Aim

This area aims to support the transition towards a circular production and consumption model, with a special focus on circular business models and circularity measurement. Through research projects and collaborations with public and private partners at the national and international levels, we develop solutions to maintain the value of resources over time, reduce waste and improve the efficiency of production processes.

Research streams

Our main research areas include:

• Business models and circularity strategies: analysis and development of business models and circularity strategies to regenerate and preserve the value of resources in various industries.

• Circularity measurement: creation of advanced tools and methodologies to measure circularity at different levels, from individual enterprises (micro) to supply chains (meso) to regions (macro). These tools make it possible to assess the effectiveness of circularity strategies and identify areas for improvement.

Main research projects

Our research area contributes to the activities of the GRINS Project, Growing Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable, financed with PNRR funds, in particular on WP 1.3, which aims to increase the efficiency of companies in circular resource management along the entire value chain. The area develops circularity measurement tools for different sectors, such as textiles, services and construction, implemented by companies to improve resource management and reduce waste. Over the years, it has organised numerous executive training initiatives on the topic of circular economy, including the Circular Academy with KME SpA. Furthermore, it organises, in cooperation with the Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Sustainability and Climate, the CESM (Circular Economy and Sustainability Management) Seasonal School and participates in the international Circular EELISA network.

Main publications

1. De Bernardi, C., Corsini, F., Annesi, N., & Frey, M. (2024) Unveiling the impact of territorial and network embeddedness on circular economy adoption in cooperatives. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility.

2. Corsini, F., De Bernardi, C., Gusmerotti, N. M., & Frey, M. (2024). Introducing the circular assessment of suppliers (CAoS) tool: A Kraljic matrix-based tool to facilitate circular procurement in private organizations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 452, 142085.

3. Corsini, F., De Bernardi, C., & Frey, M. (2024). Industrial symbiosis as a business strategy for the circular economy: identifying regional firms’ profiles and barriers to their adoption. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 67(5), 1148-1168.

4. Gusmerotti, N. M., Carlesi, S., Iannuzzi, T., & Testa, F. (2024). The role of tourism in boosting circular transition: a measurement system based on a participatory approach. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 32(5), 961-985.

5. Corsini, F. & Frey, M. (2024). Crowdfunding for Environmental Sustainability and the Circular Economy: Empowered Strategies for Sustainable Growth. Springer Nature.

6. Tessitore, S., Corsini, F., & Iraldo, F. (2023). Exploring the alignment and misalignment in the transition to a circular economy within private companies and public organizations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 430, 139528.

7. Corsini, F., Gusmerotti, N., & Frey, M. (2023). Fostering the circular economy with blockchain technology: insights from a bibliometric approach. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3 (4), 1819-1839.

8. Corsini, F., Gusmerotti, N., Testa, F., & Borghini, A. (2022). The role of cognitive frames towards circular economy practices in SMEs. SINERGIE, 41-61.

9. Testa, F., Gusmerotti, N., Corsini, F., & Bartoletti, E. (2022). The role of consumer trade-offs in limiting the transition towards circular economy: The case of brand and plastic concern. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 181, 106262.

10. Gusmerotti, N. M., Testa, F., Corsini, F., Pretner, G., & Iraldo, F. (2019). Drivers and approaches to the circular economy in manufacturing firms. Journal of Cleaner Production, 230, 314-32.