This dataset contains mainly text documents, and the qualitative coding scheme used to analyze the key discourses on circular economy by the Norwegian state and by civil society actors involved in research, development and innovation projects. The dataset is thus forming of a collection of documents about circular economy from the Norwegian government portal (123 files as PDF). A second set of documents is about R&D and innovation projects focusing on circular economy, this set of documents is downloaded from the Research Council of Norway. In addition to the original documents, we included two files that present the analytical structure to analyze the discourse of the set of documents.

Abstract: A growing body of research is investigating the connections between the discursive construction of circular economy (CE) and its influences on public policies that promote the socio-technological transition towards circular production and consumption systems. However, surprisingly little attention has focused on how CE discourses interact with science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) actors. To address this gap, this research adopts the prism of socio-technical imaginaries to understand specific visions of circularity in science and innovation, exploring how competing imaginaries mobilize specific actors, institutions, and visions of a greener future. Our empirical material included archival documentation from the Norwegian government and funded research projects on CE. Our analysis identified two key tension points within these imaginaries: “International drivers versus regional and local transition arenas” and “Ecological modernization versus sectoral transformation.” We suggest that tensions are inherent in CE socio-technical imaginaries but are often silenced or minimized by institutional discourses on circularity. Our findings suggest that official CE policy programs tend to minimize or overtly ignore criticisms and contestation that are increasingly raised in academic circles. Our findings indicate the need for increased involvement of ST&I actors and other societal actors (such as NGOs and the private sector) in the CE policymaking process to avoid endless growth as an unexpected CE policy outcome.