenced perceived value, which in turn enhanced engagement with resale channels. Functional motivations, though present, played a less prominent role. Furthermore, engagement with online and offline channels, including social media platforms, livestream commerce, and luxury consignment boutiques, was found to mediate the relationship between perceived value and purchase intention. The study contributes to theory by adapting established luxury value frameworks to the pre-loved context and by introducing channel engagement as a mediating construct in the consumption of second-hand luxury fashion. The main theoretical frameworks that underpin the study, such as the Brand Luxury Index and the Four Value Dimensions, are used to provide a clearer understanding of its conceptual foundation. In particular, some key quantitative indicators, such as β-values or R2, would make the summary more specific and informative. Practically, the findings provide actionable insights for platform operators and luxury brands seeking to build consumer trust and enhance experiential value in China’s rapidly evolving resale market. By situating the research within a culturally specific and digitally advanced retail environment, the study broadens understanding of circular luxury fashion consumption in non-Western contexts. Full article
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