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Arekrans, J., Sopjani, L., Laurenti, R. & Ritzén, S. (2022). Barriers to access-based consumption in the circular transition: A systematic review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 184, Article ID 106364.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Barriers to access-based consumption in the circular transition: A systematic review
2022 (English)In: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, ISSN 0921-3449, E-ISSN 1879-0658, Vol. 184, article id 106364Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Barriers to access-based consumption (ABC) have been extensively studied in different strands of literature. However, cumulative knowledge is not organized to date, and a comprehensive overview of barriers identified by empirical studies in diverse strands is lacking. Such a picture is essential for laying the ground for further change-oriented research and actual changes in practice. This article reports on the results of a systematic review on barriers to transitioning from ownership- to access-based consumption. The review focuses on the literature strands product-service systems, circular economy, sharing economy, and collaborative consumption. Through open and axial coding of 289 barriers reported in 45 empirical studies, we found 17 themes of barriers concerning consumers, business, and society. The analysis of the barriers reveals four significant insights important for the research and practitioner community:

  1. the overall experience of ABC and trust mechanisms need to be better understood;
  2. organizational aspects in traditional business need a system change;
  3. regulation plays a fundamental role in making ABC work for business, society, and sustainability; and
  4. sharing risks and experimentation for new learnings are necessary.

These four major insights suggest that consumers need business and government to offer enabling conditions for ABC – spanning from raising awareness and understanding to improving user experience. Furthermore, businesses need governments to create the necessary structures to support ABC offerings – from decreasing risks to increasing incentives. How and which mechanisms can further facilitate circular behaviors is a salient topic for future investigations.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV, 2022
Keywords
acces-based consumption, barriers, systematic review, sharing economy, collaborative consumption, circular economy, product-service systems, delningsekonomi, barriärer, systematisk litteraturstudie, cirkulär ekonomi
National Category
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Research subject
Industrial Engineering and Management; Industrial Ecology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-312108 (URN)10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106364 (DOI)000805668900001 ()2-s2.0-85129700514 (Scopus ID)
Projects
ABC Mechanisms: From Ownership to Access-Based Circularity in Sweden
Funder
Vinnova, 2018–04691EU, Horizon 2020, 776577
Note

QC 20220627

Available from: 2022-05-18 Created: 2022-05-18 Last updated: 2023-11-21Bibliographically approved
Arekrans, J., Ritzén, S. & Laurenti, R. (2022). The role of radical innovation in circular strategy deployment. Business Strategy and the Environment
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The role of radical innovation in circular strategy deployment
2022 (English)In: Business Strategy and the Environment, ISSN 0964-4733, E-ISSN 1099-0836Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Circular economy (CE) is gaining interest among industrial firms in light of sustainability concerns, and several incumbent firms are integrating it into their strategy. In this study, we scrutinize learnings from three large established industrial firms with a clear CE agenda and that are front-runners in CE strategy deployment. We analyze exploitation and exploration approaches to CE and problematize how these approaches relate to radical innovation, which we argue is critical for achieving CE. Semi-structured interviews (n = 30) were used to collect data. We found several issues referring to

  • (1) challenges and approaches to normative management,
  • (2) how the innovation ecosystem is engaged,
  • (3) how goals and metrics relate to CE, and
  • (4) resources and coordination regarding the CE initiative.

Overall, current exploitative approaches are favored over explorative, mirroring an undesired imbalance between the two. We suggest several ways to counteract this. For example,

  • (1) addressing existing norms so that they align with the ambitions in CE,
  • (2) actively managing collaboration in the innovation ecosystem, including radically new setups of different actors, and
  • (3) that managers need to carefully consider when and how to use goals and measurements in a circular strategy deployment, to foster both radical and incremental innovation.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Wiley, 2022
Keywords
Circular economy, management, innovation, radical, strategy
National Category
Business Administration Social Sciences
Research subject
Business Studies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-312427 (URN)10.1002/bse.3108 (DOI)000790746300001 ()2-s2.0-85129343807 (Scopus ID)
Projects
CET: Circular Economy Transitions
Funder
EU, Horizon 2020, 776577-2Vinnova, 2020-00713
Note

QC 20220523

Available from: 2022-05-18 Created: 2022-05-18 Last updated: 2023-11-21Bibliographically approved
Arekrans, J., Ritzén, S. & Laurenti, R. (2021). Circular Economy Transitions: The Maturity of Incumbents. In: : . Paper presented at 22nd CINet Conference: Organising innovation for a sustainable future.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Circular Economy Transitions: The Maturity of Incumbents
2021 (English)Conference paper, Oral presentation with published abstract (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

A circular economy (CE) transition poses new challenges and opportunities for industrial incumbents. When implementing CE, the existing processes, routines, and behaviors are questioned. As such, practitioners must consider the required changes related directly to CE and contextual factors in managing the transition. For this purpose, this study conceptualizes a maturity model, highlighting critical elements to consider to facilitate the transition. The model builds on both state-of-the-art literature in CE and empirical findings from three large industrial firms.

The proposed model consists of the CE practices:

  • (1) design of product-service systems,
  • (2) processes and logistics in manufacturing and supply,
  • (3) circular business model innovation,
  • (4) circular innovation in the ecosystem,

and the management practices:

  • (1) strategic sustainability integration and
  • (2) management controls.

The model is intended to help practitioners define a CE roadmap to facilitate the transition towards a more circular business.

Keywords
Circular Economy, Maturity model, Management, Innovation
National Category
Economics and Business
Research subject
Industrial Engineering and Management
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-305217 (URN)
Conference
22nd CINet Conference: Organising innovation for a sustainable future
Projects
Circular Economy Transitions (CET)
Funder
Vinnova, 2020-00713
Note

Part of proceedings: ISBN 978-90-77360-24-8, QC 20211124

Available from: 2021-11-23 Created: 2021-11-23 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved
Stucki, M. & Laurenti, R. (2021). How life cycle–based science and practice support the transition towards a sustainable economy. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 26(5), 1062-1069
Open this publication in new window or tab >>How life cycle–based science and practice support the transition towards a sustainable economy
2021 (English)In: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, ISSN 0948-3349, E-ISSN 1614-7502, Vol. 26, no 5, p. 1062-1069Article in journal (Refereed) Published
National Category
Other Environmental Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-294808 (URN)10.1007/s11367-021-01894-1 (DOI)000639503400001 ()2-s2.0-85104577534 (Scopus ID)
Note

Correction in: International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, Volume 27, Issue 1, Pages 188, DOI: 10.1007/s11367-021-01930-0, WOS: 000738435800001,, Scopus: 2-s2.0-85122264512, QC 20220921

Available from: 2021-05-18 Created: 2021-05-18 Last updated: 2024-03-18Bibliographically approved
de Kwant, C., Rahi, F. & Laurenti, R. (2021). The role of product design in circular business models: An analysis of challenges and opportunities for electric vehicles and white goods. Sustainable Production and Consumption
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The role of product design in circular business models: An analysis of challenges and opportunities for electric vehicles and white goods
2021 (English)In: Sustainable Production and Consumption, ISSN 2352-5509Article in journal (Refereed) Published
National Category
Other Environmental Engineering Business Administration
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-294807 (URN)10.1016/j.spc.2021.03.030 (DOI)000674221300004 ()2-s2.0-85105692963 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20210518

Available from: 2021-05-18 Created: 2021-05-18 Last updated: 2024-03-18Bibliographically approved
He, L., Sopjani, L. & Laurenti, R. (2021). User participation dilemmas in the circular economy: An empirical study of Scandinavia's largest peer-to-peer product sharing platform. Sustainable Production and Consumption
Open this publication in new window or tab >>User participation dilemmas in the circular economy: An empirical study of Scandinavia's largest peer-to-peer product sharing platform
2021 (English)In: Sustainable Production and Consumption, ISSN 2352-5509Article in journal (Refereed) Published
National Category
Other Environmental Engineering Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified Economics and Business
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-294953 (URN)10.1016/j.spc.2021.02.027 (DOI)000674195700009 ()2-s2.0-85101571770 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20210518

Available from: 2021-05-18 Created: 2021-05-18 Last updated: 2024-03-18Bibliographically approved
Hysa, E., Kruja, A., Rehman, N. U. & Laurenti, R. (2020). Circular Economy Innovation and Environmental Sustainability Impact on Economic Growth: An Integrated Model for Sustainable Development. Sustainability, 12(12), Article ID 4831.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Circular Economy Innovation and Environmental Sustainability Impact on Economic Growth: An Integrated Model for Sustainable Development
2020 (English)In: Sustainability, E-ISSN 2071-1050, Vol. 12, no 12, article id 4831Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This study examines the link between selected indicators of a circular economy, including essential components of environmental and economic growth. Developed economies are continuously innovating to promote growth and giving governmental support to the producers to move from linear economies to circular ones. Hence, waste materials in industrial systems are recycled or re-used, improving the efficiency of using finite resources with the no-waste approach. The aim of this paper is the following: (1) to identify the main components of a circular economy, which are also supportive of sustainability and development; (2) to check the impact of these variables in the economic growth of European Union countries; (3) to find out if the three components of sustainable development adopted to circular economy (CE) indicators (environmental-social-economic) are significant to economic growth. We used a fixed effect panel data analysis to identify the circular economy's impact on the economic growth of European countries. Additionally, to support the results of the regression analysis, we employed a second method-generalized methods of moments-computing the Arellano-Bond dynamic panel data estimation method. The model included five independent variables, such as environmental tax rate, a recycling rate of waste, private investment and jobs in a circular economy, patents related to recycling, and trade of recyclable raw materials. The identification of each variable was made based on a deep search through literature. The results of both econometric models showed a strong and positive correlation between a circular economy to economic growth, highlighting the crucial role of sustainability, innovation, and investment in no-waste initiatives to promote wealth.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI AG, 2020
Keywords
circular economy, sustainability, innovation, environmental dimension, economic growth, panel data
National Category
Environmental Management
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-279361 (URN)10.3390/su12124831 (DOI)000554653900001 ()2-s2.0-85087487483 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20200903

Available from: 2020-09-03 Created: 2020-09-03 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved
Hansmann, R., Laurenti, R., Tarik, M. & Binder, C. (2020). Determinants of pro-environmental behavior: A comparison of university students and staff from diverse faculties at a Swiss University. Journal of Cleaner Production, 268
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Determinants of pro-environmental behavior: A comparison of university students and staff from diverse faculties at a Swiss University
2020 (English)In: Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, E-ISSN 1879-1786, Vol. 268Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

In the context of an initiative to become a carbon neutral campus, an online survey (N = 1864) of students, scientists, and administrative and technical staff of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) was conducted to measure pro-environmental behaviors and potentially influential factors. Female gender, age, and position (from bachelor's student, master's student, doctoral student, postdoc/senior scientist to professor) showed a significant positive correlation with positive behaviors as measured by a pro-environmental behavior scale developed for this study. Excluded from the academic position ranking were the members of technical and administrative staff, who displayed the highest level of pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, the level of pro-environmental behavior was generally higher among members of strongly environmentally-oriented university subsections as compared to other sections. Based on previous research and theories on environmental behavior, such as the theory of planned behavior, a predictive model including psychological, structural, and demographic variables was developed and accounted for 44% of the variance of pro-environmental behavior scores. Among psychological variables, the strongest positive influence was observed for green self-identity. Willingness to sacrifice, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and perceived effects were also significantly positively related to positive behavior. Future behavioral decision-making models should consider these variables accordingly. The position of the participants was significantly positively correlated with green self-identity, suggesting positive education and socialization effects, but negatively correlated with perceived behavioral control, pointing to practical constraints coincident with professional seniority.

Keywords
Carbon-neutral university; Green self-identity; Perceived behavioral control; Pro-environmental behavior; Students; Theory of planned behavior
National Category
Environmental Sciences Social Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-281750 (URN)10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121864 (DOI)000561594800014 ()2-s2.0-85086804804 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20200925

Available from: 2020-09-22 Created: 2020-09-22 Last updated: 2024-03-18Bibliographically approved
Laurenti, R. & Barrios Acuña, F. M. (2020). Exploring antecedents of behavioural intention and preferences in online peer-to-peer resource sharing: a Swedish university setting. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 21, 47-56
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Exploring antecedents of behavioural intention and preferences in online peer-to-peer resource sharing: a Swedish university setting
2020 (English)In: Sustainable Production and Consumption, ISSN 2352-5509, Vol. 21, p. 47-56Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Resource-optimization platforms appear as a valid option to more sustainable modes of consumption. The success of these platforms mostly depends on the capability to comprehend the potential users’ motives for engagement. We developed and tested a conceptual model based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to investigate the relative significance of consumer motives for and against using a peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing platform. Qualitative interviews of an elicitation study (n=7) followed a quantitative survey (n=325) with potential users. The size of the demand for accessing specific products and services and the type of transaction mode preferred were also investigated. Attitude towards using a P2P sharing platform is the strongest predictor of behavioural intention among the TPB constructs. Ecological sustainability, sense of belonging, trust in other users, and familiarity are the most critical factors determining the attitude towards using the potential platform; process risk concerns were identified as the main hinder. There were more providers than takers to all likely items enquired, and accommodation and car-sharing had the most significant asymmetric ratios remarkably. Services in general and study materials were the items with the highest potential demand and supply. The preferred mode of exchange for the platform is a free system which includes donation and second-hand sales, and transfer of points or money. This study contributes to a better understanding of consumer motivations and desires to engage in sharing resources for sustainability transformations.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2020
Keywords
Sharing economy; Peer-to-peer sharing; Behavioural intention; Sustainable consumption; Theory of planned behaviour; Sustainability; Circular Economy
National Category
Environmental Sciences
Research subject
Industrial Ecology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-264394 (URN)10.1016/j.spc.2019.10.002 (DOI)000529312000004 ()2-s2.0-85074588424 (Scopus ID)
Projects
CE@KTH Initiative
Note

QC 20191126

Available from: 2019-11-26 Created: 2019-11-26 Last updated: 2022-06-26Bibliographically approved
Cotrim, J. M., Nunes, F. & Laurenti, R. (2020). Making Sense of the Sharing Economy: A Category Formation Approach. Sustainability, 12(24), Article ID 10648.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Making Sense of the Sharing Economy: A Category Formation Approach
2020 (English)In: Sustainability, E-ISSN 2071-1050, Vol. 12, no 24, article id 10648Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The sharing economy (SE) has drawn significant attention from several society stakeholders in the last five years. While business actors are interested in financial opportunities to meet consumer needs, new business models, academia and governmental organisations are concerned with potential unintended effects on society and the environment. Despite its notable global growth, there is still a lack of more solid ground in understanding its origins and respective mechanisms through which it has been evolving as a category. This research addresses the problematics of the origins and ascendency of the SE by examining the process by which it is arising as a new category, searching for conceptual clarification, and pinpointing the legitimacy granted by stakeholders. Our guiding research questions are: how the SE was formed and evolved as a category, and as a category, is the SE legitimate? Additionally, we attempt to identify the nature of the SE as a category. Making a historical analysis of the expression SE and its equivalents, this paper deepens the discussion about the SE's nature by providing evidence that it has predominantly been formed by emergence processes, comprising social movement, similarity clustering, and truce components, which render the SE a particular case of category formation and allow communication, entrepreneurship, regulation, and research about what it is. Moreover, the findings reveal a generalised legitimacy granted to the SE by a vast number of stakeholders, although still lacking the consolidation of socio-political legitimation. The SE's nature seems to fall into a metaphorical approach, notably, the notion of radial categories.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI AG, 2020
Keywords
sharing economy, category formation, emergence, social movement, similarity clustering, truce, radial category, identity legitimation, stakeholders, business models
National Category
Economics and Business
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-289246 (URN)10.3390/su122410648 (DOI)000603227800001 ()2-s2.0-85098147141 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20210201

Available from: 2021-02-01 Created: 2021-02-01 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-7717-600X

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