Cascades are an inherent part of the circular economy. Each resource is reused in multiple steps of a staircase model, cascading down with each step. This requires efforts from multiple stakeholders, raising questions about the successful implementation in different business models.

Collaboration

Collaboration is essential for implementing circular cascade design. We explored collaboration principles in a cascade system and concluded that collaboration requires transparency, sharing and connecting. Partnerships start with an intrinsic motivation and a shared vision. These three collaboration principles help mitigate challenges along the way towards this vision.

Co-creation

Individual business models become intertwined in a collaborative business model. Not one organization is exclusively in charge. This requires a flexible collective system, alternating between contributing collectively and taking charge of specific contributions. This process of co-creation is based on trust, consciousness and sharing knowledge, resources and materials.

The results of this research were presented at the ISPIM Innovation Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, 5-9 June and the New Business Models Conference, Rome, Italy, 22-24 June.

Download the conference paper.

Written by:
Janssen, Karen : Avans University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands; Kumar Ambavaram, Aneel: Grameena Vikas Kendram Society for Rural Development, India; Van den Dungen, Sanne : Yassasree BV, Netherlands