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The electrification of vehicles has become a critical means to achieve climate-neutral transportation. As more electric vehicles (EV) are adopted, an increasing number of lithiumion batteries will be utilized, inevitably experiencing capacity degradation over time. Retaining the value of these retired batteries through remanufacturing, reusing, and repurposing to create a second life holds significant environmental and economic benefits. However, many companies within the battery ecosystem struggle to capitalize on this opportunity due to a lack of business insight and suitable business models tailored to their operational contexts.

The ReCreate (Second Life Management of Electric Vehicle Batteries) research project was initiated to address these industrial needs through close collaboration with selected companies in the battery ecosystem. The project aims to define appropriate circular business models, methods, and processes to guide battery ecosystem actors in developing and implementing electric vehicle battery second life solutions, thereby advancing circularity around batteries and climate-neutral objectives. 

This handbook represents the culmination of three years of research within the ReCreate project. Its purpose is to present a simplified and practical overview of project outcomes across a series of key chapters. Comprising six chapters, the handbook will begin by discussing barriers and enablers, followed by circular business models and battery ecosystem management. It will then delve into design principles and performance monitoring guidelines, concluding with an integrated framework for second life and circular solutions for EV batteries. 

Each chapter briefly presents the main findings of the theme and concludes with discussion questions. The discussion questions include suggestions for relevant templates for workshops, and all templates are conveniently provided in the appendix for practical application. These templates serve as boundary objects, offering a starting point for internal and external cross-functional and cross-organizational dialogues within the electric vehicle battery ecosystem. They facilitate discussions and collaborations among various stakeholders, fostering alignment and synergy in developing circular business models for the second life of EV batteries.  

By facilitating reflection on current business strategies, needs, and pain points, the handbook aims to aid in the definition of future second life business strategies. We anticipate that this handbook will serve as a valuable resource for actors within the EV battery ecosystem, supporting their journey towards climate-neutral transportation. 

The electrification of vehicles has become a critical means to achieve climate-neutral transportation. As more electric vehicles (EV) are adopted, an increasing number of lithium-ion batteries will be utilized, inevitably experiencing capacity degradation over time. Retaining the value of these retired batteries through remanufacturing, reusing, and repurposing to create a second life holds significant environmental and economic benefits. However, many companies within the battery ecosystem struggle to capitalize on this opportunity due to a lack of business insight and suitable business models tailored to their operational contexts. The purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated framework for designing and implementing second life for the EV batteries that could guide and navigate ecosystem actors towards circularity. This study employed an explorative qualitative inquiry approach, utilizing interviews and workshop methods, involving 15 companies in the EV battery ecosystem. Data collection involved 24 semi-structured interviews and 22 workshops. The framework includes four building blocks, including 1) barriers and enablers, 2) circular business models archetypes and design principles, 3) ecosystem management, and 4) battery performance monitoring. Further, the paper explains criteria influencing the selection of design and implementation of strategies for battery second life. This research contributes to the theory of circular business models and ecosystem management in general, with specific relevance to battery second life and circularity. 

Achieving battery circularity is crucial for meeting the targets of net-zero emission vehicles by 2030 and enabling climate-neutral transportation by 2050. To facilitate this transition, firms operating in the electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem must reassess their value creation, capture, and delivery methods. Although EV battery second life presents a promising solution for circularity, many vehicle manufacturers and stakeholders in the battery ecosystem struggle to adapt their organizations internally and externally due to a lack of insights into suitable circular business models. The purpose of this study is to identify viable archetypes of circular business models for EV battery second life and examine their implications on company collaborations within the EV battery ecosystem. Three main archetypes of circular business models are identified (i.e., extending, sharing, and looping business models) and further divided into eight sub-archetypes. These models are elucidated in terms of key business model dimensions, including value proposition, value co-creation, value delivery, and value capture. The paper provides visual representations of the necessary interactions and collaborations among companies in the EV battery ecosystem to effectively implement the proposed business model archetypes. This research contributes to the theory of circular business models in general, with specific relevance to EV battery circularity.

This article introduces a novel seven-step methodology designed to incorporate podcasts as qualitative data sources in academic research, addressing a notable gap in current literature. The purpose of this methodology is to harness the unique and timely insights offered by podcasts, thereby enriching academic studies with diverse, real-time perspectives. The design of this approach includes a meticulous selection of podcasts based on relevance and credibility, comprehensive ethical considerations, strategic sampling methods, robust data collection and analysis techniques, and recommendations for applying best research practices. Key to this methodology is the use of weighted scoring systems to mitigate biases and the establishment of ethical guidelines specifically tailored for podcast data. The results of this study indicate the high potential of the proposed methodology in employing podcasts as an additional source of data, providing dynamic and current perspectives often absent in traditional research sources. Future studies are encouraged to delve deeper into refining and standardizing the proposed methodology, focusing on enhancing the weight metrics through advanced statistical techniques and exploring new technological tools for more efficient podcast data extraction and analysis. Graphical Abstract

The transition towards sustainable electrification, particularly in the context of electric vehicles (EVs), necessitates a comprehensive understanding and effective management of battery circularity. With a plethora of EV models and battery variants, navigating the complexities of circularity becomes increasingly challenging. Furthermore, efficient fleet management emphasizes the necessity for robust data collection and analysis across diverse EVs to optimize battery value throughout its lifecycle. Advanced digital technologies play a crucial role in bridging informational gaps and enabling real-time connectivity, intelligence, and analytical capabilities for batteries. However, despite the potential benefits, the integration of circularity and digital technologies in the battery sector remains largely unexplored. Both circularity and digital technologies in the battery domain are still emerging, lacking conceptualization on their integration. To tackle these challenges, this paper advocates for the concept of smart battery circularity, which amalgamates advanced digital technologies with circular economy principles. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the conceptualization of smart battery circularity and elucidate the key knowledge areas necessary to facilitate it. The study identifies three critical knowledge areas essential for enabling smart battery circularity: digitally enabled circular business models, digital twin platforms for circular battery services, and smart battery performance monitoring. The sub-areas within each key knowledge area are also outlined. By delineating these knowledge areas, the study proposes an integrative framework, showcasing how these areas contribute to smart battery circularity both individually and collectively. The study offers insights to accelerate the development of initiatives aimed at establishing a sustainable and circular battery ecosystem, thereby advancing global efforts towards climate-neutral electrification. 

This study presents a comprehensive literature review using a systematic approach to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in promoting sustainable development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The systematic review approach was applied to collect and analyze topics, and the literature search was conducted in two stages, encompassing 57 articles that met the research requirements. Our analysis reveals that AI's contribution to sustainability is concentrated within three key areas: organizational, technical, and processing aspects. The organizational aspect focuses on the integration of AI in companies and industries, addressing barriers to implementation and the relationship between companies, partners, and customers. The technical aspect highlights the development of AI algorithms that can address global challenges and contribute to the growth of stability and development in society. The processing aspect emphasizes the internal transformation of companies, their business models, and strategies in response to AI integration. Our proposed conceptual model outlines the essential elements organizations must consider when incorporating AI into their sustainability efforts, such as strategic alignment, infrastructure development, change management, and continuous improvement. By addressing these critical aspects, organizations can harness the potential of AI to drive positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. The model serves as a comprehensive framework for organizations seeking to leverage AI for sustainable development, but it should be adapted to individual contexts to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

The rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market has led to an increased demand for batteries, necessitating sustainable solutions for their entire lifecycle. This paper presents a conceptual framework addressing the second life stage of EV batteries. The framework comprises three primary elements: Value Proposition, Value Creation and Delivery, and Value Capture, each further divided into sub-elements encompassing various aspects of second life batteries. Developed through a literature review and validated through workshops with partnering companies, the framework provides a holistic view of second life batteries management. The study's findings identify distinct product/service offerings, target customer differentiation, key activities, ownership options, channels and customer relationships, resources and capabilities, partners and suppliers, cost structures, and revenue models for second life batteries. The paper's theoretical contribution lies in offering a framework that guides researchers and practitioners in developing sustainable strategies for battery production, use, and recycling. Practical implications include providing a tool for companies to evaluate and improve their practices in terms of sustainability and value. By fostering sustainable and profitable strategies, this paper contributes to the literature on sustainable battery production and the circular economy, while also benefiting the EV industry and society.

Medicine’s ability to quickly respond to challenges raises questions from researchers, practitioners, and society as a whole. Our task in this study was to identify key and atypical current factors influencing the development of medicine and to predict the development of medicine in the short, medium, and long term. To implement our study, we selected 22 medical experts and applied the three-level Delphi method. The current trends caused by COVID-19 have a short-term impact, but they will launch other drivers that will transform the healthcare industry. Well-being technologies, data-informed personalization, and climate change will become key drivers for the development of medicine over the period of 1–50 years. Expert opinion is divided about the future of mass availability of advanced medical treatment and sustainable development of healthcare.

As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) accelerates, the efficient management of end-of-life lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries becomes a pressing concern. This case study investigates sustainable second life approaches for Li-ion batteries within a leading manufacturing company in the heavy-duty vehicle industry. Employing an exploratory methodology, the study evaluates three distinct circularity approaches for second life applications: remanufacturing, repurposing, and reusing. Based on a financial model and sustainability metrics, remanufacturing emerged as the most economically viable and environmentally sustainable strategy for the company. The study also explores supplementary approaches, such as repurposing used batteries for smaller power applications and reusing them in large-scale Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Regulatory inconsistencies in battery second life are identified as a significant barrier to widespread implementation. The study concludes by advocating for a multi-stakeholder ecosystem approach and calls for the establishment of universal circularity regulations to streamline the second life of Li-ion batteries.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the healthcare sector, with a focus on how AI contributes to entrepreneurship and value creation. This study also aims to explore the potential of combining AI with other technologies, such as cloud computing, blockchain, IoMT, additive manufacturing and 5G, in the healthcare industry. Design/methodology/approach: Exploratory qualitative methodology was chosen to analyze 22 case studies from the USA, EU, Asia and South America. The data source was public and specialized podcast platforms. Findings: The findings show that combining technologies can create a competitive advantage for technology entrepreneurs and bring about transitions from simple consumer devices to actionable healthcare applications. The results of this research identified three main entrepreneurship areas: 1. Analytics, including staff reduction, patient prediction and decision support; 2. Security, including protection against cyberattacks and detection of atypical cases; 3. Performance optimization, which, in addition to reducing the time and costs of medical procedures, includes staff training, reducing capital costs and working with new markets. Originality/value: This study demonstrates how AI can be used with other technologies to cocreate value in the healthcare industry. This study provides a conceptual framework, “AI facilitators – AI achievers,” based on the findings and offer several theoretical contributions to academic literature in technology entrepreneurship and technology management and industry recommendations for practical implication.