ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a conceptualisation of how virtual intermediaries can help facilitate the transitioning of a business ecology to a circular economy (CE). This conceptualisation is based on recent research in Victoria, Australia. We argue that the transformation towards a CE occurs across three transformation arenas: market creation, the enabling environment, and organisational change. These transformation arenas were identified using a theory of change methodology, drawing on interviews and a literature review. The chapter examines the roles that a virtual intermediary can play in the key transformation arenas or systemically across all transformation arenas, to either reduce transaction costs, overcome inertia, streamline and standardise, or facilitate systemic learning. This provides a novel contribution to the conceptualisation and roles that a virtual intermediary can play on the path toward a CE, and the systemic re-alignment that is required for a transition to take place.
