Short answer
When designing or selecting a digital platform for circular economy initiatives, consider which of the six identified archetypes best fits the intended function and business model.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Electronic Markets (2025)
- Method
- Systematic literature review and empirical case study analysis.
- Sample
- 129 cases
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Digital platforms can be strategically designed and categorized into six distinct archetypes to effectively facilitate the transition to a circular economy. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Electronic Markets. Using Systematic literature review and empirical case study analysis. with 129 cases, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing or selecting a digital platform for circular economy initiatives, consider which of the six identified archetypes best fits the intended function and business model.
Six Archetypes of Digital Platforms Accelerate Circular Economy Adoption
Digital platforms can be strategically designed and categorized into six distinct archetypes to effectively facilitate the transition to a circular economy.
Electronic Markets · 2025
Key Findings
- 01A taxonomy of digital platforms for the circular economy was developed.
- 02Six distinct archetypes of circular economy platforms were identified.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing or selecting a digital platform for circular economy initiatives, consider which of the six identified archetypes best fits the intended function and business model.
How to apply
Use the identified archetypes as a strategic tool to map out potential platform features and functionalities for a new circular economy venture, or to benchmark existing platforms.
Project actions
- 01When researching digital solutions for sustainability, look for platforms that fit into one of the identified archetypes.
- 02Consider how your design project could contribute to or create a new archetype of circular economy platform.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a novel taxonomy and archetypes for a complex and evolving field.
- +Empirically grounded in a significant number of real-world cases.
Limitations
The archetypes are generalizations; real-world platforms may exhibit characteristics of multiple archetypes.
Reliability & validity
The systematic literature review and empirical analysis of a large case dataset contribute to the reliability and validity of the identified taxonomy and archetypes.
Think critically
How might the identified archetypes evolve as digital technologies and circular economy practices mature?
Design Principles
"Platform design should be guided by archetypal models that demonstrate proven effectiveness in supporting circular economy objectives."
Understanding these archetypes provides a framework for both developing new circular economy platforms and selecting existing ones that align with specific business goals. This can lead to more efficient resource utilization and reduced waste.
What This Means for Your Design
There are six main types of digital platforms that help businesses be more circular (e.g., by sharing, repairing, or recycling products). Knowing these types helps you build or choose the right platform.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference the identified archetypes when discussing the digital infrastructure or business model of your design project, particularly if it relates to sustainability or the circular economy.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The research by Petrik, Hiller, and Morar (2025) identifies six archetypes of digital platforms that effectively support circular economy transitions. These archetypes offer a valuable framework for understanding the existing solution space and for designing new platforms or selecting appropriate ones for circular business models.
Source
Electronic Markets
Digital platforms for circular economy: Empirical development of a taxonomy and archetypes
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about six archetypes of digital platforms accelerate circular economy adoption?
- When designing or selecting a digital platform for circular economy initiatives, consider which of the six identified archetypes best fits the intended function and business model. Evidence: Electronic Markets (2025).
- Why does "Six Archetypes of Digital Platforms Accelerate Circular Economy Adoption" matter for design?
- Understanding these archetypes provides a framework for both developing new circular economy platforms and selecting existing ones that align with specific business goals. This can lead to more efficient resource utilization and reduced waste.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing or selecting a digital platform for circular economy initiatives, consider which of the six identified archetypes best fits the intended function and business model.
- What were the main findings?
- A taxonomy of digital platforms for the circular economy was developed.. Six distinct archetypes of circular economy platforms were identified.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic literature review and empirical case study analysis. with 129 cases.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Electronic Markets.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Use the identified archetypes as a strategic tool to map out potential platform features and functionalities for a new circular economy venture, or to benchmark existing platforms.
- What are the limitations?
- The taxonomy and archetypes are based on existing cases and may not encompass all future platform configurations.