A PRIN project has developed an integrated framework to support companies in selecting, implementing, and measuring circular economy strategies.
The transition to the circular economy is a significant challenge for companies and policymakers alike, as it requires redesigning business models, production processes, and supply chains. Given these premises, the PRIN project, 'A capability-based decision support framework for circular economy transition', has been conducted. Coordinated by the Politecnico di Bari, this project involves the Politecnico di Milano and the Università "Carlo Cattaneo" - LIUC. It aims to develop tools that support the transition towards the circular economy.
The project addresses the gap between theory and practice by providing an integrated decision-support framework based on three stages: strategy, planning, and monitoring. This framework enables aligning the strategic decisions to implement circularity with the capabilities available in companies and reduces implementation risks.
One of the main findings refers to the crucial role of capabilities and managerial practices in enabling circular strategies, with significant differences observed across countries and sectors. Italy and Germany are more advanced in this respect, while specific sectors, such as textiles, need to develop circular capabilities. The project also highlights that managerial practices are relevant to enable the transition, but they often focus on low-circularity strategies.
Another contribution refers to performance measurement systems. The research team developed a toolkit for assessing progress in the transition towards circularity and a Circular Balanced Scorecard that integrates economic and environmental dimensions. When applied to the textile sector, several key success factors have been highlighted, including skills development, supply chain coordination, and integrating sustainability into corporate strategy. This demonstrates how companies can pursue different paths, ranging from efficiency to innovation.
The contribution of Politecnico di Milano, led by Professor Davide Chiaroni of the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, focused on the planning stage and analyzed the relationship between circular strategies and managerial practices. The main managerial practices were identified, and a framework was developed to link them to circular strategies. A systematic literature review revealed over eighty matches between practices and strategies, confirming their enabling role. A maturity model was also developed for the healthcare sector.
As part of the project's dissemination activities, a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) focused on the circular economy was developed. Italso deepens the role of competences and performance measurement systems in enabling the transition towards circularity. It is available at the following link: https://www.pok.polimi.it/course/view.php?id=130
The project represents a significant academic and practical contribution, supporting managers and policymakers while providing a foundation for extending the model to new sectors and international contexts.