The problems related to environmental sustainability have led to the redefinition of economic processes, in particular from the previous linear model (take-make-dispose) to circular economic models. This implies changing the way and approach to industrial production particularly through innovation. This paper focuses on the question if and in which terms today we can talk about innovative ecosystems as an evolution of the industrial districts and clusters, and in which terms they can be capable of pursuing circularity issues by leveraging the innovation process.
The paper aims at tackling the issue by means of a literature review of theories: circularity and business model innovation, spatial diffusion and clusters, innovation ecosystems. From the literature review, we derived an overview of the evolutionary path taken by local production systems from industrial districts and clusters that can lead to circular innovation ecosystems, conceptualizing the possible relationship between local industrial development, innovation and circularity.
