G5 Doctoral dissertation (article)
From ambivalence to raised ambitions : the needed organisational change for a circular economy among Finnish companies (2024)
Epävarmuuksista kunnianhimoisempaan tekemiseen : kiertotalouteen siirtymiseen vaadittavan organisaatiomuutoksen tarkastelu suomalaisissa yrityksissä

Sarja, M. (2024). From ambivalence to raised ambitions : the needed organisational change for a circular economy among Finnish companies [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Jyväskylä. JYU Dissertations, 827. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-0306-1

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Sarja, Milla

eISBN: 978-952-86-0306-1

Journal or series: JYU Dissertations

eISSN: 2489-9003

Publication year: 2024

Number in series: 827

Number of pages in the book: 1 verkkoaineisto (118 sivua, 35 sivua useina numerointijaksoina, 3 numeroimatonta sivua)

Publisher: University of Jyväskylä

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: English

Persistent website address: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-0306-1

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Abstract

This dissertation explores the circular economy as a means for companies to become more sustainable, with the ever-growing realisation of climate emergency and biodiversity loss serving as motivation to change current business conduct. In the hope of improving sustainability, the circular economy model has generated immense interest. Even with that great potential, however, it has become evident making the circular economy a reality will not be smooth sailing. Companies experience hardship in implementing it, and academics have begun to question its actual linkages with sustainability. What is more, a large proportion of society is not bothered with the model at all, creating an additional obstacle in the process of turning it into a reality. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to investigate what it takes for companies to implement circular economy practices. Moving from a linear economic model to a circular one entails significant changes. Thus, this thesis explores the corporate circular economy journey through the lens of organisational change for sustainability. The employed methodology consisted of a systematic literature review and empirical data investigating both frontrunner and non-frontrunner companies in the circular economy. These were chosen to deepen understanding on circular economy implementation among different organisations, all the while evaluating the interplay between companies and the wider society, as it is in constant motion and triggering responses. This means that while companies are the unit of analysis, the broader society play an important role in this study. The findings of this qualitative study suggest that companies’ organisational change approaches to the circular economy have thus far been modest. This is partly due to practical difficulties in applying the model while it is still incomplete and partly due to uncertainties related to implementing the model. This demonstrates that companies cannot become circular on their own; relevant stakeholders, societal support and policy all have important roles to play. As the model has not been applied to its full potential, the greatest sustainability promises it has to offer are yet to be achieved. Moreover, the circular economy model itself should be revised and considered more broadly rather than being limited to the production and consumption domain. That would create an opportunity for strong sustainability and thus better facilitate the vitally needed paradigm shift to a more sustainable economy.

Keywords: circular economy; enterprises; green economy; green transition; organisational changes; sustainable development; doctoral dissertations

Free keywords: circular economy; sustainable circular economy; corporate circular economy implementation; organisational change; organisational change for sustainability

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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024