Actor-Value Constellations in Circular Ecosystems

In response to the growing demand for sustainable economic practices, the circular economy (CE) offers promising approaches. Achieving circularity relies on ecosystems that keep resources ‘in the loop’ and enable sustainable value creation. Yet, research lacks a structured understanding of actors and value exchanges defining these ecosystems. To address this, we systematically analyze 48
circular ecosystem cases using e3-value modeling to identify recurring actor-value constellations and highlight key actors and value exchanges that facilitate circularity. We construct eight generic constellations across three dimensions—circularity-driven innovation, resource efficiency optimization, end-of-life product, and material recovery. The results reveal distinct coordination mechanisms, ranging from producer-led and service-driven innovation to decomposer-led material recovery and peer-to-peer resource exchange. By conceptualizing these patterns
of interaction, this study provides theoretical insights into circular ecosystems and offers practical guidance for organizations navigating the transition to a CE.