E-wastes and a global value chain. A study on smartphone

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2019 in the subject Business economics - Economic Policy, grade: A, University of Dhaka, course: Business Strategy, language: English, abstract: This paper presents a study on Smartphone generated E-wastes with the primary vision of turning this lethal pollutant into a competitive advantage. It shows a developed A2Z strategic model that will streamline a holistic value proposition for the complete management of Smartphone generated E-wastes. The A2Z strategic model is a three-step guideline across the three core value chain of E-wastes: Assembly, Branding and Zero-Economy. The essence of this strategy is to target parts of the value chain separately and design solutions keeping a sustainable competitive advantage in priority all the time. This model integrates all previous suggested strategies into one whole model and can be replicated to all other electronics industry in Bangladesh.
Electronic waste (e-waste) are discarded electrical devices like Smartphones, Laptops, Monitors and other forms of consumer electronics. The government of Bangladesh is trying to impose strict measures to stop the meteoric rise of e-waste, which is projected to amount to 46.2 Lac tons by 2035, mobile handsets being one of the notable contributors. A staggering 135 million units of mobile devices were left unrecycled in 2010 alone.

The industry analysis showed a movement towards the controlling of the present situation of E-waste through stringent policies and Government compliance. Technological breakthrough from innovating brands have fast-forwarded the route of the E-waste management strategy. The role of government is significant, and through the porter's diamond model, it is portrayed both as a catalyst and as a challenger. Although governments cannot create competitive industries, it can play an important role in encouraging and push companies to reach higher levels.