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TECHNOLOGY 29
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early-stage and exploratory nature of remanufacturing in the remains at an early stage despite its circular potential.
furniture sector, in contrast to more mature remanufacturing
industries. Practical Implications
Open innovation plays a critical role in enabling circular For original manufacturers, the adoption of remanufacturing
transitions in the furniture sector. This study demonstrates can be facilitated through small-scale, short-term initiatives
how collaboration, information sharing, and co-creation among rather than immediate large-scale transformation.

original manufacturers, public sector organisations, retailers, In the short term, manufacturers can initiate pilot take-back
and remanufacturers are essential for overcoming barriers collaborations with selected retailers or customers for specific
such as reverse logistics and traceability. product categories. These pilots can help clarify responsibilities
These findings align with the idea that successful reuse related to collection, inspection, and refurbishment, while
and remanufacturing depend on flexible supply chains and allowing firms to test demand and operational requirements
shared design strategies, that are described as keys in open with limited risk.
innovation environments, and the importance of improved Over time, such initiatives may be expanded and integrated
information flows and shared product lifecycle data for enabling into more formalised circular business models as experience
repair, reuse, and remanufacturing in practice. and market acceptance increase.

Open innovation enhances sustainability by fostering cross- Retailers and designers play a key intermediary role in the
sector collaboration, engaging stakeholders, and leveraging furniture value chain and can actively support remanufacturing
external knowledge through mechanisms like crowdsourcing. by identifying furniture suitable for return at replacement stages
Workshops in this study further support the value of and coordinating reverse logistics.
open innovation platforms, where diverse actors co-develop In the short term, this may involve informal collaboration
standards, business models, and operational practices. agreements with manufacturers or remanufacturers, while
Public procurement is also identified as a potential driver of longer-term arrangements could include more standardised

innovation, highlighting the importance of institutional openness processes for product returns and information sharing.
and regulatory support. Public sector organisations can support remanufacturing
Overall, these patterns reflect the ‘necessary only’ role of adoption by gradually incorporating lifecycle considerations
circular open innovation, indicating that a minimum level of into procurement practices. In the short term, this may include
cross boundary knowledge sharing is essential for circular functional requirements that allow for remanufactured furniture,
business models and remanufacturing to take root. while in the longer term procurement criteria may increasingly
Compared to sectors such as automotive and electronics, emphasise lifecycle cost and environmental performance rather
where remanufacturing benefits from standardised products, than lowest upfront price.
established reverse logistics systems, and relatively high return At the policy level, regulators and industry associations can

volumes, the furniture sector faces distinct challenges. facilitate remanufacturing by supporting the development of
Furniture products are heterogeneous in terms of design, furniture-specific standards and guidelines. In the short term,
materials, and volumes. Moreover, return volumes are typically this may involve clarifying definitions and quality expectations
low and irregular. In addition, strong design identities and brand for remanufactured furniture, while longer-term efforts could
sensitivity increase concerns related to quality perception and focus on harmonised standards that support scalability and
reputational risk. These sector-specific characteristics help cross-actor collaboration. FDM
explain why remanufacturing adoption in the furniture industry ENQUIRY NO. 2201