Transition Towards a Circular Economy for Mobile Telephones: A Qualitative Analysis on Misalignments in the Socio-Technical System
Summary
The circular economy receives growing recognition and is becoming a spear point in the EU’s economic and environmental policies. Implementing the circular economy requires all actors in a system to adapt to this new standard altogether. The multi level perspective is a theory that can explain the process of large-scale innovation changing entire socio-technical systems. Perspectives of different social groups – regimes - need to become aligned to ensure implementation of the large-scale innovation. This thesis adopts this theory and analyses the current status of the regime alignment regarding the implementation of the circular economy for mobile phones in the EU. Nine experts covering different regimes in this socio-technical system are interviewed. This data is discussed and triangulated with desk- and literature research. 30 misaligned relations are found, covering 14 different topics. These 14 topics are categorized under 3 broad topics. First, the current policy regime is both promoting and hampering the circular economy with different legislations. Second, no circular business models are in place resulting in market transactions, design issues, and lack of incentives between manufacturers and end-of-life service providers. Finally, some residual misalignments are found and presented. Also, the case for transparency and traceability emerged and is emphasized as a facilitating and supporting role in creating trust and awareness and foster regime alignment.