| 1. |
- Milios, Leonidas, et al.
(author)
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Sailing towards a circular economy: conditions for increased reuse and remanufacturing in the Scandinavian maritime sector
- 2019
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526. ; 225, s. 227-235
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The transition to a Circular Economy (CE) requires enabling conditions that remove existing barriers in product life extension and material recovery operations. This contribution investigates barriers to material resource efficiency strategies in the maritime sector in Scandinavia and discusses the potential of policy interventions to enable increased reuse and remanufacturing of ship components. Recycling is a widespread practice in the maritime industry; however, ship demolition is usually associated with poor health and safety conditions for workers and adverse effects on the environment. According to CE principles, recycling is not the most favourable option for end-of-life products. Operations such as reuse and remanufacturing can be used to prolong the lifetime of marine equipment and delay the inevitable stage of recycling, thus contributing to significant material resource savings and value savings in the form of labour and energy. Yet, reuse and remanufacturing rates in the maritime sector are low compared to other sectors such as aviation and automotive. To identify the reasons behind this, interviews with stakeholders in the maritime sector revealed the main barriers for adopting reuse and remanufacturing strategies. These include (1) high costs that prohibit the uptake of reused and remanufactured components; (2) a lacking and inconsistent policy framework; and (3) the absence of organisational competences to facilitate reuse. To help overcome these barriers, a set of policies is discussed and their acceptance within the industry is examined. Potential policy interventions include (1) lower labour taxation; (2) enhancing waste infrastructure that distinguishes collection for reuse; and (3) mandating information and standardisation procedures.
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| 2. |
- Mont, Oksana, et al.
(author)
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Business model innovation for a Circular Economy : Drivers and barriers for the Swedish industry – the voice of REES companies
- 2017
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The idea of Circular Economy is gaining a momentum among companies, households and policy makers. In order to support a smooth transition to this idea, new ways of producing and using products and services are needed, which in turn require innovative business models. Such business models may help companies capitalise on closed resource loops and maintain or improve their competitive position in the world haunted by growing resource scarcity, deteriorating environmental sinks and increasing competition for natural resources. However, devising business models that operationalise and create a business case for different resource efficiency strategies that close resource loops is not straightforward. Companies in different manufacturing sectors have different drivers, but experience diverse barriers to innovating business models. This report aims to help supporting the idea of business model innovation for a circular economy among companies in Swedish manufacturing industries and beyond by offering an introduction into the basic concepts and principles of what is called circular business models.In addition, the report highlights the main drivers and barriers that companies experience when employing circular business models and provides some illustrative ideas and examples for how barriers can be overcome or reduced, while drivers can be enhanced.
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| 3. |
- Mont, Oksana, et al.
(author)
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Business Models for Circular Economy : Drivers and Barriers
- 2016
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Reports (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- • Transforming present production and consumption systems towards Circular Economy will require that new models for value provision are devised by companies and accepted by consumers• Numerous factors drive companies towards initiating the shift to more circular material flows• Businesses also face many barriers on their way towards circular business models• There is opportunity space to collectively work on reducing existing barriers and enhancing drivers and factors that may facilitate and enable companies to shift to circular business models
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| 4. |
- Whalen, Katherine A., et al.
(author)
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'All They Do Is Win': Lessons learned from use of a serious game for Circular Economy education
- 2018
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In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - : Elsevier BV. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 135, s. 335-345
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper aims to explore how Circular Economy (CE) can be taught in higher education through the use of a serious game, In the Loop. Despite the growing literature base related to CE, academic reflection on education for CE is currently limited. In the Loop was developed to provide an experiential learning situation for educating about material scarcity and CE. This study reflects on the use of the game with engineering students pursuing higher education. Seventy-one reflections, written after students played the game, were qualitatively coded through the use of a-priori coding. This paper presents the findings from analysis of five themes: Gameplay, Systems Thinking, Material Criticality, Realism/Real World Connection, and Suggestions for Change (to the game). Use of the game encouraged students to think holistically and reflect on material scarcity. Students highlighted the importance of adopting strategies, including CE, to address resource challenges, with many reflecting on how their own actions and abilities could play a role. Moreover, the study suggests In the Loop has broad relevance in education related to resource management practices and confirms previous research on the benefits of games as boundary objects to facilitate systems thinking.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Whalen, Katherine
(author)
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Circular Business Models that Extend Product Value : Going Beyond Recycling to Create New Circular Business Opportunities
- 2020
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Over the past ten years, significant industry, policy, and scientific attention has been given to the ‘circular economy’, which aims to create a more sustainable society by decoupling economic growth from resource consumption. Firms are expected to play a significant role in the shift to a circular economy model by implementing circular business models that encourage prolonged use of products, components, and materials. Yet, despite interest in the circular economy, there is a lack of empirical research about the effects of these business models and how to support theiradoption. This thesis aims to advance understanding of business models for a circular economy, with a focus on firms that slow resource loops and reverse product obsolescence. Using an interdisciplinary research approach, the thesis draws on business model theory and product life extension. The thesis presents theoretical and empirical examinations of circular business models using a variety of qualitative research methods. This includes a case study approach with Nordic firms in the ICT and maritime sectors to identify specific constraining and enabling factors for firms to adopt circular business models. A document study of participants’ reflections was also performed to evaluate one circular economy tool – the ‘In the Loop’ game.It was found that firms contribute to a circular economy through two main overarching circular business model strategies: ‘Extending Product Value’ or ‘Extending Resource Value’. While lack of market demand and high costs were identified as main constraints to adopting ‘Extending Product Value’ business models, the findings suggest that firms themselves can make adopting these models more competitive and cost-effective by refining their business offering. The findings confirm a number of factors could support the adoption of these business models, including policy interventions and game-based learning tools. Contextual differences between sectors and firms were also identified, including firm type (i.e., original equipment manufacturers or gap-exploiter), customer base (i.e., business-to-business or business-to-consumer), and geographic scope (i.e., national vs. international).The thesis underlines several environmental implications of circular business models. It suggests firms focus on maximising efficiency and that the adoption of circular business models does not guarantee reduced resource consumption or primary production. Solutions beyond firm-level interventions are a key part to a circular economy that achieves its intended environmental goals.
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