Circular business models: level of maturity

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze circular business models of Brazilian companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed 105 business models of adopting companies from the perspective of the circularity of resources. These were classified as analytical sector category, business model design aligned with sustainability, sustainable practices adopted, level of maturity of business models and determinants of the circularity of resources.

Findings

The results show that companies belonging to the service sector predominate, which, above all, offer the virtualization of processes, sharing, ecological products, socially responsible and emphasis on recycling. Of these, 92.38 percent were already aligned with the sustainability assumptions, which contribute decisively to the operationalization in a circular perspective. Therefore, the materialization of the circular economy (CE) in Brazil is occurring, although there is potential for a stronger engagement with the determinants of the CE, especially in the perspective of the biological cycle and in the short cycles of technical levels.

Originality/value

In addition, the authors promote advances in the maturity levels of business models to optimize the optimal level, where processes are predictable, critically analyzed and continuously improved.

Citation

Sehnem, S., Campos, L.M.S., Julkovski, D.J. and Cazella, C.F. (2019), "Circular business models: level of maturity", Management Decision, Vol. 57 No. 4, pp. 1043-1066. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-07-2018-0844