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With half of the global population living in urban areas, prevailing unsustainable production and consumption patterns, and ecological crises, the circular economy topic gains momentum. However, the implementation of the circular economy from a local governance point of view has been explored in a rather fragmented manner, although public policies remain crucial in driving countries towards more circular systems. This paper aims to explore whether and how local governments contribute to circular economy implementation by applying Voβ et al.'s (2007) steering framework for sustainable development. By using desk research analysis and focus group and individual interview discussions with representatives of municipalities and regional waste management centres, we identified challenges for implementing the circular economy with a lack of local governments' contribution, namely municipal waste management, textile waste, distribution of human resources, networking, and local business. Finally, we created a framework for circular solutions by mapping national and foreign practices through five perspectives, namely learning, sharing vision, reflexive governance, regulation, and negotiation in networks.

With half of the global population living in urban areas, prevailing unsustainable production and consumption patterns, and ecological crises, the circular economy topic gains momentum. However, the implementation of the circular economy from a local governance point of view has been explored in a rather fragmented manner, although public policies remain crucial in driving countries towards more circular systems. This paper aims to explore whether and how local governments contribute to circular economy implementation by applying Voβ et al.'s (2007) steering framework for sustainable development. By using desk research analysis and focus group and individual interview discussions with representatives of municipalities and regional waste management centres, we identified challenges for implementing the circular economy with a lack of local governments' contribution, namely municipal waste management, textile waste, distribution of human resources, networking, and local business. Finally, we created a framework for circular solutions by mapping national and foreign practices through five perspectives, namely learning, sharing vision, reflexive governance, regulation, and negotiation in networks.

With half of the global population living in urban areas, prevailing unsustainable production and consumption patterns, and ecological crises, the circular economy topic gains momentum. However, the implementation of the circular economy from a local governance point of view has been explored in a rather fragmented manner, although public policies remain crucial in driving countries towards more circular systems. This paper aims to explore whether and how local governments contribute to circular economy implementation by applying Voβ et al.'s (2007) steering framework for sustainable development. By using desk research analysis and focus group and individual interview discussions with representatives of municipalities and regional waste management centres, we identified challenges for implementing the circular economy with a lack of local governments' contribution, namely municipal waste management, textile waste, distribution of human resources, networking, and local business. Finally, we created a framework for circular solutions by mapping national and foreign practices through five perspectives, namely learning, sharing vision, reflexive governance, regulation, and negotiation in networks.

With half of the global population living in urban areas, prevailing unsustainable production and consumption patterns, and ecological crises, the circular economy topic gains momentum. However, the implementation of the circular economy from a local governance point of view has been explored in a rather fragmented manner, although public policies remain crucial in driving countries towards more circular systems. This paper aims to explore whether and how local governments contribute to circular economy implementation by applying Voβ et al.'s (2007) steering framework for sustainable development. By using desk research analysis and focus group and individual interview discussions with representatives of municipalities and regional waste management centres, we identified challenges for implementing the circular economy with a lack of local governments' contribution, namely municipal waste management, textile waste, distribution of human resources, networking, and local business. Finally, we created a framework for circular solutions by mapping national and foreign practices through five perspectives, namely learning, sharing vision, reflexive governance, regulation, and negotiation in networks.

Intro -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- Abbreviations -- 1 Introduction to a Circular Economy -- 1.1 Concept of a Circular Economy -- 1.2 Multi-level Perspective, Structural Logic and Aim -- 1.3 Applied Research Methodology and Empirical Focus -- 1.4 Theoretical and Practical Contributions -- 1.4.1 Theoretical Contributions -- 1.4.2 Practical Contributions -- References -- 2 Transition to Circular Business Models -- 2.1 Business Models in the Circular Economy -- 2.2 Circular Business Model Frameworks -- 2.3 Circular Business Model Strategies -- 2.4 Drivers and Barriers for Circular Business Models -- References -- 3 Circular Performance of Small Open Economies -- 3.1 Adaptive Features of Small Open Economies -- 3.2 Overview of Studies of Countries' Circular Performance -- 3.2.1 Overview of CE Performance with the Focus on SOEs -- 3.2.2 Overview of CE Drivers, Barriers, Challenges and Opportunities Among SOEs and Large Economies -- 3.3 Circularity and Economic Performance of Manufacturing Industries in Small Open Economies -- 3.3.1 Research Approach -- 3.3.2 The State of the Art of SOEs in the CE -- 3.3.3 Circularity and Economic Indicators of the Textile Industry -- 3.3.4 Circularity and Economic Indicators of the Rubber and Plastics Industry -- 3.3.5 Circularity and Economic Indicators of the Furniture Industry -- References -- 4 Circular Patterns of Manufacturing Companies -- 4.1 Manufacturing Companies Moving Towards Circular Value Chains -- 4.2 Survey Research Methodology -- 4.2.1 The Setting of the Sample -- 4.2.2 Argumentation of Survey Analysis -- 4.3 Circular Patterns of Lithuanian Manufacturing Companies -- 4.3.1 Sample Characteristics -- 4.3.2 Drivers, Barriers, Challenges, and Opportunities Leading Lithuanian Manufacturing Companies to Implement Circular Activities -- 4.3.3 Factors Influencing the Transition to the CE.

The book takes a multi-level perspective, focusing on circular business models by manufacturing industries in European small open economies. The book conceptualises circular business models and combines theoretical foundations with best practices when such models appeared in the textile, furniture, and plastics industries. It also explores barriers, drivers, challenges, and opportunities for leading manufacturing companies to implement circular activities across the value chain. This book offers a qualitative and transformative approach, spread across three different manufacturing industries, towards a circular transition. The findings will be of interest to practitioners and managers, policymakers, and general readers who are interested in the circular economy and environmental sustainability.