Open Innovation for Circular Economy Transition

This chapter examines how open innovation (OI) supports the transition to a circular economy (CE), as the European framework envisions. The results of literature exploration highlight the potential of OI to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and resource circularity, overcoming the limitations of closed innovation systems and networks. The discussion is structured strategically around CE’s three implementation levels: macro (policy), meso (industrial networks), and micro (organizational practices). Key insights include how organizational culture and structure influence OI adoption and how collaborative practices enable effective CE models in all implementation levels. Challenges such as organizational resistance and regulatory barriers are explored, alongside strategies for addressing them. The chapter concludes by identifying future research needs, including sector-specific frameworks and tools for measuring OI’s impact on CE. This chapter is a resource for stakeholders aiming to accelerate the CE transition.