Unpacking the Circular Economy: A Critical Perspective

In our article “Unpacking the Circular Economy: A Problematizing Review,” we critically explore the circular economy (CE) concept, challenging the conventional wisdom in business and organization studies. Our analysis categorizes the underlying assumptions of CE research into three types: in-house, root metaphor, and ideology. We aim to expand the understanding of CE beyond mere business models and economic growth, advocating for a systemic approach that truly and strongly integrates environmental and social sustainability and justice.

Key Insights

1. In-House Assumptions: We discovered that CE research often focuses on extending existing business theories to new contexts rather than fundamentally questioning these theories in light of CE. This includes assumptions about the relationship between CE and corporate sustainability, business model focus, and the role of stakeholders.
2. Root Metaphor Assumptions: These assumptions are tied to broader images of CE, such as comparing organizations to ecosystems or other natural phenomena. They influence how CE is conceptualized and discussed in the academic world.
3. Ideological Assumptions: We identified dominant ideological assumptions like neoliberalism and ecological modernization, shaping scholarly thinking about growth, consumption, and profit maximization in the context of CE.

Conclusion

Our article proposes three research agendas to rethink circular economy (CE). The first agenda examines the business limitations in CE, scrutinizing the conflation with corporate sustainability and the physical limits of circularity. The second agenda suggests expanding CE agency beyond business models, focusing on systemic approaches and non-business actors. The third agenda encourages exploring more radical CE futures, questioning growth imperatives and considering alternative, inclusive pathways. These agendas aim to broaden and deepen our understanding of CE, guiding future research towards more transformative and sustainable practices. Read more about these agendas in our full article here.