Motives, Drivers and Barriers for Collaborative Circular Oriented Innovation in the Context of Materials - A Case Study on ‘IKEA Range & Supply’
(2020) EKHS34 20201Department of Economic History
- Abstract
- Abstract: As conventional linear economic systems transcend the environmental boundaries with hazardous consequences, the Circular Economy (CE) concept as an alternative gains ground on political and business agendas. Circular strategies and thereof evolving circular oriented innovations (COI) imply that product and material design, supply chains, and business models have to be integrated; however, the required knowledge, skills, and resources are often dispersed among system actors. Inter-organizational collaboration enables this integration and, therefore, assumes a central role in COI. Research in this field is nascent; hence, this thesis sets out to provide further understanding by exploring the motives, drivers, and barriers for... (More)
- Abstract: As conventional linear economic systems transcend the environmental boundaries with hazardous consequences, the Circular Economy (CE) concept as an alternative gains ground on political and business agendas. Circular strategies and thereof evolving circular oriented innovations (COI) imply that product and material design, supply chains, and business models have to be integrated; however, the required knowledge, skills, and resources are often dispersed among system actors. Inter-organizational collaboration enables this integration and, therefore, assumes a central role in COI. Research in this field is nascent; hence, this thesis sets out to provide further understanding by exploring the motives, drivers, and barriers for collaborative COI focusing on developing materials with circular capabilities. A qualitative embedded single case study is conducted by investigating subunits, collecting predominantly primary data through five expert interviews with representatives of the case organization ‘IKEA Range & Supply’.
Novel to existing research, the results implicate that the fundamental tone of motives for collaborative COI differs regarding its focus on fostering the CE transformation within its organizational boundaries (mostly product or process innovations), beyond (mostly organizational, market, or systemic innovations); or in between. Increasing the company’s positive impact is a newly identified normative motive. Stemming from the overarching motive to reduce the environmental impact of materials, a central motive arises from the tactical and operational requirement to develop scalable material supply chains, which implies the rising significance of influencing the system conditions. In the discourse of drivers and barriers for collaborative COI, this study reveals the particular importance of company-internal capabilities and characteristics. Institutional and regulatory aspects are perceived as hindering, which allows to conclude that policymakers are suggested to pursue more collaboration with industrial actors to jointly develop stimulating frames for the progress of the CE paradigm. Further research is also recommended here.
Keywords: Circular Economy; Collaborative Circular Oriented Innovation; Sustainable Oriented Innovation; Collaborative Innovation (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9020573
- author
- Matthaei, Franziska LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- EKHS34 20201
- year
- 2020
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Circular Economy, Collaborative Circular Oriented Innovation, Sustainable Oriented Innovation, Collaborative Innovation
- language
- English
- id
- 9020573
- date added to LUP
- 2020-07-03 12:02:43
- date last changed
- 2020-07-03 12:02:43
@misc{9020573,
abstract = {{Abstract: As conventional linear economic systems transcend the environmental boundaries with hazardous consequences, the Circular Economy (CE) concept as an alternative gains ground on political and business agendas. Circular strategies and thereof evolving circular oriented innovations (COI) imply that product and material design, supply chains, and business models have to be integrated; however, the required knowledge, skills, and resources are often dispersed among system actors. Inter-organizational collaboration enables this integration and, therefore, assumes a central role in COI. Research in this field is nascent; hence, this thesis sets out to provide further understanding by exploring the motives, drivers, and barriers for collaborative COI focusing on developing materials with circular capabilities. A qualitative embedded single case study is conducted by investigating subunits, collecting predominantly primary data through five expert interviews with representatives of the case organization ‘IKEA Range & Supply’.
Novel to existing research, the results implicate that the fundamental tone of motives for collaborative COI differs regarding its focus on fostering the CE transformation within its organizational boundaries (mostly product or process innovations), beyond (mostly organizational, market, or systemic innovations); or in between. Increasing the company’s positive impact is a newly identified normative motive. Stemming from the overarching motive to reduce the environmental impact of materials, a central motive arises from the tactical and operational requirement to develop scalable material supply chains, which implies the rising significance of influencing the system conditions. In the discourse of drivers and barriers for collaborative COI, this study reveals the particular importance of company-internal capabilities and characteristics. Institutional and regulatory aspects are perceived as hindering, which allows to conclude that policymakers are suggested to pursue more collaboration with industrial actors to jointly develop stimulating frames for the progress of the CE paradigm. Further research is also recommended here.
Keywords: Circular Economy; Collaborative Circular Oriented Innovation; Sustainable Oriented Innovation; Collaborative Innovation}},
author = {{Matthaei, Franziska}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Motives, Drivers and Barriers for Collaborative Circular Oriented Innovation in the Context of Materials - A Case Study on ‘IKEA Range & Supply’}},
year = {{2020}},
}