Value co-creation within ecosystem: How value co-creation within industrial cluster could support a circular economy?

Abstract

This thesis examines how value co-creation within industrial clusters can enhance a circular economy, focusing on reusable cutleries. Utilizing a single case study approach across diverse sectors including forest industry, manufacturing, quick service restaurants, and logistics, the research identifies significant barriers to implementing circular economy principles, such as technological limitations, organizational resistance, and consumer hesitance. Key findings emphasize the importance of industrial symbiosis, suggesting that sustainability within clusters depends on effective resource sharing and collaboration among businesses. The study demonstrates that overcoming these barriers requires robust inter-organizational cooperation and integration, positioning value co-creation not merely as a business strategy but as an essential framework for advancing sustainable development. The conclusions provide both theoretical enhancements to the circular economy discourse and practical guidance for industry managers aiming to foster circular practices within their operations.