Figure 1
Panel A: A diagram comparing linear and circular value chains. The linear value chain shows the destruction of value after a short period of use by discarding products and materials to landfill, with stages including pre-use (comprising extraction, manufacturing, assembly, and retail processes), use, and post-use. The circular value chain shows a cyclical process that adds value in the pre-use stage through maximizing material and energy efficiency, retains value at the highest level during the use stage through reuse, retention, and repair, and preserves residual value in the post-use stage through refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling. Panel B: A flowchart of the research workflow. It includes three main steps: data collection and acquisition, data analysis using constructive grounded theory, and outputs. The first step involves case selection and data collection with criteria for case type, function type, project type, and element type. The second step involves initial coding and axial coding and theory development, focusing on context, intervention, mechanism, and output. The third step involves identifying benchmarks and opportunities in design strategies, business models, and policy transition.Concept of research context: (a) Schematic demonstration of value chain in conventional approach of linear economy compared with proposed circular value chain selected as main core of the research (inspired from Bocken et al., 2016); (b) Research workflow for identifying opportunities and KPIs