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The fertilizer industry (FI) is well known for its high energy needs, reliance on limited natural resources, and negative environmental impacts (EIs). The consumption of 14.2 billion tons (BT) of materials and the extraction of 1,580 tons of resources per acre are solely attributed to the FI. Because of FI's resource and energy-intensive nature, it becomes crucial for FI to adopt a Circular Economy (CE) to improve efficiency, energy, and resource reuse. However, FI needs to strengthen its progress toward CE adoption. The proposed study comprehends and examines the barriers that inhibit the adoption of CE in FI.

A total of 15 barriers obstructing the CE in FI are identified and categorized into seven different categories. The barriers were identified by performing a comprehensive literature review and expert input. The study employs the DEMATEL approach to analyze the barriers and establish a causal relationship between them.

The study reveals that the most significant challenge to implementing CE in FI is governmental restrictions, which are followed by a lack of awareness and understanding and a need for a steady supply of bulk materials. The results comprehensively comprehend the pivotal factors that jeopardize the CE in FI and furnish a robust foundation for the methodology and tactics to surmount the barriers to CE adoption.

The literature review encompasses the barriers to the transition to CE and offers management and policy perspectives that help the FI's policy and decision-makers surmount these barriers with future research endeavors.

This study aims to investigate the impact of conspicuous consumption on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Indian bottom of the pyramid (BOP) consumers.

This study followed a qualitative phenomenological approach. Focus group discussions were conducted with 72 Indian BOP consumers. Thematic analysis resulted in 21 categories and 9 themes.

This study revealed three distinct categories of consequences related to the effects of conspicuous consumption on SWB at the BOP. Conspicuous consumption can either enhance or diminish the BOP consumers’ SWB and sometimes even simultaneously have constructive and adverse effects (a double-edged sword). This study presents a conceptual model examining the consequences of conspicuous consumption at the BOP through the lenses of social comparison and compensatory consumption theories.

The literature has classified the consequences of conspicuous consumption at the BOP as constructive or adverse effects. This study reveals that conspicuous consumption at the BOP can be a double-edged sword. This study indicates that social comparison drives compensatory consumption at the BOP, which impacts the SWB of BOP consumers. Such an amalgamation of the theories of conspicuous consumption, social comparison and compensatory consumption is the unique contribution of this research. The implications for practice and policy are discussed.