Circularity fatigue in an organisational setting: a conceptual framework
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3846/bm.2026.2382Abstract
Organisations are under increasing circular-economy (CE) pressures to redesign, report, audit, and withstand stakeholder scrutiny, but implementation frequently remains stagnant or nominal. Within this context, a new concept of CE fatigue emerges: a cumulative cognitive, emotional, and operational exhaustion caused by overlaying CE initiatives and measurement needs that exceed organisational capacity or perceived benefit. With this paper, we aim to explain the concept of CE fatigue in an organisational setting. We conduct a literature review, i.e., employ thematic synthesis, establish common antecedents (KPI proliferation, compliance pressure, resource scarcity), manifestations (overload, exhaustion, withdrawal), and effects on the depth and continued existence of the transition. We develop an integrative conceptual framework connecting circularity fatigue with circularity results, considering organisational process maturity, governance, digital enablement, and value-creation orientation, and identify proper levers for lean CE measurement and program governance.
Keywords:
circular economy, circularity fatigue, performance measurement, sustainability transitions, business models, governanceHow to Cite
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