ABSTRACT
The premise of this study is to investigate how labor will be affected by the move to a circular economy supported by digitalization. This study thus proposes the introduction of circular economy as a transformation of businesses, society, industries and labor, and it proves that digitalization is one tool to aid that transformation. This chapter does not seek to prognosticate answers or provide a one-size-fits-all solution, as a potential future circular scenario involves major uncertainties and lacks real case studies on which to base predictions. Rather, this chapter offers a conceptual study that seeks to draw upon available literature and research findings in order to answer how the labor conditions are affected when digitalization is used to achieve circular businesses and societies in different ways. The chapter concludes by contending that the circular economy is fundamentally reshuffling our current economic system. As such, it should be viewed as an innovation and as a strategy not only for businesses, but for society as a whole. Digitalization will be an essential instrument in enabling and facilitating the circular economy.
