Circular Economy in the Construction Industry: Barriers and Drivers for the Implementation of Circularity in Family‐Owned Construction Companies in Germany

IF 12.5 1区管理学 Q1 BUSINESS

Business Strategy and The Environment Pub Date : 2025-04-14 DOI:10.1002/bse.4296

Elena Elisabeth Vollmers, Thomas B. Long

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The circular economy can enhance business sustainability, but its implementation requires the integration of circularity into business models. Circular business model innovation (CBMI) is complex, influenced by multiple barriers and drivers. This research conducts a qualitative case study via semistructured interviews to explore CBMI within the German construction industry and family‐owned businesses. While findings resonate with existing literature, the context of the construction industry and of family ownership introduces specific dynamics. For instance, we find that family ownership can act as both a driver and a barrier to CBMI, fostering long‐term strategic vision while simultaneously reinforcing conservative tendencies, hindering change. Additional notable results include the importance of intergenerational knowledge transfer, an emphasis on slowing resource loops due to long building lifecycles (50–100 years), and the opportunities presented through lobbying efforts to shape policy and industry standards. Accordingly, these interactions necessitate tailored strategies for successful circular transitions.

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建筑业的循环经济：德国家族建筑公司实施循环经济的障碍和驱动力

循环经济可以增强企业的可持续性，但其实施需要将循环性融入商业模式。循环商业模式创新（CBMI）是一个复杂的过程，受到多种障碍和驱动因素的影响。本研究通过半结构化访谈进行定性案例研究，探索德国建筑行业和家族企业中的CBMI。虽然研究结果与现有文献产生共鸣，但建筑行业和家族所有权的背景引入了具体的动态。例如，我们发现家族所有权既可以作为CBMI的驱动因素，也可以作为障碍，培养长期战略愿景，同时强化保守倾向，阻碍变革。其他值得注意的结果包括代际知识转移的重要性，由于建筑生命周期长（50-100年），强调减缓资源循环，以及通过游说努力塑造政策和行业标准所带来的机会。因此，为了成功的循环过渡，这些相互作用需要量身定制的策略。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Business Strategy and The Environment Multiple-

CiteScore

22.50

自引率

19.40%

发文量

336

期刊介绍： Business Strategy and the Environment (BSE) is a leading academic journal focused on business strategies for improving the natural environment. It publishes peer-reviewed research on various topics such as systems and standards, environmental performance, disclosure, eco-innovation, corporate environmental management tools, organizations and management, supply chains, circular economy, governance, green finance, industry sectors, and responses to climate change and other contemporary environmental issues. The journal aims to provide original contributions that enhance the understanding of sustainability in business. Its target audience includes academics, practitioners, business managers, and consultants. However, BSE does not accept papers on corporate social responsibility (CSR), as this topic is covered by its sibling journal Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. The journal is indexed in several databases and collections such as ABI/INFORM Collection, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, BIOBASE, Emerald Management Reviews, GeoArchive, Environment Index, GEOBASE, INSPEC, Technology Collection, and Web of Science.