Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Bridging the gap : Barriers and potential for scaling reuse practices in the Swedish ICT sector

Whalen, Katherine A. LU ; Milios, Leonidas LU and Nussholz, Julia LU (2018) In Resources, Conservation and Recycling 135. p.123-131
Abstract

This paper presents two case studies of Swedish ICT 'gap exploiter' companies to provide a nuanced perspective in the investigation of ICT reuse business models and policies. Gap exploiters are third-party firms that create value through the re-utilization of existing products. While extending product life through the gap exploiter model is promising in the transition to a circular economy, business models and policies related to ICT reuse are under-researched in literature and existing studies are characterized by general approaches. While the generalizability of this study has limitations based on size and geographic location, this paper provides an in-depth look at how circular economy strategies can be embodied in the gap exploiter... (More)

This paper presents two case studies of Swedish ICT 'gap exploiter' companies to provide a nuanced perspective in the investigation of ICT reuse business models and policies. Gap exploiters are third-party firms that create value through the re-utilization of existing products. While extending product life through the gap exploiter model is promising in the transition to a circular economy, business models and policies related to ICT reuse are under-researched in literature and existing studies are characterized by general approaches. While the generalizability of this study has limitations based on size and geographic location, this paper provides an in-depth look at how circular economy strategies can be embodied in the gap exploiter business model within the ICT sector. Main findings include barriers to business operations and opportunities to address them through business model innovation and policy intervention. The study furthers understanding of ICT reuse operations and their related business models. It also contributes to the upcoming policy debate on how to encourage and create a more resource efficient and circular economy.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Business model, Circular economy, Gap exploiter, Policy, Refurbishment, Repair, Reuse
in
Resources, Conservation and Recycling
volume
135
pages
123 - 131
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85028327975
ISSN
0921-3449
DOI
10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.07.029
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
2783e403-5f84-4568-9dc1-02a56f5fff03
date added to LUP
2017-09-14 14:14:07
date last changed
2022-03-24 21:01:06
@article{2783e403-5f84-4568-9dc1-02a56f5fff03,
  abstract     = {{<p>This paper presents two case studies of Swedish ICT 'gap exploiter' companies to provide a nuanced perspective in the investigation of ICT reuse business models and policies. Gap exploiters are third-party firms that create value through the re-utilization of existing products. While extending product life through the gap exploiter model is promising in the transition to a circular economy, business models and policies related to ICT reuse are under-researched in literature and existing studies are characterized by general approaches. While the generalizability of this study has limitations based on size and geographic location, this paper provides an in-depth look at how circular economy strategies can be embodied in the gap exploiter business model within the ICT sector. Main findings include barriers to business operations and opportunities to address them through business model innovation and policy intervention. The study furthers understanding of ICT reuse operations and their related business models. It also contributes to the upcoming policy debate on how to encourage and create a more resource efficient and circular economy.</p>}},
  author       = {{Whalen, Katherine A. and Milios, Leonidas and Nussholz, Julia}},
  issn         = {{0921-3449}},
  keywords     = {{Business model; Circular economy; Gap exploiter; Policy; Refurbishment; Repair; Reuse}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{123--131}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Resources, Conservation and Recycling}},
  title        = {{Bridging the gap : Barriers and potential for scaling reuse practices in the Swedish ICT sector}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.07.029}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.07.029}},
  volume       = {{135}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}