A system dynamics-based framework for examining Circular Economy transitions

Decision-makers in the public policy and business arenas need tools to deal with multiple sources of complexity Circular Economy (CE) transitions. System Dynamics (SD) facilitates coping increased by enabling closed-loop thinking via identifying causal structures underlying behaviour permitting proactively experiment system through simulation. This research aims propose test an SD-based framework for examining CE transitions supporting decision-making at micro-, meso-, macro-levels. Two inductive model-based cases studies led formalising framework, finally tested a third deductive case study. The is built upon well-known stages building SD simulation models complemented domain-specific activities, guiding questions, expected outcomes when first modelling-oriented prescriptive approach help researchers practitioners on their journeys understand facilitate changes models.