Inter-organizational collaboration is essential for successful circular economy transitions.
Addressing the complexities of the circular economy necessitates collaborative efforts between organizations, pooling diverse knowledge and resources to overcome systemic challenges.
Business Strategy and the Environment · 2025
Key Findings
- 01Inter-organizational collaboration is a critical enabler for circular economy transitions.
- 02Three thematic clusters of collaborative approaches were identified.
- 03Five dimensions were outlined to conceptualize circular economy ventures.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing for the circular economy, actively plan for and facilitate inter-organizational partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of circular strategies.
How to apply
When developing a new product or service, map out potential partners (suppliers, recyclers, remanufacturers, consumers) and consider how to structure collaborations to support its circular lifecycle.
Project actions
- 01When planning a design project focused on circularity, consider who else needs to be involved.
- 02Research existing collaborations in your chosen industry to understand best practices.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a systematic overview of a growing research area.
- +Offers a conceptual framework for understanding collaborations in the circular economy.
Limitations
The findings are based on a review of existing research, so they reflect what has already been studied and published, not necessarily the full reality of all collaborations.
Reliability & validity
The systematic review methodology enhances reliability by ensuring a comprehensive and unbiased search and analysis of literature. Validity is supported by the thematic analysis identifying recurring patterns and conceptualizations.
Think critically
To what extent can a single organization truly achieve circularity without robust external collaborations, and what are the inherent risks of relying on such partnerships?
Design Principles
"Design for collaboration: Integrate mechanisms and strategies that foster partnerships across the value chain to achieve circularity."
Designers and engineers must recognize that circular product lifecycles and systems are rarely achieved in isolation. Understanding how different entities can effectively collaborate is crucial for designing products and services that can be integrated into broader circular initiatives and value chains.
What This Means for Your Design
To make things circular (like recycling or reusing), companies need to work together, sharing knowledge and resources.
How to use in your project
- 1.Cite this study when discussing the importance of collaboration for circular economy initiatives in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2025). Unravelling Inter‐Organisational Collaboration to Address the Circular Economy Transitions: A Systematic Literature Review. Business Strategy and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70136 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/0a33f835-908f-422a-a5be-26d8f1ad4e8c/inter-organizational-collaboration-is-essential-for-successful-circular-economy-transitions
Paragraph starter
The transition to a circular economy is heavily reliant on inter-organizational collaboration, as organizations must pool diverse knowledge and resources to overcome technical and economic hurdles. This systematic review underscores that successful circularity requires a networked approach, moving beyond isolated efforts to embrace strategic partnerships across the value chain.
Source
Business Strategy and the Environment
Unravelling Inter‐Organisational Collaboration to Address the Circular Economy Transitions: A Systematic Literature Review
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about inter-organizational collaboration is essential for successful circular economy transitions?
- When designing for the circular economy, actively plan for and facilitate inter-organizational partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of circular strategies. Evidence: Business Strategy and the Environment (2025).
- Why does "Inter-organizational collaboration is essential for successful circular economy transitions." matter for design?
- Designers and engineers must recognize that circular product lifecycles and systems are rarely achieved in isolation. Understanding how different entities can effectively collaborate is crucial for designing products and services that can be integrated into broader circular initiatives and value chains.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing for the circular economy, actively plan for and facilitate inter-organizational partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of circular strategies.
- What were the main findings?
- Inter-organizational collaboration is a critical enabler for circular economy transitions.. Three thematic clusters of collaborative approaches were identified.. Five dimensions were outlined to conceptualize circular economy ventures.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review with 78 scientific papers.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Business Strategy and the Environment.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new product or service, map out potential partners (suppliers, recyclers, remanufacturers, consumers) and consider how to structure collaborations to support its circular lifecycle.
- What are the limitations?
- The review is based on existing published literature, which may have its own biases and gaps. The conceptual framework may need further empirical validation.
- Is there evidence that circular economy affects design outcomes?
- The research systematically reviewed existing literature and found that organizations must collaborate to successfully implement circular economy principles, identifying common patterns and a framework for understanding these partnerships. Designers and engineers must recognize that circular product lifecycles and syst Source: Business Strategy and the Environment (2025).
- Where does this economy transitions research apply?
- Business Strategy and Environmental Management It sits within sustainability research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
circular economy design research · evidence on circular economy · does circular economy improve design outcomes · economy transitions studies for designers · circular economy and economy transitions findings · sustainability research evidence