Session 1

“Theorizing and conceptualizing Business Models for the Circular Economy”
Chairs: Jan Jonker and Niels Faber

Unmistakably politics, businesses and society at large (re)discover the notion of a circular economy (CE) fueled by an increasing urgency to address wicked ecological, economic and societal problems. The CE is taking shape at the three levels, namely (1) individual organizations (the micro level), (2) value-chains and value cycles created by a changing array of constituents (the meso level), and (3) the economic system (the macro level). In this session, we would like to focus on a number of fundamental questions around how to design, shape and foster the CE at each of these three levels. Core of the CE is how to close material loops. From an economic perspective, this implies the formation of a new generation of business models. To make this happen requires action by a multitude of constituents who engage in a whole range of inter-organizational collective activities. What are collective business models that give substance to the circular economy? What forms of organizing are best suitable for these models? How does accounting takes shape in such collectives? This session not only addresses the material aspects of organizing closed-loops but also aspects around revenue sharing (e.g. cascading), transition and collaboration and governance. We welcome above all theoretical and conceptual papers.

1a
Facilitating Sustainable Industrial Transitions in the Energy Intensive Industries: The Role of Business Models and Policies to Enable Decarbonisation
Matilda Axelson
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

Revenue models in the Belgian Sharing Economy: a study on entrepreneurship (of platform owners) and micro-entrepreneurship
Karijn Bonne, Nicky Malfliet, Vicky Franssen, Christel De Maeyer, Marilyn Michels
Artevelde University College, Belgium

Multi-actor Multi-value creation in New Sustainable Business Models
Wouter Feije van der Galiën, Bartjan Pennink
University of Groningen, The Netherlands

A Comparative Study on the Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of Global Clothing Retailers
Nomindari Mendee
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

1b
Smart Cities: Are Slowing Loop Initiatives The Solution To a Sustainable Future?
Martina Pieternella de Buck, Bartjan Pennink
University of Groningen, The Netherlands

Circular Business Models In The Construction Industry
Han van Son, Jan Jurriens
Avans University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands

Exploring Business Models of Sustainability Pioneers – An Analysis of Case Studies in the Smartphone Industry
Julia Zufall1, Simon Norris1, Stefan Schaltegger1, Erik G. Hansen2, Ferdinand Revellio1,2
1Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany; 2Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria