Date of Conferral

6-26-2024

Date of Award

June 2024

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Elisabeth Musil

Abstract

Increased consumer demand for the latest electrical and electronic technology and products has increased the amount of consumer and manufacturer-generated e-waste, leading to collection, handling, disposal, and environmental issues across the United States. Grounded in Bass’s curve theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that southern United States company leaders used to recover funds from the disposal of e-waste. The participants included 13 leaders from 13 organizations in the solid waste recycling industry. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and peer-reviewed articles. Data analysis included occurrence frequency, with five themes emerging: (a) communication, (b) handling methods, (c) selling materials, (d) labor/employment, and (e) policies. A key recommendation is for company leaders to use marketing or advertising tactics and cold calls to reach potential customers. The implications for positive social change include reducing the amount of e-waste deposited in landfills and decreasing the potential for poisonous materials to leach into groundwater.

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