The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Emma Johnson

Emma Johnson

Doctoral student

Emma Johnson

Closing competency gaps for circularity: Exploring partner dynamics for circular-oriented innovation

Author

  • Emma Johnson

Summary, in English

The implementation of circular initiatives requires certain capabilities and knowledge that traditional business models often lack, requiring new perspectives and external collaborations. While it is understood that partnerships can aid in innovation and provide knowledge and capabilities to firms, the dynamics of collaboration for the transition towards circular business models (CBMs) need to be explored to understand why and how collaboration works between partners. A qualitative and in-depth case study of a gap exploiter business model and three of its partners was conducted to gain insight into collaborative relationships for circular-oriented innovation (COI). The research builds upon the theoretical foundations of the resource-based view and organizational learning by extending them to collaboration for COI, and expands the understanding of a gap exploiter business model by connecting it to research on innovation intermediaries—highlighting how particular competences and aspects of a gap exploiter business model enable collaboration with partners. The research found that motivations for collaboration for COI for B2C linear companies are derived from a need to fill competency gaps, although some companies perceive the need to fill competency gaps as temporary before building their own, while others use collaboration to build long-term relationships. Competences needed for COI include a combination of tangible and intangible aspects, such as space, tools, storage for repair and reconditioning, but also governance and managerial structures to formalize the COI as well as knowledge, skills, shared values and vision to operationalize the COI. The competences that contribute the most to enabling collaboration mechanisms are based on the skills and knowledge needed to operationalize circular strategies, as well as company values of collaboration and building partner relations. This research provides several practical resources for companies that include business model blueprints of successful gap exploiter models, competence for COI categories for companies to map out where they will need specific competences, and how these competences along with the business model blueprints enable collaboration. Future research could further examine and evaluate the criticality, volatility, and dependency of the competences for both COI and collaboration.

Department/s

  • The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

Publishing year

2022-11-01

Language

English

Pages

130-147

Publication/Series

Sustainable Production and Consumption

Volume

34

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Business Administration

Keywords

  • circular oriented innovation
  • circular business model innovation
  • gap exploiter business model
  • collaboration
  • circular competences
  • capabilities for circularity

Status

Published

Project

  • Resource-Efficient and Effective Solutions based on Circular Economy Thinking - Phase 2

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 2352-5509