IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/circec/v5y2025i2d10.1007_s43615-024-00460-9.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mission-Oriented Research and Theory of Change: Driving Australia’s Transition to a Circular Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Heinz Schandl

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Naomi J Boxall

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Colleen MacMillan

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Natasha Porter

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Andrew Terhorst

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Taryn Kong

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Andrea Walton

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Melissa Skidmore

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Bev Muhlhausler

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Jane Hodgkinson

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

  • Michael Ambrose

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO))

Abstract

Australia’s linear economic system hinders the collective pursuit of sustainability, equity, and well-being. As demands for housing, food, energy, transportation, and goods escalate, transitioning to a circular economy becomes imperative. Such a transition necessitates a transformation in business and governance models, as well as cultural shifts, to foster sustainable material flows. The proposed change will likely unfold in five phases: envisioning a circular economy future, evaluating options and trade-offs, initiating local actions, amplifying national efforts, and solidifying global agreements. This shift will occur within the context of significant technical, environmental, social, and economic megatrends, and each phase is likely to overlap with the next, with some phases occurring concomitantly and ongoing. It will reshape socio-technical systems and social practices that fulfil our essential needs. Moreover, this transformation process is inherently circular, characterised by continuous cycles of learning, adaptation, and risk management.

Suggested Citation

  • Heinz Schandl & Naomi J Boxall & Colleen MacMillan & Natasha Porter & Andrew Terhorst & Taryn Kong & Andrea Walton & Melissa Skidmore & Bev Muhlhausler & Jane Hodgkinson & Michael Ambrose, 2025. "Mission-Oriented Research and Theory of Change: Driving Australia’s Transition to a Circular Economy," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(2), pages 837-850, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:5:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s43615-024-00460-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s43615-024-00460-9
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s43615-024-00460-9
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s43615-024-00460-9?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shove, Elizabeth & Walker, Gordon, 2010. "Governing transitions in the sustainability of everyday life," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(4), pages 471-476, May.
    2. John Harlow & Erik Johnston & Eric Hekler & Zoë Yeh, 2018. "Fostering Sustainability Transitions by Designing for the Convergence of Policy Windows and Transition Arenas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Alessio Miatto & Nargessadat Emami & Kylie Goodwin & James West & Mohammad Sadegh Taskhiri & Thomas Wiedmann & Heinz Schandl, 2024. "Australia's circular economy metrics and indicators," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(2), pages 216-231, April.
    4. Røpke, Inge, 2009. "Theories of practice -- New inspiration for ecological economic studies on consumption," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(10), pages 2490-2497, August.
    5. Janine Mügge & Anne Seegrün & Tessa-Katharina Hoyer & Theresa Riedelsheimer & Kai Lindow, 2024. "Digital Twins within the Circular Economy: Literature Review and Concept Presentation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-22, March.
    6. Mariana Mazzucato, 2016. "From market fixing to market-creating: a new framework for innovation policy," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(2), pages 140-156, February.
    7. Daniel W. O’Neill & Andrew L. Fanning & William F. Lamb & Julia K. Steinberger, 2018. "A good life for all within planetary boundaries," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(2), pages 88-95, February.
    8. Geels, Frank W., 2004. "From sectoral systems of innovation to socio-technical systems: Insights about dynamics and change from sociology and institutional theory," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(6-7), pages 897-920, September.
    9. Geels, Frank W. & Schot, Johan, 2007. "Typology of sociotechnical transition pathways," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 399-417, April.
    10. Mariana Mazzucato & Rainer Kattel & Josh Ryan-Collins, 2020. "Challenge-Driven Innovation Policy: Towards a New Policy Toolkit," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 421-437, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Thomas Magnusson & Viktor Werner, 2023. "Conceptualisations of incumbent firms in sustainability transitions: Insights from organisation theory and a systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(2), pages 903-919, February.
    2. Fabíola Sostmeyer Polita & Lívia Madureira, 2021. "Transition Pathways of Agroecological Innovation in Portugal’s Douro Wine Region. A Multi-Level Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-20, March.
    3. Chen, Kaihua & Xue, Zehua & Guo, Rui & Ning, Lutao, 2025. "The holistic role of multi-level government in transformative innovation process: Theoretical framework and evidence from China," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    4. Christopher M. Chini & James F. Canning & Kelsey L. Schreiber & Joshua M. Peschel & Ashlynn S. Stillwell, 2017. "The Green Experiment: Cities, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-21, January.
    5. Svensson, Oscar & Nikoleris, Alexandra, 2018. "Structure reconsidered: Towards new foundations of explanatory transitions theory," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 462-473.
    6. Francisco Chicombo, Adélia Filosa & Musango, Josephine Kaviti, 2022. "Towards a theoretical framework for gendered energy transition at the urban household level: A case of Mozambique," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    7. Manning, Stephan & Reinecke, Juliane, 2016. "A modular governance architecture in-the-making: How transnational standard-setters govern sustainability transitions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 618-633.
    8. Verena Radinger-Peer & Gesa Pflitsch & Helga Kanning & Daniel Schiller, 2021. "Establishing the Regional Sustainable Developmental Role of Universities—From the Multilevel-Perspective (MLP) and Beyond," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-21, June.
    9. Contesse, Maria & Duncan, Jessica & Legun, Katharine & Klerkx, Laurens, 2021. "Unravelling non-human agency in sustainability transitions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    10. Jørgensen, Ulrik, 2012. "Mapping and navigating transitions—The multi-level perspective compared with arenas of development," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 996-1010.
    11. Sangeetha Chandrashekeran, 2016. "Multidimensionality and the multilevel perspective: Territory, scale, and networks in a failed demand-side energy transition in Australia," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 48(8), pages 1636-1656, August.
    12. Ford, Rebecca & Walton, Sara & Stephenson, Janet & Rees, David & Scott, Michelle & King, Geoff & Williams, John & Wooliscroft, Ben, 2017. "Emerging energy transitions: PV uptake beyond subsidies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 138-150.
    13. Huguenin, Ariane & Jeannerat, Hugues, 2017. "Creating change through pilot and demonstration projects: Towards a valuation policy approach," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 624-635.
    14. Fuenfschilling, Lea & Truffer, Bernhard, 2014. "The structuration of socio-technical regimes—Conceptual foundations from institutional theory," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(4), pages 772-791.
    15. Markard, Jochen & Raven, Rob & Truffer, Bernhard, 2012. "Sustainability transitions: An emerging field of research and its prospects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 955-967.
    16. van Welie, Mara J. & Cherunya, Pauline C. & Truffer, Bernhard & Murphy, James T., 2018. "Analysing transition pathways in developing cities: The case of Nairobi's splintered sanitation regime," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 259-271.
    17. Chan, Tommy H.Y., 2025. "How does bike-sharing enable (or not) resilient cities, communities, and individuals? Conceptualising transport resilience from the socio-ecological and multi-level perspective," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 247-261.
    18. Klerkx, Laurens & Begemann, Stephanie, 2020. "Supporting food systems transformation: The what, why, who, where and how of mission-oriented agricultural innovation systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    19. Marcel Bednarz & Tom Broekel, 2020. "Pulled or pushed? The spatial diffusion of wind energy between local demand and supply," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 29(4), pages 893-916.
    20. Weking, Jörg & Desouza, Kevin C. & Fielt, Erwin & Kowalkiewicz, Marek, 2023. "Metaverse-enabled entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 19(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:circec:v:5:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s43615-024-00460-9. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.