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TECHNOLOGY 27
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collaboration, and on firms’ internal learning and knowledge Lack Of Standard Definition
management capabilities. While the theoretical definition of remanufacturing focuses on
Openness leads to competitive advantage only when firms restoring products to a ‘like-new’ condition, the empirical findings
possess the absorptive and transformative capacities required revealed that the practical understanding of remanufacturing
to exploit external knowledge. Unlike closed innovation, which among the respondents in the interview study varied widely.
relies exclusively on internally generated knowledge, open The respondents did not have a homogenous definition of

innovation encourages firms to leverage external expertise and remanufacturing, and the broader interpretation of remanufacturing
share internal resources, thus expanding their opportunities includes activities such as cleaning, component replacement,
for value creation. and even repurpose components for new products.
In the context of circular economy transitions, open If relating this to the 10R framework that exemplifies
innovation is particularly relevant for enabling inter firm 10 different circular strategies from recovery to rethink, the
collaboration, shared infrastructures, knowledge exchange, practical interpretation of remanufacturing also includes reuse
and the co development of new value propositions. It also and restoration.
provides mechanisms through which firms can interact, share This divergence between academic definitions and practical
information, and jointly shape innovation processes. interpretations of remanufacturing can create significant challenges

Collaborative networks formed to pursue circular strategies for communication and collaboration, both between academia
can be understood as open innovation ecosystems that and industry, and among actors across the value chain.
reshape business model elements and support industry level It may result in inconsistent practices and outcomes,
transitions toward circularity. making it difficult to establish industry-wide benchmarks and
Open innovation is positioned as a foundational precondition ultimately hindering the adoption of remanufacturing.
for adopting circular business models rather than a discretionary, The lack of a shared understanding of remanufacturing
nice to have enabler. among actors in the furniture sector should therefore be

Circular open innovation supports data sharing, cross sector understood not only as a conceptual issue, but also as a
collaboration, and co creation needed for circular transitions, practical barrier that complicates communication, standardisation,
particularly when combined with Industry 4.0 technologies and collaboration across the value chain.
that enable transparency and digital traceability along product Achieving a shared understanding requires deliberate efforts
lifecycles. It also facilitates the cross organisational transparency in communication and the exchange of practical experiences.
and product lifecycle information required to enable circular This divergence underscores the need for clearer communication
strategies such as repair, reuse, and remanufacturing. and education about the specific processes and benefits of
Open innovation mechanisms, such as shared patents, open remanufacturing within industry.
source design, remanufacturability labels, and Digital Product

Passports, can drive circular strategies by directly supporting GX Outdoors
design for disassembly, repairability, and remanufacturing.
Moreover, consumer level open innovation strengthens
circular supply chains by increasing engagement in end of
life return programs through shared knowledge, cooperation,
and inclusive policies, thereby improving product availability
for repair, reuse, and remanufacturing.