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Abstract

Abstract

This article discusses the central role of higher education institutions (HEIs) for the circular economy with a focus on entrepreneurial education, applied R&D, and multi-stakeholder cooperation. Based on a comparative study of seven international cases, it analyzes institutional approaches that facilitate universities to play an active role in sustainable innovation in business. By integrating circular economy concepts into their curricula, incubation activities, and relations with governmental and industrial organizations, HEIs generate future entrepreneurs who can contribute to reducing environmental and social impacts. The Triple Helix model also highlights that the interplay between academia, industry, and government promotes the co-creation of circular solutions. Results show that successful HEIs combine theoretical knowledge with practical implementation, establish interdisciplinary solutions, and promote an environment for fostering circular startups. The proposed conceptual framework places universities as key actors in promoting circular innovation by bridging knowledge generation and societal application. This study offers insights to academic management, policies, and practices by providing an overview of how educational systems can be designed to fit in sustainability ambitions and what the critical enablers are (including living labs, green incubators, and curriculum reforms) that support the circularization of business models over linear ones. Even if its qualitative nature and reliance on secondary data can be considered limitations, the present research can provide an impulse for further investigations of impact assessments and metrics development to evaluate circular maturity in academic institutions. Finally, it is proposed in this paper that HEIs have the transformative potential to educate the next generation of entrepreneurs with systemic sustainable practices.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1: Conceptual Framework for Circular Innovation in Higher Education. Triple Helix Model of Circular Innovation.

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