Managing Circular Business Model Uncertainties with Future Adaptive Design

Sustainability, vol. 13, pp. 10361

Abstract

Designing products that can adapt to changes over time is crucial for managing product-related business risks in circular business models. However, there is limited circular economy research on how product adaptivity can contribute to more circular products and business models, especially in the early phases of business development and design. To address this research gap, this conceptual paper builds on the adaptable design concept and incorporates ideas from research on circular business models and circular design literature. It proposes a framework we collectively term “Future Adaptive Design” to help manage product-related business risks in circular business models and investigates related design strategies for product-based companies aiming to adopt circular business models.

Authors 5

1. Thomas Nyström corresponding

   RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

   Affiliation as printed

   Sustainable Business Unit, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Lindholmspiren 3A, 417 56 Gothenburg, Sweden

2. Katherine A. Whalen

   RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

   Affiliation as printed

   Sustainable Business Unit, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Lindholmspiren 3A, 417 56 Gothenburg, Sweden

3. Derek L. Diener

   RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

   Affiliation as printed

   Sustainable Business Unit, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Lindholmspiren 3A, 417 56 Gothenburg, Sweden

4. Marcel den Hollander Aachen

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Marcel den Hollander Circular Design Consulting and Research, 2264 KP Leidschendam, The Netherlands

5. Robert H. W. Boyer

   RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

   Affiliation as printed

   Sustainable Business Unit, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Lindholmspiren 3A, 417 56 Gothenburg, Sweden