Zeller, Johanna C.Johanna C.ZellerDamberg, SvenjaSvenjaDamberg2022-08-082022-08-082022-0729th Innovation and Product Development Management Conference (IPDMC 2022): (2022)http://hdl.handle.net/11420/13420Less developed rural regions lack the necessary resources to meet the need for a transformation towards achieving higher levels of sustainability. To overcome this structural weakness, circular economy (CE) provides a holistic approach to meet the challenges when adjusting to this upcoming transformation. This paper focuses on CE implementation in rural areas as a suggested solution to tackle the problems of less developed regions. Prior research has provided first insights in the context of CE and regions but is missing clear scientific evaluation for the drivers and barriers of CE implementations in regions. In this study, we therefore look at how key stakeholders can be drivers for rural regions implementing CE. To contribute to the current research agenda, this paper sheds light on the organizational perspective, and focusses on key stakeholders as important players in CE innovation processes. This theoretical perspective is complemented by an analysis of secondary sources, qualitative expert interviews, and a workshop with key stakeholders from two exemplary regions. The results point out drivers for organizations which can be steered by the local authorities. Moreover, the paper provides practical guidelines for regions on how to facilitate the integration of key stakeholders in this transformational process in the transition towards CE.enWirtschaftConference Paper not in ProceedingsOther