InImpact: The Journal of Innovation Impact

Publisher Future Technology Press
Vol. 8 No. 2 KES Transactions on SDM II - Sustainable Design and Manufacturing 2015
Volume Editors KES International
Journal ISSN 2051-6002
 
Article TitleProduct design and business model strategies for a circular economy
Primary AuthorNancy Bocken, University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering, IfM (United Kingdom)
Other Author(s) Conny Bakker; Ingrid de Pauw
Pages 277 - 296
Article ID sdm15-026
Publication Date 02-May-16
Abstract

There is a growing need for and interest in the business concept of a circular economy. The move to a circular economy brings with it a range of practical challenges for designers and strategists in businesses that will need to facilitate this transformation from a linear take-make-dispose model to a more circular model. This paper seeks to develop a framework to guide designers and businesses strategists in the move from a linear to a circular economy. The following research question is addressed: What are the product design and business model strategies for businesses that want to move to a circular economy model? Building on Stahel (1994, p. 179) the terminology of slowing, closing and narrowing resource loops is introduced. A list of product design strategies and business model strategies for strategic decision-makers is introduced based on this to facilitate the move to a circular economy.

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Remarks Paper presented at KES International Conference on Sustainable Design and Manufacturing, 12-14 April 2015
First date of publication in InImpact: 1 December 2015