In their paper titled “The Multifaceted Role of Trust in Circular Ecosystems: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda,” the two HNU researchers analyze, based on a systematic review of 73 scientific studies, how trust develops over the entire lifecycle of such collaborations and which factors promote successful cooperation. This reflects a shift from an initial form of trust based on safeguards—such as those provided by contracts or digital technologies—toward a long-term, value-based trust among the parties involved. It is particularly important to recognize that this process does not always follow a linear path. Under certain conditions, stakeholders can skip individual stages (“leapfrogging”), for example when shared sustainability goals, values, or a strong shared awareness of the problem already exist from the outset.
The findings also make it clear that while digital technologies such as platforms and blockchain can create transparency and facilitate collaboration, they cannot replace personal relationships and shared values in the long run.
For companies, the key takeaway is that successful circular economy strategies rely not only on technological solutions but, above all, on actively building relationships, clear shared goals, and ongoing collaboration.
To the publication
Hoeck, I., and T. Schuster. 2026. “The Multifaceted Role of Trust in Circular Ecosystems: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda.” Business Strategy and the Environment1–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.71021.
Contact
Inken Hoeck
Research assistant for the areas of business models, mobility and energy, Sales and Sustainable Business Institute
