Leveraging Circular Economy R-Strategies for Business Model Innovation: An Exploratory Case Study

Circular economy-driven business model innovation is an emerging field of study that emphasizes sustainable practices across industries. This study explores how circular economy strategies can act as guiding tools for business model innovation and investigates the main challenges faced by companies adopting circular economy-driven innovations. Building on existing literature, and proposing a 14R circular strategies framework, the research employed a qualitative methodology based on three case studies using semi-structured interviews to collect data, followed by individual case analysis and cross-case comparisons. Findings highlight how circular economy strategies, such as redesign, reuse, and repurpose, can enhance business model elements. The research also emphasizes the critical role of stakeholder relationships in advancing circular economy practices and reveals key challenges, like logistical barriers, limited infrastructure, and shifting market dynamics. Contributions to the field include validating the flexibility of the proposed 14R framework and demonstrating its applicability across diverse industries. The research offers actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers aiming to align the circular economy principles with business model innovation while addressing systemic barriers and fostering sustainable growth.