Transition to Circular Economy in Practice Through Network Governance in Conjunction with Public Governance; Comparative Longitudinal Action Research on Mattresses, Concrete, and Textile in The Netherlands

Abstract

This paper investigates the practical implementation of transitioning to a circular economy through network governance in conjunction with public governance. The research focuses on a comparative, longitudinal analysis of three Dutch product chains (mattresses, concrete, and textiles) from 2016 to the present. The study based on action research, utilizes documents, reports from all meetings, and personal observations. Drawing from the fields of public administration and transition management, the paper addresses two critical knowledge gaps. First, the paper contributes to the transition management literature by shedding light on how complex systemic changes, such as the transition from a linear to a circular economy, can be realized in practice. The cross-case analysis demonstrates that, even with the distinct characteristics of each case, the overall network governance approach exhibits significant similarities. These commonalities are synthesized into ten guiding principles for building a circular economy through network governance. These principles comprehensively integrate all aspects of transition management mentioned in the literature, creating a coherent framework. They provide transition management practitioners with a systematic approach for thinking, acting, and collaborating. Secondly, the paper offers insights into the interplay between network governance and public governance in real-world cases. The analysis demonstrates that network governance can significantly contribute to accelerating the transition to a circular economy. However, public governance continues to play a pivotal role, particularly during the scaling-up and mainstreaming phases of the transition. Implementing network governance is a learning experience, not only for the network partners but also in how they can collaborate with the government. Additionally, this process requires a shift in the government's mindset to embrace network governance as a complementary approach for governing complex transition processes. The network governance approach presented here can be further refined as additional practice-oriented studies are conducted in a broader range of countries.