Another aim is to identify and understand future research questions of relevance. Finally, an important task is to identify and formulate suitable and context-related recommendations regarding potential transition processes, in manufacturing industries and society, that facilitate REES and a circular economy.

Focusing on interrelations

This project consists of two parts, the first one focused on how interrelations between policy, design and business models affect resource efficiency and effectiveness. The second is focused on recommendations regarding transition processes in manufacturing industries and society that facilitate REES and a circular economy. This project is to a large extent based on the results from Mistra REES Projects 1-4, the results of which will be further synthesized. The project makes use of the networks built up during the program, and consults senior people both among the Mistra REES program partners and beyond.

The above aims will be addressed through creating a conceptual model for the interrelations between design, business models and policies for REES. This model will be used to build and use a computerized systems dynamics model of the systems. System Dynamics (SD), adopted in e.g. the Limits to Growth project, is an established method to understand the behaviour of complex systems over time and solve dynamic, complex, and ill-structured decision problems.

A conceptual model

The construction of the conceptual model will be done in a series of workshops, drawing on the projects in the Mistra REES program but also on theories for transition and change management. The system dynamics models will be implemented in one of the available software solutions. The conceptual and the system dynamics models will be used to analyze and draw conclusions about means to further the needed transformation to REES. Preliminary workshops will be organised in order to get a deeper understanding of different stakeholders’ requirements and preferred ways to receive information, while later workshops will discuss and collect feedback on draft recommendations.

The main outcome, from the conceptual model and a Computerized System Dynamics model of how interrelations between policy, products and business models affect REES’s resource efficiency and effectiveness, will be useful to policy makers on a societal level and strategists in companies, e.g. to support them in forming the policy context and the strategies in which REESs will be developed. Researchers, designers and business developers will also benefit from an increased understanding of the interrelations between

Product and Service Design, Business Models and Policies for REES. Results will be communicated in research channels (papers, conferences) and in channels targeting professionals such as business briefs, workshops and webinars. Results will also be used in the REES textbook, targeting students and professionals.

Involved companies: all that are involved in MistraREES