Defining Value Co-recreation: Towards A Circular Economy Through Emerging Technology-enabled R-strategies

The circular economy (CE) model, which focuses on slowing and closing material loops, is essential for addressing urgent global sustainability challenges. The R-strategies central to CE (e.g. repair) require information systems (IS) and emerging technologies to bridge information gaps, increase resource efficiency, and foster engagement. While previous research has studied the role of information technologies in generating new value, the potentials of IS in establishing product lifetime extending CE strategies cannot be understood through value co-creation alone. Therefore, this conceptual paper proposes a preliminary definition of value co-recreation as collaborative interactions between users and service providers directed at regaining and/or enhancing the value-in-use and value-in-context after a temporary impairment or loss of value. We illustrate this concept through the use case of Internet-of-Things repair. Additionally, we outline actionable research avenues for IS scholars in both behavioural science and design science.