Sustainable Business Models

A rapidly growing field of research in which researchers at LiU are at the forefront. The focus is on life cycle-based offerings and business models in which design and innovation are important components. The research is interdisciplinary and is conducted in close collaboration with small and large companies. 

Environmental issues can be viewed as problems that need to be solved, but also as opportunities to create resource-efficient solutions. The latter approach requires life cycle-based business models and customer offerings across a broad front and involves the development of combined product and service offerings. 

These ideas, which have long had a stronghold in Region Östergötland, where there is a growing cleantech industry, are spreading rapidly. LiU's researchers within engineering, as well in economics and the social sciences, were among the first to study this area and are contributing to its development. 

Even functional sales, in which companies sell a function rather than a product, e.g. a certain amount of transport instead of a new truck, or a refrigeration capacity instead of a freezer, are studied. A common factor here is the environmental and market potential that exists in a more life cycle-based and resource-efficient approach.

LiU also coordinates the research programme MistraREES to facilitate the transition to a more resource-efficient and circular economy, in a close collaboration between the academic and business worlds. 

Research

Gears and hands

Centre for Business Model Innovation

The centre for business model innovation (CBMI) takes a starting point in the role of businesses in society, and the way in which business models are changed and renewed over time in order to adapt to societal and business changes.

A woman looking at som keywords that is associatet with remanufacturing. These words are manufacturing, reuse, remarketing, circular economy, circular solutiosn product as a service, sustainable, consumer behavior.

Overcoming behavioral barriers towards consumer product remanufacturing, STIGMA

The STIGMA project tackles waste prevention and product life extension issues and illuminates circular solutions to enable continuous product use/reuse, such as Product as a Service (PaaS) and Remanufacturing.

Group of people sitting ina room and listening to lecturer.

Circular ventures in rural regions

By adopting an interactive research approach, the project will develop practically relevant competence to facilitate circular economy in rural regions.

News

Digital threads built on AI in a new research project

Linköping University, Volvo Construction Equipment, Bosch Thermoteknik, Mälardalen University, and Addiva are joining forces to advance resource efficiency and promote a circular economy in the Swedish manufacturing industry.

Graphic illustration of circular economy.

Using cost analysis to bring circularity

Life-cycle cost analysis is a powerful tool to make companies more resource-efficient and enable them to adopt new business models. There are, however, several factors that hinder its use. “Money talks”, says the researcher.

Mistra REES

Mistra to continue funding research into circular economy transition

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research has granted SEK 47 million for four years to Mistra REES. The aim of the programme is to facilitate the transition by Swedish manufacturing industry to a circular economy.