Blockchain for the circular economy: Theorizing blockchain's role in the transition to a circular economy through an empirical investigation

Artikel

Blockchain is increasingly lauded as an enabler of the transition to a circular economy. While there is considerable conceptual research and some empirical studies on this phenomenon, scholars have yet to develop a theoretical model of blockchain's role in this transition. Grounded in the sustainability transition literature, this paper addresses this gap through the following research question: What role does blockchain play in the transition to a circular economy? Following an abductive approach, we conducted interviews with ground‐level experts implementing blockchain innovations for the circular economy across Europe and the United States. Through a thematic analysis, we derived a theoretical model of the relationships among (1) drivers and barriers of the transition to a circular economy, (2) blockchain innovation for the circular economy, (3) technical challenges of blockchain, and (4) the circular economy. While blockchain plays a moderating role, interviewees considered it only an infrastructural resource rather than a panacea.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Journal: Business Strategy and the Environment ; ISSN: 1099-0836 ; Volume: 31 ; Year: 2022 ; Issue: 8 ; Pages: 3786-3801 ; Hoboken, NJ: Wiley

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft
• Subject: blockchain ; circular economy ; innovation ; sustainability ; transition

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Böhmecke‐Schwafert, Moritz ; Wehinger, Marie ; Teigland, Robin
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Wiley
• (where): Hoboken, NJ
• (when): 2022

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.1002/bse.3032
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET