TY - JOUR

T1 - Cradle-to-cradle business model tool

T2 - Innovating circular business models for startups

AU - Hoang, Kim Mai

AU - Böckel, Alexa

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors

PY - 2024/8/15

Y1 - 2024/8/15

N2 - Born circular startups play a pivotal role in implementing high-level circularity to fight resource depletion and address climate change. In developing circular business model innovation, circular startups face the challenge of lacking legitimacy, which can be approached by certifications provided by concepts like Cradle-to-Cradle. As there is currently no supporting tool to develop such business models, this paper employs a design science research approach and proposes a Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) Business Model Tool. The tool is developed based on a literature review, feedback from 42 users in six demonstration workshops and is finally tested with eight startups. It succeeds in aiding born circular startups in navigating the venturing process with a focus on high-level circularity. In this paper, C2C principles developed for the product level are theoretically linked to the business model level. The tool addresses elements such as partnerships, communication, and action-taking, thereby contributing to the literature on circular business model innovation and serving as a practical resource for born circular startups.

AB - Born circular startups play a pivotal role in implementing high-level circularity to fight resource depletion and address climate change. In developing circular business model innovation, circular startups face the challenge of lacking legitimacy, which can be approached by certifications provided by concepts like Cradle-to-Cradle. As there is currently no supporting tool to develop such business models, this paper employs a design science research approach and proposes a Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) Business Model Tool. The tool is developed based on a literature review, feedback from 42 users in six demonstration workshops and is finally tested with eight startups. It succeeds in aiding born circular startups in navigating the venturing process with a focus on high-level circularity. In this paper, C2C principles developed for the product level are theoretically linked to the business model level. The tool addresses elements such as partnerships, communication, and action-taking, thereby contributing to the literature on circular business model innovation and serving as a practical resource for born circular startups.

KW - Business model tool

KW - Circular business model innovation

KW - Circular economy

KW - Circular startups

KW - Cradle-to-Cradle

KW - High-level circularity

KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85196757766&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142949

DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142949

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85196757766

VL - 467

JO - Journal of Cleaner Production

JF - Journal of Cleaner Production

SN - 0959-6526

M1 - 142949

ER -