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Innovation for Product Circularity: the Role of Networks

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceedingspeer-review

Abstract

Distributors increasingly aim to control their downstream processes to offer customers extended life-cycle oriented solutions and to retain the value of their products for longer timeframes. The circular economy (CE) provides a comprehensive framework for product circularity in the form of maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacture and recycle loops. As distributors usually have no core competencies in circular processes, a reasonable approach to develop value-added circular solutions is to collaborate with specialized service providers. In this article, we explore the inter-organizational network of a large German telecommunication operator, focusing on their voluntary circular offerings for smartphones. We utilize an embedded single case study design to analyze the innovation process in the making over a longitudinal timeframe on the three levels of industry, network and focal firm.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEuropean Academy of Management Conference (EURAM)
Number of pages28
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Fields of science

  • 211911 Sustainable technologies
  • 502052 Business administration
  • 502015 Innovation management
  • 502022 Sustainable economics
  • 502032 Quality management

JKU Focus areas

  • Sustainable Development: Responsible Technologies and Management

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