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LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Beyond ownership: understanding and supporting scaling of Libraries of Things. Case study of Circle Centre Library of Things in Lund, Sweden

Wojtania, Julia LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
In light of escalating environmental and social challenges, Libraries of Things (LoTs) offer a promising alternative to the unsustainable consumption model. Using a case study of Circle Centre, Library of Things in Lund, Sweden, this paper examines the socio-cultural and organisational dynamics in LoTs and their impact on the scalability potential of share-based organisation. Interviews with LoT board members and officers, representatives of related organisations and the municipality were subjected to reflective thematic analysis and analysed from an institutional theory perspective. Findings show that effective scaling apart from replicating or accumulating resources requires building legitimacy, strategic institutional work, and adapting... (More)
In light of escalating environmental and social challenges, Libraries of Things (LoTs) offer a promising alternative to the unsustainable consumption model. Using a case study of Circle Centre, Library of Things in Lund, Sweden, this paper examines the socio-cultural and organisational dynamics in LoTs and their impact on the scalability potential of share-based organisation. Interviews with LoT board members and officers, representatives of related organisations and the municipality were subjected to reflective thematic analysis and analysed from an institutional theory perspective. Findings show that effective scaling apart from replicating or accumulating resources requires building legitimacy, strategic institutional work, and adapting to prevailing norms and expectations. Key strategies for LoTs include maintaining flexibility in self-presentation and forming strategic partnerships that enable access to resources. A cultural approach to ownership, dependence on external support, and limited opportunities in a volunteer-based model were identified as significant obstacles to organisational scaling. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wojtania, Julia LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
circular economy, sharing economy, sustainable consumption, institutional theory, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:031
language
English
id
9195768
date added to LUP
2025-06-11 12:53:52
date last changed
2025-06-18 09:04:05
@misc{9195768,
  abstract     = {{In light of escalating environmental and social challenges, Libraries of Things (LoTs) offer a promising alternative to the unsustainable consumption model. Using a case study of Circle Centre, Library of Things in Lund, Sweden, this paper examines the socio-cultural and organisational dynamics in LoTs and their impact on the scalability potential of share-based organisation. Interviews with LoT board members and officers, representatives of related organisations and the municipality were subjected to reflective thematic analysis and analysed from an institutional theory perspective. Findings show that effective scaling apart from replicating or accumulating resources requires building legitimacy, strategic institutional work, and adapting to prevailing norms and expectations. Key strategies for LoTs include maintaining flexibility in self-presentation and forming strategic partnerships that enable access to resources. A cultural approach to ownership, dependence on external support, and limited opportunities in a volunteer-based model were identified as significant obstacles to organisational scaling.}},
  author       = {{Wojtania, Julia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Beyond ownership: understanding and supporting scaling of Libraries of Things. Case study of Circle Centre Library of Things in Lund, Sweden}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}