Call for Chapters: Research Handbook of Innovation for a Circular Economy

Call for chapters

 

The linear model of extracting, using and discharging resources is not sustainable and the Circular Economy (CE) offers an alternative model replacing 'end-of-life' concept with reducing, alternatively reusing, recycling and recovering materials in production, distribution and consumption. The transition to a more CE has become a top priority for government policy and a key strategic area for many businesses.

The transition to a CE requires innovation at the firm, industry and societal levels. CE involves the creation and implementation of new business models where the resource flows are reduced, and materials are reused and recycled. The CE transition relies on more open innovation processes, where a range of actors collaborate, such as producers, customers, suppliers, academics and governments. Moreover, the CE transition can be facilitated by digital technologies and platforms enabling innovation and collaboration where the organization of data into meaningful systems is needed for strategies and decision making.

While the literature on innovation for a CE is emerging with several conceptual contributions, more empirical evidences and in-depth studies of CE enablers and barriers at different levels is needed. Furthermore, the potential and effects of digitalization on open innovation is scarcely investigated, particularly in a CE context. With this background, this book will examine the transition towards CE through innovation, new business models, collaboration and digitalization at different levels (e.g. firm, inter-firm, system). The book will explore examples of both successful and unsuccessful attempts of CE initiatives in the private and public sector.

 

We are seeking contributions to the Research Handbook of Innovation for a Circular Economy. A brief outline of potential sections and topics of the book are listed below. Due to relatively tight deadlines, we anticipate that authors build on work in progress and data that has already been collected. We plan to include chapters authored by a mix of senior and junior scholars. We invite scholars from institutions around the world to contribute with both empirical and conceptual work. The maximum length of the chapter is about 15 pages/5,000 words. More detailed formatting guidelines will be provided. 

We ask potential contributors to supply a tentative title, an abstract (150 words) and 6 keywords for their intended chapter. The abstract should include the objectives of the chapter, the methods used, and the potential findings and implications of your work for research and practice. Abstracts should be submitted by email with the heading 'Handbook Submission' to siri.jakobsen@nord.no before 1^st June 2020. Feedback will be given within 2 weeks and we plan the following timeline for invited chapters:   

• Submission of full manuscripts: 1^st September 2020 
• Presentation at the Circular Economy Conference 2020: September 2020 (optional) 
• 1st review completed: 1^st November 2020
• Workshop at University of Turin: Late November 2020 (optional)
• 2nd version due: 1^st February 2021  
• Final version due: 1^st March 2021 

Structure of the book

1) Introduction 

2) Collaborative Innovation for a Circular Economy  

• Collaboration/open innovation 
• Barriers and enablers (e.g. financial, societal, regulative and policy) 
• IP strategies for handling CE 
• Innovation in public sector and public procurement 
• The role of intermediary actors and policy in accelerating CE  

3) New Business models and strategies for Circular Economy 

• Developing business models to overcome CE transition barriers 
• CE strategies for risk reduction and value creation  
• Managerial factors and responses that influence adoption of CE practice 
• Financial innovation to promote CE investments 

4) Digital Innovation for a Circular Economy 

• The role of digital technologies in enabling CE 
• Approaches for applying digital technologies for CE 
• Developing digital platforms for CE 

5) Processes and Ecosystems for Circular Economy Innovation 

• CE in specific sectors (e.g. bio, electronics, plastic, built environment, metals and mining) 
• Regional CE (e.g. bio-region, industrial symbiosis) 
• Facilitate the development of ecosystems for CE 
• Commercializing scientific knowledge leading to CE impact 

 

We have a contract with Edward Elgar Publishing (EEP) to publish the book. EEP is a leading independent academic and professional publisher with a strong focus on the social sciences and legal fields. They publish 400 book and journal titles annually and have successfully created a prestigious list of over 7,000 titles. 

Upon publication, the book will be available in hardcover print format, and electronically as an ebook. A paperback priced ebook will be made available for individuals to purchase via Google Play and ebooks.com simultaneously with the hardcover edition. The Publisher will also produce a paperback edition of the Handbook 12-18 months after publication of the hardcover edition. The contributors will each receive a complimentary copy of the work on publication.

EEP ensures that the book and its individual chapters will be prominently visible and discoverable online in the citation indexes (such as Web of Science and Scopus), Elgaronline and search engines such as GoogleScholar in order to maximise sales and citations. EEP is ranked at the highest level (nivå 2) in the Norwegian Register for Scientific Journals, Series and Publishers.

 

Please feel free to contact any of the editors below if you need any further information or want to discuss a potential contribution to this book: