Abstract Background:  Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been identified as a sustainable alternative to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. EV sales are starting to reach significant numbers. Subsequently, the demand for Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs), a key component in EVs, has increased. Due to the higher demand, a greater volume of LIBs will enter the waste stream. The waste-management strategies commonly used for the disposal of LIBs create potential risks of soil and air pollution, affecting the sustainability of EVs. The underdeveloped waste-management strategies, and the environmental and social risks related to improper disposal of LIBs, makes the study of second-life strategies of LIBs relevant.  Circular Economy (CE) promotes circular instead of linear flows of materials to reduce environmental impacts and maximize resource efficiency. LIB recycling is gaining popularity since LIBs contain valuable metals such as cobalt and lithium. A major challenge for LIB recycling is developing economical ways to extract and process metals from spent LIBs. The reviewed literature points to aresearch gap formed by the lack of study on the standardization of LIBs aimed to improve LIB recycling. The research gap is relevant because the reviewed literature points to a connection between standardization, innovation, and sustainability. Innovation of LIBs is a driver of sustainable transportation solutions, and the study of LIB standardization is relevant for two reasons. Firstly, standardization may influence further innovations needed to enable sustainable transportation. Secondly, standardization is relevant to achieve better recycling of LIBs and reduce the negative environmental and health effects of improper LIB disposal. Objectives:  During the development of the theoretical framework, two paradoxes were observed. The first paradox is between the dimensions of innovation and sustainability. Innovation acts positively on sustainability by enabling LIB development necessary to include EVs in the transportation sector. On the other hand, improper disposal of LIBs results in pollution affecting sustainability negatively. The second paradox is between the dimensions of standardization and innovation. Academics perceive standardization either as an enabler or as a hinder to innovation. Standardization enables innovation by giving a path and conditions for further technological developments, but standardization could also constrain the freethinking needed in innovation. Considering that innovation of LIBs has been a driver in the development of EVs, often described as a sustainable transportation solution, the study of LIBs’ standardization is relevant in the context of further innovation and higher sustainability goals.  The purpose of this study is to help to fill the gap in existing research on LIB recycling by exploring what factors in the dimensions of standardization, innovation, and sustainability are perceived as relevant for LIBs’ standardization aimed for better recycling. Moreover, the purpose of this thesis is also to explore how these factors influence further innovation of LIBs. Consequently, this thesis seeks to answer the following research question: What factors are perceived to be relevant for standardization of LIBs in the dimensions of standardization, innovation and sustainability aimed to improve recycling, and why? Also, how could these factors influence innovation of LIBs? Methodology:  Research in standardization aimed for recycling of LIBs is in its infancy. Therefore, the research problem is perceived as unstructured and modestly understood. Consequently, an exploratory research design has been selected for this thesis. The chosen research strategy was to conduct a case study focused on automotive firms. The selection of the case was based on four criteria. The first criterion was to select a firm in Sweden. The second criterion was to choose a firm with a defined strategy towards electric vehicles and a track of being innovative. A third criterion behind the selection was the firm’s potential for growth in units sold. The fourth criterion was that the firm should have a publicly known ambition or strategy towards sustainability. Volvo Cars Corporation (VCC) fulfilled all four criteria and was selected as the study case for this thesis. Data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with key organizational members involved in work related to second-life strategies of LIBs, development of LIBs, sustainability analysis, andlegislations or standardization. The sampling then focused on informants in the business areas of R&D,which covers these organizational activities. The interview questions were based on factors found to berelevant during the literature review within the dimensions of standardization, innovation, and sustainability. Also, each factor was associated with corresponding attributes. The formulation of the interview questions aimed to explore the relevance of an attribute for the standardization of LIBs aimed for better recycling and to explore how the factor influences innovation. The explored factors in the dimension of standardization were the source of standard, working groups for standardization development, practices during standard development, and design of standards. Meanwhile, the explored factors in the dimension of innovation were network effects and barriers to entry. In the sustainability dimension, the explored factors were exploration-exploitation balance and network effects.  The data analysis for the interviewees was based on first-order categorization of the answers, followed by creating second-order themes. The first-order categories and second-order themes were used for analyzing and assessing the relevance of the explored factors for the standardization of LIBs. Afterward, the second-order and aggregate themes were considered for the analysis of the factors’ influence on innovation. Moreover, the second-order themes have been used to identify new relevant factors to be considered in the standardization of LIBs with an influence in innovation. In this work, those identified relevant factors are referred asidentified elements. Finally, the analysis for the influence of the identified elements on innovation was visualized by the elaboration of a thematic map.  Results & Analysis:  The explored factors of standardization sources, working groups for standardization development, practices during development of standards and design of standards within the dimension of standardization were perceived as relevant and influenced innovation in combination with other identified elements. The most relevant identified elements were maturity, rigid standards, harmonization, flexibility, tacit knowledge, and culture. Maturity and rigid standards were perceived as the dominant among the identified elements by being important to avoid a negative influence on innovation caused by technology lock-in and obsolescence of the developed standards. Regarding identified elements with a positive influence on innovation, harmonization, culture, tacit knowledge, and flexibility are perceived as relevant to innovation by enabling common solutions in harmonized alliances, clarity in scope for the standards, and allowing freedom in the choice of methods. In the case of explored factors in the dimensions of innovation and sustainability, the explored factors of networks effects, entry barriers, and exploration-exploitation were perceived as relevant for the standardization of LIBs. Moreover, the results of the identified elements showed technology lock-in and iiiinefficient products as the biggest influence negatively affecting innovation and sustainability,respectively. The most important identified elements are maturity and investments for the technology lock-in aggregate theme, whereas efficiency, pricing, and environmental impact are identified for the case of inefficient products. Regarding aggregate themes enabling innovation and sustainability, they were presented in the form of resource and process optimization, market dynamics, and holistic view. Among the dominant identified elements enabling innovation are efficiency and specialized facilities.In addition to positive and negative aggregate themes, the aggregate theme of technology path was created. This aggregate theme refers to a technology development path that could influence innovation and or sustainability in potentially different ways: positive, neutral, or negative. The dominant identified elements in this theme are infrastructure, social realm, and consumer preference and awareness. Conclusions:  This thesis explored the relevance of factors in the dimensions of standardization, innovation, and sustainability on LIB standardization and their influence on the innovation of LIBs. The exploration of the factors’ perceived relevance answered the research question and resulted in new identified elementsrelevant to be considered in the standardization of LIBs with an influence on innovation. Consequently, this thesis fulfilled its purpose by helping to fill the gap in the existing research on LIB recycling. The main conclusions for the exploration of factors within the dimension of standardization are two. Firstly, the explored factors are relevant to be considered in the standardization of LIBs. Secondly, the exploration led to the new identified elements with negative and positive influence on innovation. The identified elements of maturity and rigid standards showed a negative influence on innovation in the form of technology lock-in or obsolescence of standards. However, the identified elements of harmonization, flexibility, tacit knowledge, and culture, showed a positive influence on further innovation of LIBs. The main conclusions for the dimensions of sustainability and innovation were that the explored factors are relevant in LIB standardization. Also, high compatibility between LIB manufacturers and recyclers raises challenges towards innovation while supporting sustainability. Also, consumer preferences and their shifts play a central role with negative and positive influence on innovation and sustainability and as a driver to certain segments of standardization.

Waste is a complex challenge when it comes to reaching a more sustainable society, to achieve this everyone needs to get involved, not only in the own household but also at the workplace. Unsorted waste increases the risk of toxic substances being released in nature as well as a more rapid depletion of resources which then results in an increase of required amounts of energy to be utilized. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence employees’ behaviors regarding waste sorting at municipal workplaces. By gaining a better understanding of the factors that affect this behavior and the role attitudes play in it, obstacles and opportunities for achieving higher levels in the waste hierarchy could be identified. A survey was conducted amongst employees at a Swedish municipality to study what influenced the frequency of the waste sorting they performed. A significant difference between behavior at home and in the workplace was confirmed. The results showed that attitudes about the importance of waste sorting did influence behavior, but there were factors that hindered the behavior from occurring more frequently. Lack of knowledge about waste management, unclear routines, perceived low engagement from colleagues and thus no clearly established social norms, as well as poor access to sorting bins, were factors that proved to disrupt the correlation between attitudes and behavior. The motivation and willingness for more accurate waste sorting exist among employees, but more education, greater access to sorting facilities, and transparency from management are needed.

The waste and carbon emissions in Sweden is comprehensively contributed by the construction industry. With focus on the growing need for raw materials, reports indicate that by 2060 the use of raw materials is expected to increase by 50%. It is evident that the production of windows can have negative environmental consequences, from extraction to its contribution to a building’s energy consumption. By centering on the circular economy framework, this study aims to promote reuse of windows, by focusing on environmental, economic and quality factors. Through literature reviews, case studies and stakeholder interviews, this study focus upon window reuse in construction projects in a feasible manner. The absence of knowledge and logistical concerns hinders the reuse of windows, despite its environmental and economic benefits. Reuse relies on inventory, digital logistics and collaboration among stakeholders as a vital key motivator. Furthermore, limited support and resources has been identified as some of the key obstacles for progress and implementation of reuse of windows. Emphasizing on the importance of responsibility allocation and considering sustainability throughout the entire construction process. Quality criteria for window reuse include energy efficiency and cultural value. Despite challenges such as economics, logistics, collaboration and the share of knowledge, it’s believed that this study can significantly transform the reuse process and steer towards a more sustainable future. / Bygg- och fastighetssektorn står för en stor andel av Sveriges koldioxidutsläpp samt av den energi som förbrukas i Sverige. Sektorns användning av råmaterial tenderar att stiga och förväntas fördubblas till 2060. Utvecklingen skapar ett tydligt behov av att minska sektorns negativa miljöpåverkan och öka återbruket av byggmaterial, som för närvarande står för 35% av Sveriges totala avfall. Fönster är en komplex del av en byggnad vars utformning kan variera avsevärt och ha stor inverkan på hur energieffektiv en byggnad är. Vidare har fönster krav på både estetik, komfort och funktion. Produktionen av fönster kan ha negativa miljökonsekvenser, från råvaruutvinning till dess bidrag på en byggnads totala energiförbrukning vid bruksskedet. Denna studie fokuserar på återbruk av fönster för att minska miljöpåverkan och öka resurseffektiviteten.Studiens syfte är att identifiera och optimera återbruksprocessen av fönster och samtidigt beakta miljö, ekonomi och kvalitetskrav. Frågeställningar inkluderar hur återbruk kan främjas, vem som styr och fattar beslut om återbruk, samt vilka kvalitetskriterier som behövs för fönster. För att besvara frågeställningarna kombineras de tre tillvägagångssätten; litteraturstudie, fallstudier och intervjuer med branschaktörer. Med tillvägagångssättet undersöks utmaningar, möjligheter samt vem som lämpligast driver frågan om återbruk av fönster i ett projekt. Målet med studien är att utforma en handlingsplan för resurseffektivt återbruk. Studiens teoretiska ramverk bygger på konceptet om cirkulär ekonomi, som syftar till att minska avfall och främja återanvändning.Resultatet av studien visar att både miljömässiga och ekonomiska aspekter motiverar återbruk av fönster inom bygg- och fastighetssektorn. De främsta utmaningarna identifieras som relaterade till logistik, brist på kunskap och motstånd mot förändring. Åtgärder såsom inventering, digitala logistikportaler och ökad medvetenhet föreslogs för att främja återbruk av fönster. Implementering av återbruk av fönster och därmed cirkulärt byggande kräver att dessa utmaningar adresseras, vilket kan underlättas om aktörer inom sektorn samarbetar. Utmaningar vid implementering kan uppstå på grund av bristande stöd från beslutsfattare och resursallokering. Begränsningar i tidigare forskning och den svenska marknadens förutsättningar kan påverka resultatets betydelse utanför Sverige. Studienbelyser vikten av ansvarsfördelning och att beakta hållbarhet genom hela byggprocessen. Kvalitetskriterier för återbruk av fönster avser energieffektivitet och kulturellt värde. Trots utmaningar som ekonomi och logistik, kan samarbete och kunskapsdelning effektivisera återbruksprocessen och leda sektorn mot en mer hållbar framtid.

Today, we live according to the linear economy which depletes the planet's resources and gives rise to large amounts of waste. The circular economy, on the other hand, can be seen as a kind of cycle where the extraction of raw materials is minimized, and reuse is to be maximized. The generation of waste should preferably be avoided. This study aims to investigate how circular micro-enterprises engage with the principles of the circular economy and to identify any associated difficulties or challenges connected to circular economy. The study also examines whether these companies utilize specific tools to measure their circularity. Four companies were interviewed through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and the data was analyzed using thematic analysis as a guiding framework. The findings revealed several challenges associated with implementing circular economy practices, including issues related to transportation and behavior patterns. Furthermore, the majority of the four respondents reported not using any specific tools to measure their circularity, although some companies employ life cycle analysis to assess the environmental impact of their products or services. There is a clear need for the development of standardized tools that facilitate the assessment of circularity for companies, enabling easy comparison and evaluation of progress in adopting circular economy principles.

The transport sector, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. However, the use of lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries in EVs raises sustainability concerns due to their limited lifespan, high costs, potential raw material shortages, and the environmental impact of raw material mining. These concerns necessitate the incorporation of sustainable development strategies into EV innovation plans. With a booming EV market, both luxury and non-luxury brands are being urged to adopt circular economy strategies, such as battery reuse and recycling, to enhance the brand-customer relationship. While the automotive industry has begun implementing these strategies, there is limited research on how they affect customer acceptance and the impact on luxury versus non-luxury brands. This thesis examines the existence of differences and influence of these circular economy strategies on the EV industry, with a particular focus on li-ion batteries, and analyzes their impact on luxury and non-luxury automotive EV brands.

Cities, as epicenters of resource consumption and waste production, play a crucial role in spearheading the transition towards a circular economy, where waste is minimized and the lifecycle of resources is maximized. Fashion industry activities, in particular, are predominantly concentrated in the urban context, from design activities to consumption and disposal. Given their role as centers of entrepreneurship and innovation, what opportunities and challenges do cities present in facilitating an industrial paradigm shift towards circularity in the fashion industry? How do entrepreneurial actors and supportive intermediaries pave the way toward a circular system? This dissertation examines the processes of entrepreneurship and the dynamics of learning that propel the fashion industry toward a circular economy, or circular fashion. It brings together literature on circular economy businesses and entrepreneurship with economic geography insights into the localized processes of innovation and entrepreneurship within cultural and creative industries. The three papers presented contribute to the expanding field of research and practice in the circular economy and circular fashion by underscoring the significance of proximity relations, entrepreneurial initiatives, and the dynamics of knowledge intermediation. Through a systematic literature review and a case study of New York City’s fashion industry, the three papers cultivate a nuanced understanding on the micro-dynamics of circular fashion entrepreneurship and relational processes that accompany the transition towards circular fashion. They highlight the importance of the interplay between geographical and non-geographical proximities, place-based entrepreneurial initiatives, and knowledge coordination efforts, offering a comprehensive view of the circular fashion landscape and policy implications.

Yes / The role of closed loop supply chains (CLSC) for creating and recovering value is widely acknowledged in supply chain management and there are many examples, mainly in the business-to-business sector, of successful OEM remanufacturing. The integration of value creation and recovery activities into retail customer value propositions is, however, under researched and raises many challenges, especially in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) retail where few real world examples have been published. The recent emergence of the term ‘circular economy’ has initiated further debate about closed loop value propositions and closed loop supply chain implications. This paper selects four circular economy-led closed loop product case examples from a major European FMCG company, and assesses, at a high level, how these cases created value, for whom value was created, and key challenges in their implementation. The findings highlight that each case is different. Closing loops and creating successful value propositions is complex and requires simultaneous reconfiguration of key building blocks to ensure customer acceptance and business viability. The paper proposes the term ‘circular supply chain’ for cases where circular economy principles are explicitly incorporated in CLSC for value creation.

No / This research is an attempt to identify the kind of culture which is needed for a major transnational company to become a circular economy based organization based on the guidelines of Ellen McArthur Foundation. It aims to identify and learn from organizations with the relevant culture on the particular traits which may assist other organizations foster the culture required to implement a circular economy strategy. The information gathered is expected to contribute empirical information on culture management for circular economy strategy and an attempt to fill in the literature gap on strategy, mind-set shift and culture change, especially in transitioning towards sustainable business practices. The thesis mind-map and outline of chapters have been provided. Literature pointed out that alignment between organizational culture and strategy ensures successful implementation. The development of a more sustainable economic model, the circular economy, has triggered organizations to look into their business strategies and adjust accordingly. This research is an attempt to identify and learn from organizations with relevant culture on the particular traits which may assist other organizations foster the culture required to implement a circular economy strategy. The researchers applied Johnson’s (2001) cultural web and other relevant literatures on organizational culture, leadership, collaboration, and form constructs for an exploratory case study. Several management qualities have been mentioned namely the development of cross-functional teams, establishment of relationships beyond transactional partnerships, a risk oriented learning environment, entrepreneurial organization culture and structure, and empathetic leadership.

Yes / Circular Economy (CE) and the adoption of its principles globally are more important than ever to sustain the rate of production of goods and services to meet the ever-increasing consumer demand that is burdening the environment and society. This study investigates the adoption of CE principles amongst emerging economies as the challenges faced by these economies are generally different in terms of resource availability, varying government policies and consumer behaviour from those of developed economies. This research presents an empirically validated CE adoption model using a sample of 183 consumer responses. The study highlights the strong influence of factors such as consumer behaviour on the acceptance of remanufactured products and using products as a service to encourage the adoption of CE practices in emerging economies. This research offers businesses, consumers and policy makers insights into measures that have been taken by emerging economies that are in line with CE principles.

Yes / Circular supply chain (CSC) emphasises surge in application of reuse, recycling, remanufacturing and thereby promotes transformation from linear to circular model of flow of products. Supply chains of manufacturing industries have become global over the years. Products manufactured in developing nations are being sent to developed nations for mass consumption. Developed nations have regulatory policies, technological knowhow and modern infrastructure to adopt CSC model. Their counterpart is trailing in these aspects. In literature, limited work has been performed on identifying challenges of implementing CSC in developing nations. Therefore, employing literature review and feedback received from experts, 16 important barriers were identified to CSC adoption in India. These barriers were analysed using integrated Interpretive Structural Modelling ? MICMAC approach. The findings will contribute in transforming supply chains thereby bringing economic prosperity, addressing global warming and generating employment opportunities. Finally, crucial policy measures and recommendations are proposed to assist managers and government bodies.