Toward Circular Economy: A Business Model Innovation Perspective

Funding Level: National

Funding Agency: Italian Ministry of University and Research.

Abstract: 

This research enters the field of the transition to the circular economy and aims to advance our theoretical understanding of the firms’ business model innovation oriented to the circular economy and its drivers, with a particular focus to digitization and managerial practices.
The research also has significant implications for firms and policymakers, as it will help highlight which drivers affect the capacity of business models innovation, combining the needs of competitiveness and performance with the growing expectations of sustainability and environmental protection expressed by the civil society.
The research will be conducted by adopting a mixed method which includes a quantitative and then a qualitative study. After having developed the theoretical framework, a rich and articulated database will be built that will allow to connect the economic, financial and environmental performance of firms subject to environmental regulation.
The project focuses on Italian companies with the greatest environmental impact. A survey will be employed to investigate relationships between economic and environmental performance, and other parameters related to business model innovation. Subsequent qualitative research, conducted through a multiple case study, will allow to investigate how and why some previously identified drivers affect the innovation capacity of business models oriented towards the circular economy. The results of the quantitative and qualitative research will support the development of a model that will advance our theoretical understanding of the topic and can contribute to the challenges of businesses and civil society in the transition to the circular economy.

DiSA role: Partner

DiSA Team Leader: Maria Gabriella Baldarelli

DiSA Team members: Stefania Vignini

Project's Coordinator: Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Other participants:

- Università di Pisa,

- Università "Gabriele D'Annunzio" di Chieti,

- Scuola IMT Alti Studi di Lucca

Start date: 28/09/2023 - End date: 27/09/2025

Total project cost: 225.135 euro

Funded by European Union - Next Generation EU