Using Values Management for Shifting Companies to Circular Economy

The core of our sustainability opportunity depends on the decisions we make, and each decision is guided by core values. It is critical that we as a society shift towards a more sustainable way of living if we value our survival, and in order to do so, tools have been developed to help facilitate this transition. This paper explores whether values are considered in current Circular Economy (CE) tools, and goes on to corroborate theoretical findings with companies. Values can help address both rational and emotional fears, and a tool must also for it to be practical and useful. To do so, the paper looks at value and values, explores benefits of value management, and analyzes CE tools. Research is corroborated using discussions with companies. The resulting conclusion is that these tools do not includes values, and that it may prove beneficial to include values management when designing CE and sustainability tools. This is work was carried out as part of the EU project on Circular Economy called CIRC(sic)UIT, for one of 15 PhD positions examining the practical sides of this sustainability strategy. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.