WP2 - Business models

The aim of WP2 is to assist companies and their staff to seek opportunities and capture value and to overcome barriers regarding commitment, attitudes toward change and new business models.

Best practice and study visits

A fundamental challenge for all profit-driven organizations (and non-profit) is how to create and capture value. Translating this challenge into an efficient governance and business model in a value network (e.g. suppliers and customers) and developing it to also accommodate future challenges (e.g. a circular economy) may for organizations in their daily operations appear to be a daunting task, especially smaller organizations. The aim of this work package is to provide insight and to facilitate the advancement of contemporary business and governance models in value networks for a circular economy in the industry and related important groups, e.g. public organizations and property owners in the Botnia-Atlantica region. The first step will be to map and examine contemporary issues related to business and governance models in value networks through literature reviews and study visits.

Market analysis and supply chain development

This work package will seek collaboration with other units at the university e.g.; the newly established innovation lab with a focus on digitally driven development of economic, ecological and social sustainable cities and rural areas; collaborating partners of this project; and organizations external to the university, both national and internal organizations.

Networking and workshops

Elaborating on the findings from the first phase, business and governance models are further scrutinized and developed by looking at common problems, for example; flawed assumptions underlying the core logic, limitations in the strategic choices considered, misunderstandings about value creation and value capture, and flawed assumptions about the value network. There are of course also other additional perspectives and dimensions that need to be addressed for example new standards and policies, new technologies, planning, evaluation and assessment concepts.

Gender equality

Companies that engage with a wider talent pool will be better equipped to capitalize on innovations, giving them a distinct advantage. Construction industry offers transferable skills in design, administration, creativity, as well as practical construction and project management skills – depending on the specific job role. CE requires investing in design and product development. These are traditional female working sectors, making a shift towards CE an improvement when it comes to women’s employment. These aspects will be incorporated when looking for new business models.

Communication of results

Reports on contemporary business and governance models in value networks in relation to circular economy, in terms of articles and oral presentations, at one Nordic conference and one international conference. The aim is also to discuss and present the findings in a published article in a scientific journal. Documentation and report of the study visits. Prepare presentation material for and follow-up documentation from workshop activities related to the work package.

Contact person

Lars Lindbergh, Umeå University/Umeå School of Business and Economics, Sweden lars.lindbergh@umu.se