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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:

    1. Roberta De Angelis & Robert Morgan & Luigi M. De Luca, 2023. "Open strategy and dynamic capabilities: A framework for circular economy business models research," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4861-4873, November.
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    3. Marcelo Werneck Barbosa, 2022. "A Critical Appraisal of Review Studies in Circular Economy: a Tertiary Study," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(2), pages 473-505, June.
    4. Giulia Goffetti & Daniel Böckin & Henrikke Baumann & Anne‐Marie Tillman & Thomas Zobel, 2022. "Towards sustainable business models with a novel life cycle assessment method," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 2019-2035, July.
    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.
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    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. 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.
    10. Bocken, Nancy & Konietzko, Jan, 2022. "Circular business model innovation in consumer-facing corporations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    11. 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.
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    14. 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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