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Circular Economy as a Glocal Business Activity: Mobile Phone Repair in the Netherlands, Poland and China

Author

Listed:
  • Serdar Türkeli

    (School of Business and Economics, United Nations University-MERIT/Maastricht University, 6211AX Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Beijia Huang

    (School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)

  • Agata Stasik

    (Department of Management in Network Society, Koźmiński University, 03-301 Warsaw, Poland)

  • René Kemp

    (School of Business and Economics, United Nations University-MERIT/Maastricht University, 6211AX Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Repair of mobile phones fits with the vision of a circular economy in an urban context and with the Sustainable Development Goal 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities. Drawing on the literature about firm level competitiveness and closed-loop design through repair, remanufacturing or recycling, we analyze the business ecosystem of independent mobile phone repair shops in the Netherlands, Poland and China as a glocal business activity. The analysis is based on primary data collection through a questionnaire to independent repair shops in the Netherlands ( n = 130), Poland ( n = 443) and China ( n = 175) with response rates of 13%, 12%, 40%, respectively; and 17 interviews in the Netherlands, 40 in Poland, and 70 in China. Findings indicate that to maintain a strong position in the local market and to sustain the trust of customers, independent mobile phone repair shops offer a range of customized services based on direct contact with customers. In China, the increasing prices of spare parts and falling prices of mobile phones constitute the most important challenges, whereas in the Netherlands and Poland, the most important challenges are the competitive pressures from informal repair activities, and new repair shops. Our research also revealed that repairability strongly depends on the global manufacturers’ circularity choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Serdar Türkeli & Beijia Huang & Agata Stasik & René Kemp, 2019. "Circular Economy as a Glocal Business Activity: Mobile Phone Repair in the Netherlands, Poland and China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:498-:d:203555
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carolin Brix-Asala & Anne-Kristin Geisbüsch & Philipp Christopher Sauer & Patrick Schöpflin & Axel Zehendner, 2018. "Sustainability Tensions in Supply Chains: A Case Study of Paradoxes and Their Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-20, February.
    2. Brian Snowdon & George Stonehouse, 2006. "Competitiveness in a globalised world: Michael Porter on the microeconomic foundations of the competitiveness of nations, regions, and firms," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 37(2), pages 163-175, March.
    3. Andrew M. King & Stuart C. Burgess & Winnie Ijomah & Chris A. McMahon, 2006. "Reducing waste: repair, recondition, remanufacture or recycle?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 14(4), pages 257-267.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jenny Palm & Nancy Bocken, 2021. "Achieving the Circular Economy: Exploring the Role of Local Governments, Business and Citizens in an Urban Context," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-5, February.
    2. Jenni Ylä-Mella & Riitta L. Keiski & Eva Pongrácz, 2022. "End-of-Use vs. End-of-Life: When Do Consumer Electronics Become Waste?," Resources, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Rikke Marie Moalem & Mette Alberg Mosgaard, 2021. "A Critical Review of the Role of Repair Cafés in a Sustainable Circular Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-25, November.
    4. Kris Hartley & Jasper Roosendaal & Julian Kirchherr, 2022. "Barriers to the circular economy: The case of the Dutch technical and interior textiles industries," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(2), pages 477-490, April.
    5. Nicolae Istudor & Ionel Dumitru & Alina Filip & Alin Stancu & Mihai Ioan Ro?ca & Andrei Canda, 2023. "Integration of Circular Economy Principles in Consumer Behaviour for Electrical and Electronic Equipment," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(62), pages 1-48, February.
    6. Jessika Luth Richter & Sahra Svensson‐Hoglund & Carl Dalhammar & Jennifer D. Russell & Åke Thidell, 2023. "Taking stock for repair and refurbishing: A review of harvesting of spare parts from electrical and electronic products," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 868-881, June.

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