Clusters, Networks, and Ecosystem - Theory and Practice of Circular and New Business

Dear Colleagues,

Background

Marshall’s and Jacob’s externalities have contributed to the co-localization of firms in more specialized or more diversified sectors. Clusters of firms have led to numerous studies on what causes firms to cluster, the differences between networks and clusters of firms, and the role of social capital in cluster activities. In addition, they have led to related concepts, such as smart specialization, place-based policies and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The question arises whether or not agglomeration forces will also lead to the clustering of firms that have a similar impact or circular business models, or have sustainability as a shared common business driver.

This Special Issue focuses on, but is not limited to, contributions that address circular and sustainable entrepreneurship/business modeling, emphasizing geographical collaboration. This includes, among others, networks, clustering, ecosystems, or smart specialization.

The main theme of this Special Issue is the interplay between geographical clustering dynamics, and the emergence and establishment of sustainable business models.

We welcome case studies, preferably spread across the wider European continent.

Type of contributions solicited

For this Special Issue, we welcome theoretical, conceptual, and empirical papers that focus on clustering and the formation of networks around circular and new business models. Papers with a great variety of methodologies (e.g., literature review, qualitative and quantitative research methods), a large variety of research fields (e.g., entrepreneurship, environmental studies, geography, management, economics, social sciences, etc.), and a wide scope of domains (e.g., energy, health, agriculture, finance, industry, retail, etc.) are admissible, as long as they either develop theoretical and conceptual insights on networking and clustering for the circular economy and sustainable business models, or are based on the extensive analysis of cases.

We encourage participants of the New Business Models Conference in Halmstad, Sweden, taking place from 9th June to 11th June 2021, to submit their contributions for publication.

Themes on networks and clustering for circular and new business models

 Scholars and practitioners should elaborate on and contribute, but not limit themselves, to the following research questions concerning networks and the clustering of circular and new business models:

• Sectoral clustering;
• Thematic clustering;
• Entrepreneurial ecosystems;
• Circularity under the umbrella of sustainability;
• Sustainable networks;
• Social capital theory;
• Location theory;
• Agglomeration economies

Dr. Aleid Brouwer
Dr. Niels Faber
Dr. Maaike de Jong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.