| Title |
Regulatory push-pull and technological knowledge dynamics of circular economy innovation |
| ID_Doc |
2481 |
| Authors |
Gnekpe, C; Plantec, Q |
| Title |
Regulatory push-pull and technological knowledge dynamics of circular economy innovation |
| Year |
2023 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122767 |
| Abstract |
Addressing climate change and resource scarcity necessitates a transition toward a circular economy (CE). While regulatory push/pull policy effects on eco-innovation are well-documented, the specific case of diverse CE related inventions-classified into biological and technical cycles-remains understudied. Through a qualitative content analysis of 528 core patents and a citation network analysis of 5655 CE-related patent families, we probed 14 significant categories of CE-based inventions. Our results highlight the strong impacts of CE regulations on recycling technologies within the technical cycle, its inherent energy inefficiencies notwithstanding. Additionally, a limited share of inventions targets more efficient loops, such as prolonging, reusing, and redistributing materials. The biological cycle, dominated by fertilizer production-related inventions, shows a less diverse trajectory. Comparing the cycles reveals similar technological knowledge dynamics but varying stability in reaction to regulatory policies, suggesting technical cycle maturity and a nascent biological cycle. Policy makers are urged to encourage efficient CE loops and to foster a stable technological knowledge trajectory within the biological cycle. Our findings have crucial implications for research on technological knowledge trajectories and policy planning in the CE. |
| Author Keywords |
Circular economy; Eco-innovation; Patent citation network analysis; Technological trajectory |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) |
| EID |
WOS:001070766500001 |
| WoS Category |
Business; Regional & Urban Planning |
| Research Area |
Business & Economics; Public Administration |
| PDF |
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