Open Circular Innovation: How Companies Can Develop Circular Innovations in Collaboration with Stakeholders

Anja Eisenreich, Johann Füller and Martin Stuchtey
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Anja Eisenreich: Department of Strategic Management, Marketing and Tourism, University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Johann Füller: Department of Strategic Management, Marketing and Tourism, University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Martin Stuchtey: Department of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-23

Abstract: A transition toward the circular economy (CE) will be key to addressing future environmental and economic challenges, such as environmental pollution and resource scarcity. However, when introducing circular solutions, companies often face complex and disruptive changes that affect many stakeholders and require new innovation practices. This study investigates open circular innovation by analyzing the status quo of circular innovation, discussing the relevance and role of different stakeholders, and examining approaches for open circular innovation processes. The study employs a qualitative research design, including 14 in-depth interviews with CE and innovation experts. The findings indicate that companies currently focus on closed innovation approaches or collaborate with only one stakeholder at a time when developing circular innovations. Stakeholder groups, such as customers, suppliers, and academia, play a crucial role in the innovation process, whereas direct collaborations with governments and competitors are seen controversially. An open innovation network approach combined with crowdsourcing is regarded as the most promising for developing circular solutions. This study contributes to connecting open innovation with CE research and provides new knowledge at this interface. Additionally, this research gives managers guidance on how to approach open circular innovation and thus supports companies on their way toward a CE.

Keywords: circular economy; open circular innovation; circular innovation; open innovation; stakeholder collaboration; crowdsourcing; network (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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