Abstract
Purpose - This study examines the role of government procurement in advancing the circular economy transition. Mission economy thinking (Mazzucato, 2021) suggests that governments can act as central architects, aligning public policy with private sector capabilities and achieve sustainable outcomes (George, Fewer, Lazzarini, McGahan, & Puranam, 2024). The focus is on how government procurement can establish, govern, and monitor collaborative networks involving a diverse set of public and private entities (see e.g., Roehrich, Kalra, Squire, & Davies, 2023)– that each provide different contributions to the mission in scope. to support this transition, particularly in the construction industry in the Netherlands.
Design/methodology/approach - A theory-building case study was conducted within a collaborative network in the Dutch construction industry, focusing on geotextiles used in civil engineering projects. The study involved nine interviews and participation in three bi-monthly meetings of the network. A coding structure based on a literature review (see e.g., Weidemann, 2023) guided data analysis, thereby highlighting market-related, regulatory, socio-cultural and technical barriers to circular economy adoption, as well as how "mission economy" principles could help overcome these obstacles.
Findings - The geotextiles supply chain in the Netherlands faces technical, institutional, market/economic, and socio-cultural barriers in transitioning to a circular economy. The study suggests that "mission economy" thinking can alleviate market/ economic barriers by fostering public-private collaboration, sharing knowledge, resources, and risks, and promoting innovation. Setting clear targets, developing appropriate financing mechanisms, and supporting collaborative efforts to drive circular practices help alleviate institutional barriers.
Practical implications - The findings offer policy as well as practical recommendations, emphasizing the need for government-led missions to unify collaborative networks and adapt institutional frameworks to support sustainable procurement. Pilot programs are suggested to address technical knowledge gaps, test new financial incentives, and implement risk-sharing strategies. Such policy initiatives can help create markets for sustainable products, guiding public-private networks toward achieving circular economy goals. Finally, public and private actors must intensify their collaboration to particularly address socio-cultural barriers.
Relevance/contribution – A contribution to the literature on public-private collaborations in sustainable supply chain management resides in showing how "mission economy" thinking can help overcome barriers to circular transitions. The research bridges public policy and purchasing and supply management (P&SM) literatures by advancing several P&SM-informed policy recommendations (Helper, Gray, Hughes, & Roman, 2021).
Design/methodology/approach - A theory-building case study was conducted within a collaborative network in the Dutch construction industry, focusing on geotextiles used in civil engineering projects. The study involved nine interviews and participation in three bi-monthly meetings of the network. A coding structure based on a literature review (see e.g., Weidemann, 2023) guided data analysis, thereby highlighting market-related, regulatory, socio-cultural and technical barriers to circular economy adoption, as well as how "mission economy" principles could help overcome these obstacles.
Findings - The geotextiles supply chain in the Netherlands faces technical, institutional, market/economic, and socio-cultural barriers in transitioning to a circular economy. The study suggests that "mission economy" thinking can alleviate market/ economic barriers by fostering public-private collaboration, sharing knowledge, resources, and risks, and promoting innovation. Setting clear targets, developing appropriate financing mechanisms, and supporting collaborative efforts to drive circular practices help alleviate institutional barriers.
Practical implications - The findings offer policy as well as practical recommendations, emphasizing the need for government-led missions to unify collaborative networks and adapt institutional frameworks to support sustainable procurement. Pilot programs are suggested to address technical knowledge gaps, test new financial incentives, and implement risk-sharing strategies. Such policy initiatives can help create markets for sustainable products, guiding public-private networks toward achieving circular economy goals. Finally, public and private actors must intensify their collaboration to particularly address socio-cultural barriers.
Relevance/contribution – A contribution to the literature on public-private collaborations in sustainable supply chain management resides in showing how "mission economy" thinking can help overcome barriers to circular transitions. The research bridges public policy and purchasing and supply management (P&SM) literatures by advancing several P&SM-informed policy recommendations (Helper, Gray, Hughes, & Roman, 2021).
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Unpublished - 2025 |
Keywords
- circular transition
- mission economy
- Case research