This study explores the integration of AI in sustainable entrepreneurship, focusing on its role in advancing circular economy initiatives. It introduces the “Circular-AI Symbiosis” conceptual framework, which examines the symbiotic relationship between AI technology and circular economy principles. This paradigm highlights how AI can drive circular innovation by enhancing resource efficiency, optimizing product lifecycle management, and fostering sustainable business practices through data analytics, predictive modeling, and network optimization. The framework centers on three core components: technological integration, business model development, and collaborative networks. By integrating these elements, circular-AI symbiosis offers a comprehensive approach to understanding how AI can support sustainable entrepreneurship within a circular economy context. The study also addresses key challenges in integrating AI into circular economy practices and emphasizes the role of collaborative networks in overcoming these obstacles. This research contributes to the conceptual understanding of the intersection of AI, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
AchillasCVlachokostasC (2025) Integrated waste management in the circular economy era: Insights from research and practice. Energies18(3): 728.
3.
AidisREstrinSMickiewiczT (2008) Institutions and entrepreneurship development in Russia: A comparative perspective. Journal of Business Venturing23(6): 656–672.
4.
AkhtarPGhouriAMAshrafA, et al. (2024) Smart product platforming powered by AI and generative AI: Personalization for the circular economy. International Journal of Production Economics273: 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2024.109283.
5.
AmjadFRaoYArifM, et al. (2024) Towards strategic digital transformation: Manufacturing sustainability via crowdfunding, business model innovation, and supportive digital culture. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14657503241286467.
6.
ApostolidisCBrownDWijetungaD, et al. (2021) Sustainable value co-creation at the bottom of the pyramid: Using mobile applications to reduce food waste and improve food security. Journal of Marketing Management37(3): 1–31.
7.
BalakrishnanV (2019) Network optimization (1st ed.). Chapman and Hall/CRC - ebook published, New York, Chapman and Hall/CRC. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780367812553.
8.
BerenteNGuBReckerJ, et al. (2021) Managing artificial intelligence. MIS Quarterly45(3): 1433–1450.
9.
BickleySJMacintyreATorglerB (2025) Artificial intelligence and big data in sustainable entrepreneurship. Journal of Economic Surveys39(1): 103–145.
10.
BiruAAreniusPBrutonG, et al. (2025) Firm formalization strategy: The interaction of entrepreneurs and government officials in the enforcement of regulation. Journal of Management51(4): 1586–1618.
11.
BockenNMPDe PauwIBakkerC, et al. (2016) Product design and business model strategies for a circular economy. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering33(5): 308–320.
12.
BrownDMApostolidisCDeyBL, et al. (2024) Sustainability starts from within: A critical analysis of internal marketing in supporting sustainable value co-creation in B2B organisations. Industrial Marketing Management117: 14–27.
13.
BrownDMApostolidisCSinghP, et al. (2025) Exploring multi-stakeholder value co-creation as an entrepreneurial approach to survival and sustainability: The case of Pennine pubs. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation26(4): 366–375.
14.
BusseCKachA (2017) Boundary conditions: What they are, how to explore them, why we need them, and when to consider them. Organizational Research Methods20(4): 574–609.
15.
CaiLZhuY (2015) The challenges of data quality and data quality assessment in the big data era. Data Science Journal14(2): 1–10.
16.
Camarinha-MatosLMBoucherXHamidehA (2021) Smart and sustainable collaborative networks 4.0. 22nd IFIP WG 5.5 Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises, PRO-VE 2021. Saint-Étienne, France: SpringerLink. https://doi.10.1007/978-3-030-85969-5.
17.
CarmodyJShringarpureSVan De VenterG (2021) AI and privacy concerns: A smart meter case study. Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society19(4): 492–505.
18.
ChalmersDMackenzieNGCarterS (2020) Artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship: Implications for venture creation in the fourth industrial revolution. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice45(5): 1028–1053.
19.
ChauhanCParidaVDhirA (2022) Linking circular economy and digitalisation technologies: A systematic literature review of past achievements and future promises. Technological Forecasting and Social Change177: 121508.
20.
ChenMLiuQHuangS, et al. (2022) Environmental cost control system of manufacturing enterprises using artificial intelligence based on value chain of circular economy. Enterprise Information Systems16(2): 1–20.
21.
CherringtonRManolchevCAlexanderA (2024) Enabling circular economy practices in regional contexts: Insights from the UK southwest. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation25(2): 104–115.
22.
ChristensenCRaynorMMcdonaldR (2015) What is disruptive innovation?Harvard Business Review93(12): 44–53.
23.
CostaJ (2021) Carrots or sticks: Which policies matter the most in sustainable resource management?Resources10(2): 12.
24.
DeveciMDelenDDingW (2024) AI-based decision support systems for sustainable business management under circular economy. Annals of Operations Research342(1): 1–3.
25.
FerreiraJJC FernandesAJRamírez-PasillasM (2024) Start-ups and entrepreneurial ecosystems in the circular economy: A multi-level approach for safe and just planetary boundaries. International Small Business Journal42(4): 416–445.
26.
FoxJD (2024) Reporting on artificial intelligence use in entrepreneurship research: Using a model card. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14657503241238691.
27.
FrishammarJParidaV (2019) Circular business model transformation: A roadmap for incumbent firms. California Management Review61(2): 5–29.
28.
GeissdoerferMPieroniMPPPigossoDCA, et al. (2020) Circular business models: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production277: 123741.
29.
GeissdoerferMSavagetPBockenNMP, et al. (2017) The circular economy – A new sustainability paradigm?Journal of Cleaner Production143: 757–768.
30.
GeraciA (1991) IEEE standard computer dictionary: A compilation of IEEE standard computer glossaries. IEEE Std610: 1–217.
31.
GiuggioliGPellegriniMM (2023) Artificial intelligence as an enabler for entrepreneurs: A systematic literature review and an agenda for future research. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research29(4): 816–837.
32.
GkikasDCTheodoridisPK (2022) AI in consumer behavior. In: VirvouMTsihrintzisGATsoukalasLHJainLC (eds) Advances in Artificial Intelligence-Based Technologies: Selected Papers in Honour of Professor Nikolaos G. Bourbakis—Vol. 1. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 147–176. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80571-5_10.
33.
GladilovNAhnerLNeuhüttlerJ, et al. (2024) Published. Contributions of AI-based smart services to sustainable value creation. Portland International Conference on Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), 4-8 Aug. 2024 2024. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.23919/PICMET64035.2024.10653310.
34.
GuptaBBGauravAPanigrahiPK, et al. (2023) Analysis of artificial intelligence-based technologies and approaches on sustainable entrepreneurship. Technological Forecasting and Social Change186: 122152.
35.
Hassannataj JoloudariJAlizadehsaniRNodehiI, et al. (2022) Resource allocation optimization using artificial intelligence methods in various computing paradigms: A review. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.32857.39522.
36.
IvanovD (2022) Lean resilience: Aura (active usage of resilience assets) framework for post-COVID-19 supply chain management. The International Journal of Logistics Management33(4): 1196–1217.
37.
KandaW (2023) Systems and ecosystems in the circular economy: What’s the difference?. Circular Economy1(3): 1–10. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55845/RMDN3752.
38.
KhanAAAbonyiJ (2022) Information sharing in supply chains – Interoperability in an era of circular economy. Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain5: 100074.
39.
KirchherrJReikeDHekkertM (2017) Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions. Resources, Conservation and Recycling127: 221–232.
40.
KlumppMZijmH (2019) Logistics innovation and social sustainability: How to prevent an artificial divide in human–computer interaction. Journal of Business Logistics40(3): 265–278.
41.
KöhlerJSönnichsenSDBeske-JansenP (2022) Towards a collaboration framework for circular economy: The role of dynamic capabilities and open innovation. Business Strategy and the Environment31(6): 2700–2713.
42.
KohliRMelvilleNP (2019) Digital innovation: A review and synthesis. Information Systems Journal29(1): 200–223.
LacosteS (2016) Sustainable value co-creation in business networks. Industrial Marketing Management52: 151–162.
45.
LiaoBWangT (2020) Research on industrial waste recovery network optimization: Opportunities brought by artificial intelligence. Mathematical Problems in Engineering2020(1): 3618424.
46.
LöfbergNÅkessonM (2018) Creating a service platform – How to co-create value in a remote service context. Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing33(6): 768–780.
47.
Lo PianoS (2020) Ethical principles in machine learning and artificial intelligence: Cases from the field and possible ways forward. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications7(1): 9.
48.
LuthraSSharmaMKumarA, et al. (2022) Overcoming barriers to cross-sector collaboration in circular supply chain management: A multi-method approach. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review157: 102582.
49.
MadanaguliASjödinDParidaV, et al. (2024) Artificial intelligence capabilities for circular business models: Research synthesis and future agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change200: 123189.
50.
MarianiMDwivediYK (2024) Generative artificial intelligence in innovation management: A preview of future research developments. Journal of Business Research175: 114542.
51.
Merodio GómezPRamírez SantiagoAGarcía SecoG, et al. (2022) Ethics in the use of geospatial information in the Americas. Technology in Society69: 101964.
52.
MurdochB (2021) Privacy and artificial intelligence: Challenges for protecting health information in a new era. BMC Medical Ethics22(1): 22.
53.
NambisanS (2017) Digital entrepreneurship: Toward a digital technology perspective of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice41(6): 1029–1055.
54.
NazFAgrawalRKumarA, et al. (2022) Reviewing the applications of artificial intelligence in sustainable supply chains: Exploring research propositions for future directions. Business Strategy and the Environment31(5): 2400–2423.
55.
OztemelEGursevS (2020) Literature review of Industry 4.0 and related technologies. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing31(1): 127–182.
56.
PathanMSRichardsonEGalvanE, et al. (2023) The role of artificial intelligence within circular economy activities—A view from Ireland. Sustainability[Online]15(12): 9451.
57.
PernaAO’TooleTBaraldiE, et al. (2022) The value co-creation journey: A longitudinal process unfolding in a network through collaboration. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing37(13): 182–196.
58.
PetrikDHärerF (2024) Conceptualizing AI-driven knowledge services for a circular economy. IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (ICE/ITMC). IEEE, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICE/ITMC61926.2024.10794308.
59.
PooyandehMSohnI (2021) Edge network optimization based on AI techniques: A survey. Electronics10(22): 2830.
60.
RabeloRJBernusP (2015) A holistic model of building innovation ecosystems. Ifac-Papersonline48(3): 2250–2257.
61.
RenQAlbrechtJ (2023) Toward circular economy: The impact of policy instruments on circular economy innovation for European small medium enterprises. Ecological Economics207: 107761.
62.
RicheyRGJr.ChowdhurySDavis-SramekB, et al. (2023) Artificial intelligence in logistics and supply chain management: A primer and roadmap for research. Journal of Business Logistics44(4): 532–549.
63.
RitterTLettlC (2018) The wider implications of business-model research. Long Range Planning51(1): 1–8.
64.
RobertsHZhangJBariachB, et al. (2024) Artificial intelligence in support of the circular economy: Ethical considerations and a path forward. AI and Society39(3): 1451–1464.
65.
RydénPEl SawyO (2022) Real-time management: When AI goes fast and flow. In: BounfourA (ed) Platforms and artificial intelligence: The next generation of competences. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 225–243.
66.
SarkerIH (2021) Machine learning: Algorithms, real-world applications and research directions. SN Computer Science2(3): 60.
67.
SchmutzJBOutlandNKerstanS, et al. (2024) AI-teaming: Redefining collaboration in the digital era. Current Opinion in Psychology58: 101837.
68.
ShepherdDSeybSGeorgeG (2021) Grounding business models: Cognition, boundary objects, and business-model change. The Academy of Management Review48(1): 100–122.
69.
SinghPSinghV (2024) The power of AI: Enhancing customer loyalty through satisfaction and efficiency. Cogent Business and Management11(1): 2326107.
70.
SinghSKumarRPayraS, et al (2023) Artificial intelligence and machine learning in pharmacological research: Bridging the gap between data and drug discovery. Cureus15(8): 1–17.
71.
SipolaJSaunilaMUkkoJ (2023) Adopting artificial intelligence in sustainable business. Journal of Cleaner Production426: 139197.
72.
SjödinDParidaVKohtamäkiM (2023) Artificial intelligence enabling circular business model innovation in digital servitization: Conceptualizing dynamic capabilities, AI capacities, business models and effects. Technological Forecasting and Social Change197: 122903.
73.
SjödinDParidaVPalmiéM, et al. (2021) How AI capabilities enable business model innovation: Scaling AI through co-evolutionary processes and feedback loops. Journal of Business Research134: 574–587.
74.
ThórissonKR (2007) Integrated AI systems. Minds and Machines17: 11–25.
75.
ToorajipourRSohrabpourVNazarpourA, et al. (2021) Artificial intelligence in supply chain management: A systematic literature review. Journal of Business Research122: 502–517.
76.
TutoreIParmentolaADi FioreMC, et al. (2024) A conceptual model of artificial intelligence effects on circular economy actions. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management31(5): 4772–4782.
77.
VelevaVBodkinG (2018) Corporate-entrepreneur collaborations to advance a circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production188: 20–37.
78.
Von BrielFDavidssonPReckerJ (2017) Digital technologies as external enablers of new venture creation in the IT hardware sector. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice42(1): 47–69.
79.
WangLLiuZLiuA, et al. (2021a) Artificial intelligence in product lifecycle management. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology114(3): 771–796.
80.
WangQSunTLiR (2023) Does artificial intelligence (AI) reduce ecological footprint? The role of globalization. Environmental Science and Pollution Research30(59): 123948–123965.
81.
WangSZhangH (2024) Green entrepreneurship success in the age of generative artificial intelligence: The interplay of technology adoption, knowledge management, and government support. Technology in Society79: 102744.
82.
WangXGaoHHuangK (2021b) Artificial intelligence in collaborative computing. Mobile Networks and Applications26(6): 2389–2391.
83.
WatsonRNielsenKRWilsonHN, et al. (2023) Policy for sustainable entrepreneurship: A crowdsourced framework. Journal of Cleaner Production383: 135234.
84.
WilsonMPaschenJPittL (2021) The circular economy meets artificial intelligence (AI): Understanding the opportunities of AI for reverse logistics. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal33(1): 9–25.
85.
ZhengLJZhangJZYee Sum LeeL, et al. (2024) Digital technology integration in business model innovation for carbon neutrality: An evolutionary process model for SMEs. Journal of Environmental Management359: 120978.
86.
ZongZGuanY (2025) AI-driven intelligent data analytics and predictive analysis in Industry 4.0: Transforming knowledge, innovation, and efficiency. Journal of the Knowledge Economy16: 864–903.
