Circular product development from a multi-level perspective: Adaptations in business networks

Product development based on circular economy principles can lead to environmental and economic benefits by addressing resource use in production–consumption systems. This inter-organisational process affects a business network's resources and can therefore entail challenges in the required collaboration and coordination. Based on the need to better understand how inter-organisational interaction enables business networks to address sustainability challenges, the aim of this paper is to investigate inter-organisational interaction in circular product development. The theoretical framework includes the Industrial Network Approach with a focus on resource interaction and adaptations. Moreover, the multi-level perspective for circular product development is explored, discerning micro, meso and macro levels applied in circular economy literature. The paper relies on a case study of circular product development with a focus on products' longevity and recyclability. Applying a multi-level framework of resource interaction highlighted adaptations in the business network and broader perspectives reflecting the systemic, complex nature of the business environment. The paper contributes to literature on industrial networks and circular economy by illustrating circular product development in business networks from a multi-level perspective. The findings demonstrate both minor and complex adaptations in the business network, and an understanding of the different roles of business and non-business actors. • Circular product development addresses resource use in production-consumption systems. • It entails challenges in collaboration and coordination with business and non-business actors. • Circular product development demands network adaptations and an understanding of actor roles on multiple levels.