Leveraging Circular Business Models to Achieve Living Incomes for Ivorian Cocoa Farmers

Human, Simeon (2026) Leveraging Circular Business Models to Achieve Living Incomes for Ivorian Cocoa Farmers. Journal of Circular Economy, 4 (1). pp. 494-518.

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Abstract

Purpose: value chain transparency and circularity are tested as concepts that could enable Ivorian cocoa farmers to maintain a living income, defined as the amount needed for a household to afford a decent standard of living. The Fair Score Framework is a proposed conceptual framework designed to measure value chain fairness. Its development responds to calls in the literature for improved implementation of the circular economy. Methodology: this study uses a qualitative approach, combining a narrative review with a conceptual framework development design. The primary dataset includes a farmer questionnaire (n=215), consumer questionnaire (n=212), and semi-structured interviews (n=12). The research is guided by consumption theory, drawing on Keynes, Friedman, and Modigliani. Findings: farmers suggest that adopting circular practices yields minimal income gains unless value chain inequalities are structurally addressed. Consumers from six countries increased the share paid to farmers by 7.41% after watching an informational video. A Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.79 confirms acceptable reliability. Interviewees noted that while circularity may reduce waste, it cannot ensure poverty alleviation in its current form. This presents an opportunity to develop entrepreneurial circular business models that address income distribution. Originality: entrepreneurial circular business models could be leveraged by incorporating the Fair Score Framework, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Nutri-Score label and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Circularity Scoreboard as reference points.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Circular Economy · Cocoa · Living income · Transparency · Consumer · Entrepreneurial · Circular Business Model · Value Chain
Divisions:	Agriculture, Science and Practice
Depositing User:	Ms Susan Baker
Date Deposited:	23 Mar 2026 10:26
Last Modified:	23 Mar 2026 10:26
URI:	https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17089

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