Exploring the Role of Companies in Transitioning to a Sustainable and Circular Future: Insights and Reflections

Baumgartner, Rupert J.; Deutz, Pauline; Delgadillo, Estephania; Tena, Anna Diaz; Newsholme, Aodhan; Lindgreen, Erik Roos; Santa-Maria, Tomas; Walker, Anna M.; Reyes, Tatiana

Abstract

This chapter explores the pivotal role of companies in driving the transition towards a sustainable and circular economy (CE). It focuses on how companies, as unique social systems aimed at generating economic value, can and have to shoulder social and environmental responsibilities. Pursuing a CE is a complex process with numerous challenges and potential avenues for exploration. The chapter methodically unfolds through six PhD research projects within the Cresting project, employing a blend of quantitative and qualitative methodologies to analyse the role of companies in the sustainable and circular transition. It addresses key questions related to business model innovation, product and service design, the assessment of CE impacts, and the integration of circularity into the corporate context. Additionally, this chapter explores the contextual embedding of businesses within local, national and international landscapes. By analysing empirical data and drawing insightful conclusions, valuable implications for both theory and practice are derived. Companies can be both contributors and inhibitors in the transition to a sustainable and circular future. They have the potential to drive change and support sustainability efforts but can also hinder progress or oppose initiatives. This research showed that it is necessary to consider company-internal issues but in particular to go beyond the corporate boundaries and to consider the entire value chain (from a product lifecycle perspective, i.e. including use and end-of-life phases), the broader stakeholder network and ecosystem, and the region a company is embedded in.

Citation

Baumgartner, R. J., Deutz, P., Delgadillo, E., Tena, A. D., Newsholme, A., Lindgreen, E. R., Santa-Maria, T., Walker, A. M., & Reyes, T. (2024). Exploring the Role of Companies in Transitioning to a Sustainable and Circular Future: Insights and Reflections. In Circular Economy Realities: Critical Perspectives on Sustainability (64-95). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003295631-4

• Online Publication Date: Jul 30, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 30, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 7, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 14, 2024
• Publisher: Routledge
• Pages: 64-95
• Book Title: Circular Economy Realities: Critical Perspectives on Sustainability
• Chapter Number: 4
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003295631-4
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4861844