How incumbents realize disruptive circular innovation ‐ Overcoming the innovator's dilemma for a circular economy

Marianne Kuhlmann, Catharina R. Bening, Volker H. Hoffmann · 2022 · Business Strategy and the Environment

Summary. Established companies struggle to adopt circular economy innovations because these threaten their existing profitable linear business models. This paper analyzes how incumbents can overcome this dilemma using disruptive innovation theory. Two case studies show that creating separate organizational units helps implement circular innovations, but success requires clear strategy, strategic partnerships, supportive culture, and relevant competencies.

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Kuhlmann, M., Bening, C. R., & Hoffmann, V. H.. (2022). How incumbents realize disruptive circular innovation ‐ Overcoming the innovator's dilemma for a circular economy. Business Strategy and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3109

@article{kuhlmann-2022-how-incumbents-realize-disruptive-circular,
  title   = {How incumbents realize disruptive circular innovation ‐ Overcoming the innovator's dilemma for a circular economy},
  author  = {Marianne Kuhlmann and Catharina R. Bening and Volker H. Hoffmann},
  journal = {Business Strategy and the Environment},
  year    = {2022},
  doi     = {10.1002/bse.3109},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3109}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - How incumbents realize disruptive circular innovation ‐ Overcoming the innovator's dilemma for a circular economy
AU  - Marianne Kuhlmann
AU  - Catharina R. Bening
AU  - Volker H. Hoffmann
JO  - Business Strategy and the Environment
PY  - 2022
DO  - 10.1002/bse.3109
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ER  -

Details

DOI: 10.1002/bse.3109
Countries: Switzerland
Regions: Europe
Categories: innovation-theory, climate-and-environment, general-innovation
Added: 2026-04-28