Conceptualising the Circular Ecosystem: An Analysis of Multiple Definitions

Abstract

The circular ecosystem (CE) concept is gaining traction among scholars and practitioners. Nonetheless, the understanding or conceptualisation of the concept is patchy, and this has the propensity to significantly affect the acceptance and assimilation of the concept into the fabric of the industrial community. This study aims to establish a transparent comprehension of the circular ecosystem concept. To this end, this study obtained 55 circular ecosystem samples of definitions, which were coded using 44 dimensions. This study illustrated that CE is mainly described as a shift from the circularity in single firms to circularity within a community of firms, achieved by networking, collaborations, configuration, platformisation, integration and symbiotic cooperation among diverse players in the business ecosystem. This study proposed a unique and comprehensive CE definition that captures the CE enablers, aims, core principles and beneficiaries. As far as the researcher is concerned, this is the first attempt to provide an extensive CE conceptualization using an empirical methodology. This will offer scholars a broader definition of CE. This current study also established that the CE is enabled by complementarity, defining roles, nurturing, governance, business models, actors, coordination, integration, biomimicry and sharing. This study also proposed a framework the captures the various CE aims, enablers, principles and beneficiaries into a single model. Finally, this study makes the CE concept more coherent and provides directions for future studies.