Technological enablers of Lighting-as-a-Service business model for circular lighting: a qualitative study

Purpose The Lighting-as-a-Service (LaaS) business model has emerged as a promising concept to advance circular economy (CE) in the lighting sector. However, the role of technology as an enabler remains inadequately explored within the academic literature. This study aims to investigate the technological enablers of LaaS, their capabilities and interrelationships to circularity principles. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a PRISMA-based systematic review to identify and synthesise relevant literature on the technological enablers particularly supporting LaaS. Subsequently, this study employs qualitative methods drawing on 23 semi-structured interviews with manufacturers, consultants, designers, property and facility managers. Data were transcribed, structured and analysed using a thematic coding process. Findings The findings identify seven interdependent technological clusters enabling the implementation of LaaS, including (1) core lighting technologies, (2) sensing technologies, (3) control technologies, (4) connecting technologies, (5) data analytics tools, (6) service-based platforms and (7) manufacturing technology. This study further demonstrates that the identified technologies primarily support narrowing and slowing resource loops, while tools that support closing and regenerating strategies remain limited. Practical implications This study supports lighting companies in their development, implementation and scaling of LaaS business model. By highlighting the interdependences between technological clusters and circularity strategies, the findings allow practitioners to adopt technologies that collectively enable energy-efficiency, durability and circularity. Originality/value Drawing on qualitative insights, this study identifies technological clusters that collectively and independently support the adoption of LaaS. Moreover, this study links these clusters to the circularity strategies, thereby advancing research on digitisation, business model innovation and CE within the built environment.