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The urgent need to act against climate change is emphasized in many initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal, and the Circular Economy Action Plan. The role of the industrial sector is crucial. Companies, however, have to operate in a very complex environment driven by digitization and are supposed to be more sustainable. This paper explores how companies can implement the ecological transformation, with a focus on the role of digital technologies and data in enabling the twin transition. This paper proposes an approach to support SMEs in the twin transition through a combination of digital and sustainable business model development. The concept includes an interdisciplinary methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative approaches, focusing on the latter. The suggested method collection includes adaptations of the business model canvas, value proposition analysis, data-driven decision-making, and the integration of environmental and economic considerations using the system of environmental-economic accounting. In particular, approaches to define the quantification of economic as well as ecological value will be key levers for sustainable implementation. By leveraging these approaches, SMEs can navigate the challenges of digital transformation and sustainability and contribute to a more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current planetary crisis and the perceived urgency necessitates more sustainable production and consumption patterns. Businesses, particularly the multinationals, play a key role in transitioning to a circular economy, which provides a promising approach to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Industry 4.0 technologies can theoretically support this transition and enable circular economy through, for example, data-driven and smart business processes. However, merging these new technologies with a circular economy is not a straightforward and well-established process and it fundamentally changes the business value chain. Therefore, this paper provides a systematic overview to help better understand the transition process to circular business models and the enabling role of industry 4.0. Merging these concepts underlines that many factors are interrelated and should be investigated in a holistic way instead of siloes. The findings imply that changes transcend business boundaries, including new value chain characteristics and operation models and indicate the interconnected nature of certain factors along the product lifecycle, including service-based models, circular design, reverse flows, consumers and users, and collaborations. This paper proposes a conceptual transition framework to address how new circular business models can integrate digitally adaptive transformations and proposals for future research are reflected upon. • Circular economy transition goes beyond the boundaries of one company and affects many elements in a business model. • Transition to circular business models implies that technological and human changes introduce challenges and paradoxes. • Different Industry 4.0 tools can be applied across business model elements to introduce circular economy principles. • We propose a conceptual transition framework that facilitates the transition from traditional to circular models. • We underline the benefits Industry 4.0 tools offer as well as the interconnected nature of the circular economy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today's linear economic model is increasingly problematic. Creating a closed-loop model in production and consumption is a preferred alternative to address environmental and social damages associated with the linear economy. This paper proposes the Ecocanvas as a single tool backed by a methodology for enabling businesses to coherently formulate unique circular value propositions based on a lifecycle perspective. The tool is valuable for rethinking and personalizing sustainability and circular economy by more practically tackling the three dimensions of sustainable development while being adaptable to the organization's context. To a better understanding of the Ecocanvas value, this paper describes the tool's key features and elements through a detailed analysis of small to medium scale winery business models. We contribute to the debate on sustainability and business model literature while providing a practical tool for industry and policymakers transitioning towards a circular model. In addition, this paper contributes to the circular economy body of literature through the development and application of the Ecocanvas that focuses on a holistic approach. As a practical contribution, this study develops and provides a structured, well-researched, and tested tool supported by a methodology that can be used by many stakeholders. Further research could explore the practicality of the Ecocanvas methodology through case studies in different sectors of activities and contexts. Image 1 • Today's linear economic model is problematic, a closed-loop alternative is needed. • Ecocanvas allows organizations to create a unique circular value proposition. • Ecocanvas incorporates environmental and social aspects in a holistic tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]