Shaping Circular Service Ecosystems

The circular economy (CE) presents an alternative perspective to the linear take-make-use-dispose model prevalent in industrial value chains. CE envisions economies operating like natural ecosystems—restorative and waste-free, underpinned by principles such as reuse, repair, share, pay-for-use. Surprisingly, although these align with fundamentals of service management, there is limited scholarly exploration within research. Leveraging service-dominant logic, this study introduces concept ecosystems ideal types ecosystems, regenerative, embedded nature, where (material, intellectual, digital financial) resources flow seamlessly between nested systems without creating any waste or leakage. By analyzing 3,178 blogs penned experts over 7 years conducting in-depth interviews industry specialists, offers two significant contributions. Firstly, it a process framework elucidating transition towards ecosystems. This explains emergence novel solutions ecosystem properties through processes de- re-institutionalization. Secondly, identifies six shaping strategies that actors can apply drive transitions. concludes emphasizing importance promising areas for future research, providing comprehensive research agenda explore depth.