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Scalar terms, such as “local” and “global,” “big” and “small” are fundamental in how academics and practitioners make sense of and respond to grand challenges. Yet, scale is so taken-for-granted that we rarely question or critically reflect on the concept and how it is used. The aim of this paper is to identify scale as an important concept in research on grand challenges and to point out why taking scale for granted can be problematic. In particular, I suggest that to date most research on grand challenges sees scale as a fundamental ontological feature of the world. Yet, scalar categories and hierarchies are not as self-evident and given as they may seem. Moreover, taking scale as an ontological fixed category limits our ability to make sense of, theorize and respond to grand challenges. As an alternative, I suggest seeing scale as an epistemological frame that participants employ in their everyday practices to make sense of, navigate and develop solutions to grand challenges. The chapter concludes with a research agenda for studying scale as socially constructed in practice.

This chapter highlights how implementing circular economy principles can help companies working with sustainability to move from a reductionist and waste management approach to marketing competitive circular value propositions that intentionally design out waste (e.g. emissions and pollution) by rethinking, reinventing and redesigning the value chain. Schijvens, a Dutch family-owned corporate fashion textile company, acts as a case for exemplifying successful implementation of circular economy principles as a marketing strategy in a sector that struggles with finding solutions to the ethical challenges of producing and marketing textile fashion. The textile industry has, for many years, been accused of production that is based on environmentally harmful processes and conditions that are not socially fair. Circular economy principles provide a range of suggestions to address the ethical challenges occurring from covering the human needs of having clothes to wear. Yet, implementing circular economy principles is not a panacea. It is not only a question of delivering a technological quick fix but also a question of managing the new processes and human mindset guiding the actions in the value chain. This chapter, therefore, outlines reasons for a different perspective on the traditional linear value chain and related implications managers face when undertaking a journey from sustainability based on a reductionist approach to a closed-loop approach. It is argued that implementing circular economy principles by pro-actively managing the value chain processes based on eco-centric dynamic capabilities can provide even more radical changes than the incremental reductionist approach often associated with being a green sustainable company.

Purpose – In this study, the possibility of the application of rice husks for adsorbing Mn(II) ion in the water phase has been studied.

Design/Methodology/Approach – Experimental studies have been initiated by preparing activated carbon from rice husks. The activation of rice husks was done using both physical and chemical treatment methods through heating at 110 °C and washing with citric acid activator at 0.2 M, 0.4 M, and 0.6 M. The adsorption tests were conducted as two part tests: preliminary and primary. The preliminary test was conducted to choose the best condition of four independent variables, i.e., contact time (0–120 minutes), activator concentrations (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 M), initial Mn(II) concentrations (10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/L), and adsorption temperatures (30, 47, and 67 °C).

Findings – By identifying the substituted groups using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy after activation with citric acid, it was found that the highest transmittance percentage was present in activated carbon with 0.2 M of citric acid. The best adsorption capacity and efficiency was 13.87 mg/g and 79.60%, respectively, which were obtained at 200 mg/L initial concentration with a 0.2 M citric acid concentration for 120 min contact time at 47 °C. These results lead to a conclusion that rice husks after activation with citric acid can be applied as an adsorbent for Mn(II) adsorption in the water phase.

Research Limitations/Implications – The activated carbon produced was only applicable for the adsorption of Mn(II) ions from the water phase, but not applicable for the adsorption of other heavy metals ions.

Practical Implications – Rice husks were potentially prepared as an adsorbent for Mn(II) ion adsorption in the water phase that was low cost, environmental friendly, and easy to prepare.

Originality/Value – Activated carbon prepared from biomass was mostly carried out using acids at high concentrations while the study was conducted using weak acids (citric acid) at low concentrations.

Purpose – To predict the existence of the aquifer, search the location, position, thickness, deep and dissemination of subsurface aquifer and predict the environmental condition by conducting the groundwater/aquifer condition.

Design/Methodology/Approach – The way to know the state of groundwater aquifers, one of which is the Geo-electric Method by using the Resistivity Schlumberger Method.

Findings – Pouple activities are not many effects to the groundwater but more time depend on the development, it can many influences to environmental conditions.

Research Limitations/Implications – The analysis is conducted to every point but on this research, it is on mentioned and taken from one sample only, it is HPR.

Practical Implications – In anticipation the effect of the development of the region in general, it is necessary to be able businesses for raw water, irrigation and Industry of the groundwater can be as well as how to control over the distribution and causes of infiltration into the soil.

Originality/Value – That is by measuring the resistivity and mapping dealer spread a layer of groundwater (aquifers) that an overview of the groundwater can be known.

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine the diversity of macrozoobenthos as well as its relationship with water quality and substrate in the pond culture area.

Design/Methodology/Approach – The method of sampling area is on five observation stations by purposive sampling. The research was done indirectly (ex situ) for macrozoobenthic identification at the Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Findings – The fairness/uniformity index obtained from the five research stations ranging from 0.483 to 0.923 indicates a high degree of uniformity. This indicates that the macrozoobenthos biological index at the study site can be used as an indicator that water quality is in good condition and has the potential to be developed into an aquaculture area as well as supporting the success of the shrimp farming as one of the sub-systems of the shrimp agribusiness.

Research Limitations/Implications – This research can be a source of information for the management and utilization of environment in the research area, so that shrimp harvest can be optimized in the pond farming area.

Originality/Value – This research has found that macrozoobenthos included 61 species.

Purpose – This study aims to obtain the best lipid content in locally isolated microalga that grows in palm oil mill effluent (POME).

Design/Methodology/Approach – Microalgae were cultured in POME with 25% dilution (LP₂₅), 50% (LP₅₀), and no dilution (LP) in 1,500 ml glass vessel at room temperature using a lighting intensity of 13,000 lux and continuous aeration for 24 hours and 12 hours, respectively. The biomass (in dry weight) of microalgae was analyzed daily by means of spectrophotometry using 624 nm wavelength to determine their growth.

Findings – The results showed that the acclimatized growth of microalgae in POME media adapted faster to the POME concentration. Acclimatized biomass content tends to increase to 1.014 g/L, while the content of non-acclimatized biomass reached only 0.752 g/L. Lipid content resulting from the direct extraction process using the modified Bligh and Dyer method provided the best yield of 47% in the microalgae grown in the LP₅₀ POME medium.

Research Limitations/Implications – Lipid was produced from locally isolated microalgae cultured in POME medium with 25% dilution (LP₂₅), 50% (LP₅₀), and no dilution (LP).

Practical Implications – The lipid produced had the potential for biodiesel energy.

Originality/Value – In this study, microalga was used not only to treat POME liquid wastes but also to produce lipids as biodiesel energy potentials.