Browsing by Author "Kuhl, Carl-Christian"

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    The circularity of product-service systems: the role of macro-, meso- and micro-level contextual factors
    (Emerald, 2022-08-23) Kuhl, Carl-Christian; Skipworth, Heather; Bourlakis, Michael; Aktas, Emel
    Purpose: This paper aims to examine the relationships between macro-, meso-, and microlevel contextual factors that enable or inhibit the contribution of Product Service Systems (PSS) to circularity. It is informed by the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) and the multi-level perspective as theoretical lenses. Design/methodology/approach: A theory elaboration approach is used through three in-depth case studies of UK and German manufacturers. Case studies provide use- and result-oriented PSS for personal computers, power tools, and wind turbines. Multiple sources of evidence, including 20 semi-structured interviews, company documents, and quantitative data, are triangulated to improve the validity of the results. Findings: Empirical evidence for relationships between macro-, meso-, and micro-level contextual factors show significant barriers to the extending and cycling of resource loops, primarily through maintenance, repairs, and refurbishment. A firm’s environmental awareness has a determining role in the contribution of PSS to circularity. The evidence from two use-oriented PSS reveals different circularity maturity levels. Originality: This research makes three key contributions. Firstly, it elaborates on NRBV by showing that a firm’s environmental awareness determines product stewardship. The type of product stewardship practices depends on the enabling and inhibiting effects of macro- and meso-level factors. Secondly, it shows that use-oriented PSS have different circularity profiles and proposes three circularity maturity levels. Finally, it provides an empirically validated framework of macro-, meso-, and micro-level enablers and barriers and how they interact to enable or inhibit circularity in PSS.
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    Product-service systems and supply chain circularity: a mixed methods investigation.
    (2021-05) Kuhl, Carl-Christian; Bourlakis, Michael; Aktas, Emel; Skipworth, Heather
    The circular economy (CE) aims to create economic and environmental benefits, by keeping products and materials at highest utility and value through long-lasting design, repair, reuse, refurbishment, and recycling. CE transformation results in a slowing, closing, and narrowing of resource loops, which is also termed supply chain circularity (SCC). Product-service systems (PSSs), in which manufacturers meet customer needs by providing services instead of selling products, are considered key business model innovations for increasing SCC. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence on whether PSSs actually contribute to SCC or whether they are a facade behind which linear ‘business-as-usual’ continues. This PhD thesis conducts a mixed methods investigation of the relationship between PSSs and SCC. It consists of three papers: 1) a systematic literature review (SLR) of 67 papers; 2) a quantitative survey of 206 machinery and equipment manufacturing firms in the United Kingdom (UK); 3) a multiple-case study of three manufacturing firms in Germany and the UK. The findings show that: 1) result-oriented PSSs have the highest potential contribution to SCC, followed by use- and finally product-oriented PSSs; 2) use-oriented PSSs are limited in contributing to a slowing of resource loops through refurbishment; 3) PSSs’ contribution to SCC depends on enabling and inhibiting contextual factors, especially organisational ones. In sum, this PhD study argues that PSSs can only catalyse the transition from a linear to a CE if an enabling business context is established. The PhD makes three key contributions to theory and practice: 1) it provides empirical evidence that PSSs do not inherently contribute to a slowing of resource loops; 2) it develops an empirically validated framework of enablers and barriers, particularly organisational ones; 3) it extends the SCC concept, by developing survey items and offering a first attempt at theorising how the transition to SCC occurs during a manufacturer’s servitization process.