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Business Model Experimentation for the Circular Economy: Definition and Approaches

Author

Listed:
  • Nancy M. P. Bocken

    (Maastricht University
    Lund University, IIIEE)

  • Ilka Weissbrod

    (Leuphana University of Lüneburg, CSM)

  • Maria Antikainen

    (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland)

Abstract

Business model experimentation has been identified as a key driver for business competitiveness but is underexplored in the sustainability and circular economy spheres. What is business model experimentation for the circular economy? This study follows a two-step approach: a literature analysis followed by a qualitative practitioner study. Based on these, circular business model experimentation is defined as an iterative approach to develop and test circular value propositions in a real-life context with customers and stakeholders, starting with a shared goal. It involves rapid learning based on empirical data to provide evidence on the viability of circular value propositions. Iterations involve increased complexity of experiments. There is a learning focus on initiating wider transitions, such as transforming consumer behaviours for the circular economy. We visualise the emerging research landscape, including research streams from business, transitions, engineering, and design. Practically, we illuminate how practitioners view the concept and current experimentation tools and approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Nancy M. P. Bocken & Ilka Weissbrod & Maria Antikainen, 2021. "Business Model Experimentation for the Circular Economy: Definition and Approaches," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 49-81, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:1:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s43615-021-00026-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-021-00026-z
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    Cited by:

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    5. Jean Mansuy & Giulia Caterina Verga & Bonno Pel & Ahmed Z. Khan & Wouter Achten & Ela Callorda Fossati & Tom Bauler & Philippe Lebeau & Cathy Macharis, 2022. "Transitioning to a circular economy: Changing Business Models and Business Ecosystems," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/352023, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    6. Elizaveta Averina & Johan Frishammar & Vinit Parida, 2022. "Assessing sustainability opportunities for circular business models," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1464-1487, May.
    7. Chedrak Chembessi & Christophe Beaurain & Geneviève Cloutier, 2022. "Analyzing Technical and Organizational Changes in Circular Economy (CE) Implementation with a TOE Framework: Insights from a CE Project of Kamouraska (Quebec)," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(3), pages 915-936, September.
    8. Fenna Blomsma & Thomas Bauwens & Ilka Weissbrod & Julian Kirchherr, 2023. "The ‘need for speed’: Towards circular disruption—What it is, how to make it happen and how to know it's happening," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(3), pages 1010-1031, March.
    9. Päivi Petänen & Henna Sundqvist & Maria Antikainen, 2024. "Deconstructing Customer Value Propositions for the Circular Product-as-a-Service Business Model: A Case Study from the Textile Industry," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(3), pages 1631-1653, September.
    10. M. G. E. Velter & V. Bitzer & N. M. P. Bocken, 2022. "A Boundary Tool for Multi-stakeholder Sustainable Business Model Innovation," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(2), pages 401-431, June.
    11. Bocken, Nancy & Konietzko, Jan, 2022. "Circular business model innovation in consumer-facing corporations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    12. Viktoriya Prokhorova & Oleksandra Mrykhina & Orest Koleshchuk & Krystyna Slastianykova & Myroslav Harmatiy, 2023. "The holistic evaluation system of R&D results under the circular economy conditions," Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, PC TECHNOLOGY CENTER, vol. 6(13 (126)), pages 15-23, December.
    13. Michael Saidani & Harrison Kim, 2022. "Nexus Between Life Cycle Assessment, Circularity, and Sustainability Indicators—Part I: a Review," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(3), pages 1143-1156, September.
    14. Roberta Angelis, 2022. "Circular Economy Business Models: a Repertoire of Theoretical Relationships and a Research Agenda," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(2), pages 433-446, June.
    15. Pauline C. Reinecke & Jill A. Küberling-Jost & Thomas Wrona & Alice K. Zapf, 2023. "Towards a dynamic value network perspective of sustainable business models: the example of RECUP," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(4), pages 635-665, May.

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