Strategic implementation of circular business models in developing countries

Sammanfattning: This thesis aims to address the challenges of implementing circular economy (CE) practices in emerging/developing economies by harnessing the resources of multinational corporations (MNCs) to improve waste management situations in these areas of the world. A case study is conducted on a Swedish beverage carton producer operating in Thailand to examine the key challenges and strategies employed by the company to promote the recycling of used beverage cartons (UBCs) in the country. The study reveals that the company faces significant challenges related to host-country regulations, the informal nature of the waste collection sector, limited consumer awareness, and the absence of adequate recycling infrastructure. To address these challenges, the company employs several strategies, including collaborating with stakeholders to enhance consumer awareness and engagement, providing financial incentives to informal sector actors, and engaging with industry partners and national and municipal governments to promote recycling initiatives. The study recommends that MNCs consider host-country regulations, the dominant type of recycling value chain, and the availability of necessary recycling infrastructure when implementing CE strategies in developing countries. It also suggests that MNCs adopt an appropriate project management approach that fits the host-country environment and establish a balanced organizational structure to optimize knowledge sharing and resource allocation within the global organization. Future research is needed to explore the transferability of these findings to other contexts and to investigate the effectiveness of the company’s strategies in achieving its objectives.