Bridging intellectual capital and the circular economy: problematizing the theoretical foundations of circular intellectual capital

Purpose This study aims to provide a foundational theoretical grounding for the emerging concept of circular intellectual capital (CIC). It answers the questions: “what can we refer to as CIC, and how can we investigate it?” Prior research delved into the green intellectual capital (GIC) concept to present intellectual capital (IC) as an enabler to deal with environmental concerns. However, following the circular economy (CE) theoretical assumptions, CIC concerns a more disruptive construct than GIC, confronting IC firm-centric and instrumental theoretical assumptions with CE systemic and regenerative logics. Design/methodology/approach The article adopts a theory-driven conceptual research design that combines a problematization approach with theory synthesis and adaptation. We examine IC and CE influential definitions to identify their ontological and teleological assumptions. These are subsequently reinterpreted through the relational view of the firm and common good theory to develop a coherent conceptual framework for CIC. Findings The study identifies a tension between the appropriation and firm-centric foundations of IC and the system-level, regenerative orientation of CE. In addressing this tension, we position CIC as a closed-loop-oriented regenerative phenomenon embedded within interconnected organizational and societal systems rather than as intangible resources confined within firm boundaries. Originality/value This article contributes to IC research by clarifying the conceptual boundaries of CIC and distinguishing it from incremental extensions such as GIC. We advance theory by showing that investigating CIC requires challenging IC assumptions on how intangibles should serve firms' objectives. Overall, the work provides a conceptual foundation for future empirical research on CIC.