Sowing and Harvesting Circular Ideas

Abstract

The civil engineering sector has been said to have potential for profound change when it comes to circularity, as its projects involve very large material flows and have significant impacts on the environment. Nevertheless, its state of the transition is limited which is partially due to the gap between the business model innovation phases ideation and integration. The objective of this research is to provide an approach for organisations in the civil engineering sector to generate circular ideas and test them on the criteria desirability, viability, and feasibility to further develop them into business models. The following research question is defined as a solution for the research gap: How to generate and test circular ideas for their desirability, viability, and feasibility as circular business models for civil engineering services? The methodology designed to answer the research question consists of a literature study to establish the basis for the rest of the research, an ideation workshop to generate and select promising circular ideas, semi-structured interviews to pursue these ideas, an analysis of the results, and finally a design of a framework. The analysis showed that there are organisational and sector-wide motives and deterrents for organisations deciding on whether to further develop a circular idea. The developed framework provides a process with a tool for organisations to further develop a circular idea and test them for their desirability, viability, and feasibility. Eventually establishing a solid thought out idea to be evolved into a business model. The framework is accompanied with a set of recommendations for civil engineering organisations to implement, boosting the pursuit of circular ideas while creating a suitable environment for the transition. The process and framework developed can also be used for innovation in general as they provide tangible and practical steps for them to take their innovative ideas further and to continue developing them into usable business models, without the circular aspect.