Abstract
Collaboration is regarded as a key element in developing circular Economy (CE) innovations. However, given the slow transition to a CE, a better understanding of the relationship between collaboration and CE innovations is warranted. This study is guided by insights from Knowledge-Based View (KBV), distinguishing between Market-Based Collaboration (MBC) and Science-Based Collaboration (SBC). Moreover, we differentiate between the CE principles of narrowing, closing, and slowing the loops. Drawing on unique project-level data from Norway, this study quantitatively examines the relationship between collaboration and CE innovation. Surprisingly, we find that collaboration with customers and suppliers is negatively related to innovation in CE projects. In contrast, collaboration with science-based partners has a positive relationship with circular innovation. However, findings vary across CE principles, suggesting that the context of CE innovation may make collaboration demanding and the barriers to CE innovation may be more significant than anticipated