Papers in Innovation Studies,
Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research

Abstract: The sustainability imperative calls for a sharp reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and virgin materials use. This requires the transformation of currently unsustainable global and linear value chains (GVCs) to regenerative and circular supply chains (CSCs). To deal with the complexities of such a shift, this paper suggests Arenas of Change as a theoretical perspective and methodological approach, capturing interaction spaces of actors who engage in changing how goods are produced, distributed and consumed, and how waste is recovered and reduced. Actors are conceptualised as being embedded in multi-scalar network, institutional and governance structures, which can enable or hinder change processes. We argue that the possibility of Arenas of Change to effectuate and accelerate shifts from GVCs towards CSCs depends on the realisation of synergies in four domains: i) business logics, models, and innovation; ii) consumption and user practices, iii) modes of governance, and iv) policies and discourses. Arenas of Change are thus a prism through which the interdependencies between domains, multiple scales and levels, and actors' strategies can be analysed. Thereby, Arenas of Change can contribute to theory-building about transformations from global and linear to regenerative and circular supply chains, and conditions that enable, accelerate or hinder such systemic change. Furthermore, by enhancing analytical leverage to comprehensively capture the complexity of such transformations, we propose Arenas of Change as an approach to design impactful interventions, and to evaluate their effects.

Keywords: Circular economy; Global value chains; Business models; Innovation; Consumer practices; Governance; Innovation policy

JEL-codes: L21; O33; Q56

Language: English

24 pages, September 25, 2026

Note: This research has been funded by the Lund University Agenda 2030 Research Excellence Initiative, project title: Circular Economy: Multi-level value chain and policy dynamics for accelerating sustainability transformations

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