The Dutch construction industry mainly operates on a linear economy model. However, transitioning to a circular economy (CE) is seen as essential for meeting climate change objectives and adhering to the Paris Agreement. However, the industry has been slow to adopt CE principles, primarily due to its inherent aversion to risk and resistance to change. This reluctance is further compounded by cognitive biases among stakeholders, which create a "lock-in" effect that favours traditional practices over CE innovations.
The main question this research seeks to answer is, "How does cognitive lock-in at the regime level of the construction industry hinder the implementation of the circular economy?"
This research aims to explore how cognitive lock-in at the regime level impedes CE implementation by examining socio-cultural barriers and the impact of cognitive biases on decision-making processes.