Social Enterprises in the Circular Economy

This doctoral thesis lies at the intersection of sustainability transitions and industrial marketing and investigates the contribution of social enterprises to the development of circular economy ecosystems. These organizations are analysed as embedded actors whose institutional positioning enables them to bridge environmental concerns and social inclusion.
The research pays particular attention to the emergence of circular ecosystems through co-creation processes involving users, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders. Drawing on service-dominant logic, it explores how value is co-created and how these practices shape the distinctiveness of social enterprises within circular contexts.
The thesis also engages with the growing body of literature at the intersection of social enterprises and the circular economy. A work-in-progress systematic literature review aims to identify key theoretical contributions, gaps, and future research directions, as well as the strategic circular practices adopted by social enterprises across different countries and the enabling and constraining factors they face.
Overall, the thesis seeks to contribute to the understanding of how social enterprises act as institutional entrepreneurs and agents of socio-ecological transformation.