Multi-actor engagement in circular business model innovation

Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers increasingly engage in transforming existing business models into circular ones that are oriented towards slowing down, narrowing, or closing resource loops and hence reducing the burden on limited natural resources. Against this background, the present research investigates ways to boost actor engagement in circular business model innovation (CBMI). Building on a systematic literature review, we outline four turning points when it relates to engaging actors in CBMI: (1) does the focal actor see the benefits of engaging in CBMI? - cf. expected returns, (2) is the focal actor able to engage in CBMI? – cf. resources, (3) do other actors in their ecosystem show engagement towards CBMI? – cf. institutions, and (4) do other actors in their ecosystem help them to put CBMI into practice? – cf. interactions. Based upon these turning points, we propose different engagement-enhancing strategies for CBMI and elaborate on their implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.