The purpose of this open access edited collection is to discuss the role and importance of stakeholder engagement in a sustainable circular economy from multiple theoretical and practical perspectives. Developing and maintaining a circular economy is an essential step to a more environmentally friendly and socially inclusive society. In addition to redesigning products and business models to minimise waste and increase the reuse of materials, a transition towards a sustainable circular economy requires collaboration and co-operation between various stakeholders from all parts of society. An international team of contributors explore how stakeholder engagement can foster and support sustainable change, assessing current literature and laying out guidance for future study. The collection is of interest to academics and students of sustainability management and sustainable business models, stakeholder theory and practice, and the circular economy.
Author(s): Johanna Kujala, Anna Heikkinen, Annika Blomberg
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 471
City: London
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
1 Outlining Stakeholder Engagement in a Sustainable Circular Economy
Purpose of this Volume
Conceptual Underpinnings
A Sustainable Circular Economy
Engaging Stakeholders in a Circular Economy
The Construct of Stakeholder Engagement
Structure of this Volume
Part I: Theoretical and Conceptual Starting Points
Part II: Multi-Stakeholder Participation and Collaboration
Part III: Value Creation Opportunities
Part IV: Novel Approaches to Stakeholder Engagement
Future Research Avenues
References
Part I Theoretical and Conceptual Starting Points
2 How Did It Come to Be? Circular Economy as Collective Stakeholder Action
Introduction
Conceptual Background
Stakeholder Engagement
Institutions for Collective Action and Resource Governance
Performativity and the Effects of Stakeholder Engagement on Collective Action
Research Design
Interpretive Analysis of Organisational Narratives
Research Setting
Data Collection
Analysis
Findings
Stakeholder Roles
Sub-Processes
Pragmatic Translation
Collective Definition
Amplification and Legitimisation
Building Institutional Infrastructure
Outcome: Enabling Experimentation
Discussion
Theoretical Implications
Limitations, Critiques and Future Research
Conclusion
Appendix 2.1: Data Sources
References
3 Engaging Stakeholders in the Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review
Introduction
A Stakeholder Engagement Perspective on CE
Method
Article Selection Procedure
Data Analysis Procedure
Findings
Descriptives
Stakeholder Engagement Patterns in CE
Moral Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Stakeholder Engagement
Pragmatic Stakeholder Engagement
Discussion
Theoretical Implications
Managerial Implications
Research Agenda
Conclusion
References
4 Developing Sustainable Partnerships for Circular Economies: A Literature Review
Introduction
Partnerships in a Circular Economy
Quintuple Helix Model
Methodology
Results
Building Blocks for Developing Sustainability Partnerships for Circular Economies
Vision
Stakeholders
Process
Obstacles of Sustainability Partnerships for Circular Economies
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Part II Multi-Stakeholder Participation and Collaboration
5 Multi-Stakeholder Networks in a Circular Economy Transition: A Typology of Stakeholder Relationships
Introduction
Multi-Stakeholder Networks in a Circular Economy
Relationships in a Multi-Stakeholder Network
Empirical Material and Analysis
Stakeholder Relationships in Catalysing a Circular Economy: A Typology of Relationships Among Circular Economy Stakeholders
Directive Relationships
Mediative Relationships
Collaborative Relationships
Competitive Relationships
Stakeholder Relationships and Their Roles in Accelerating the Circular Economy
Discussion
Conclusions
References
6 Developing a Participatory Approach to Support Decision-Making in Waste Management
Introduction
Theoretical Framework
Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM)
Stakeholder Engagement in Multi-Stakeholder Networks
Combining the Two Approaches
Research Design
Workshop I: Mapping Decision-Making Processes for Developing Waste Management
Workshop II: A Participatory MCDM Exercise
Findings
Waste Management Value Chain as an Issue-Based Multi-Stakeholder Network
Structured MCDM Workshops as Practical Tools for Deliberation
Discussion
Limitations of the Study
Conclusions
References
7 How to Engage Stakeholders in Circular Economy Ecosystems: The Process
Introduction
The Stakeholder Engagement Process in CE Ecosystems
Stakeholder Engagement as a Process for Achieving a CE
CE Ecosystems as a Setting for Stakeholder Engagement
Synthesis
Methodology
Research Design and Case Selection
Data Gathering and Analysis
Findings
Case Analysis
Case A: Centrally Coordinated CE Ecosystem—Publicly Organised Regional Endeavour to Manage a Local By-Product in a Circular Way
Case B: Centrally Coordinated CE Ecosystem—National Beverage Packaging Recycling
Case C: Centrally Coordinated CE Ecosystem—Global Sustainable Fast-Food Business
Case D: Self-Organised CE Ecosystem—Regional Public–Private Collaboration for Shared Good
Case E: Self-Organised CE Ecosystem—National Nutrient Recycling
Case F: Self-Organised CE Ecosystem—National Environmentally Sustainable Construction Sector
Steps of the Stakeholder Engagement Processes
Four Archetypes of the Stakeholder Engagement Processes for a CE System-Level Goal
Attracting Magnets
Sieve
Chain Reaction
Rush Hour
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Part III Value Creation Opportunities
8 Stakeholder Engagement Mechanisms and Value Creation in Circular Entrepreneurship
Introduction
Theoretical Background
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder Value Creation
Stakeholder Engagement Mechanisms for Value Creation in Circular Entrepreneurship
Methods
Four Finnish Circular Firms and the Key Engagement Mechanisms with Their Stakeholders
Spinnova
Kamupak
Lovia
Sulapac
Discussion
Conclusions
Appendix 8.1: Interview Guides
References
9 Alignment Through Value Consolidation Mechanisms—Focusing on Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Circular Economy
Introduction
Alignment and Misalignment of Cognition, Goals, and Practices in Multi-Stakeholder Settings
Dealing with Institutional Hybridity: Consolidation Mechanisms
Research Methods
Results
Institutional Logics of Finnish Circular Economy Field
Cognitive Alignment in Collaborative Value Creation
Goal Alignment in Collaborative Value Creation
Practice Alignment in Collaborative Value Creation
Discussion
Conclusions
Appendix 9.1 CLIC and ECO3 Stakeholder Maps
References
10 Coopetition for a Circular Economy: Horizontal Initiatives in Resolving Collective Environmental Challenges
Introduction
Theoretical Background
Coopetition as a Form of Collaboration
Coopetition Enabling a Sustainable CE
Engaging Competitors as Stakeholders in a CE
Methodology
Research Design and Case Sampling
Data Collection and Analysis
Findings
Agreements for Industry Standards Supporting a CE
Pre-Competitive R&D and Knowledge-Sharing for a CE
Platforms Enabling CE Business Models
Reverse Logistics Systems for Circular Operations
Coopetition for a CE: Synthesis
Discussion
Theoretical Contributions
Practical Implications
Limitations and Future Research
Conclusion
References
Part IV Novel Approaches to Stakeholder Engagement
11 Enablers of a Circular Economy: A Strength-Based Stakeholder Engagement Approach
Introduction
The Strength-Based Approach
Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciative Intelligence
Stakeholder Engagement
Context and Methods
Findings
Individual Level
Organisational Level
Societal Level
Discussion
Conclusion
References
12 In the Margins of Stakeholder Engagement: Fringe Stakeholders’ Inclusion in Sustainability Transition Initiatives
Introduction
A Comprehensive Definition of Fringe Stakeholders
Fringe Stakeholders in Multi-Stakeholder Approaches
Fringe Stakeholder Perspectives on Sustainability Transition
Giving Voice to Fringe Stakeholders in Stakeholder Engagement Research
Conclusions
References
13 Connecting the Circular Economy and Sustainability: Finnish Stakeholder Perceptions
Introduction
The Circular Economy and Sustainability
Research on the Circular Economy
Connection to Sustainability
Methods
Data Generation
Data Analysis
Findings
Business-Centric Circular Economy
Systemic Circular Economy
Regenerative Circular Economy
Discussion
Practical Implications
Limitations and Directions for Future Research
Conclusions
References
Index
