Jemal, K. M.; Aibinu, A. and Oraee, M. (2026) Technological enablers of lighting-as-a-service business model for circular lighting: A qualitative study. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, pp. 1-23. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose – The Lighting-as-a-Service (LaaS) business model has emerged as a promising concept to advance circular economy (CE) in the lighting sector. However, the role of technology as an enabler remains inadequately explored within the academic literature. This study aims to investigate the technological enablers of LaaS, their capabilities and interrelationships to circularity principles. Design/methodology/approach – This study employs a PRISMA-based systematic review to identify and synthesise relevant literature on the technological enablers particularly supporting LaaS. Subsequently, this study employs qualitative methods drawing on 23 semi-structured interviews with manufacturers, consultants, designers, property and facility managers. Data were transcribed, structured and analysed using a thematic coding process. Findings – The findings identify seven interdependent technological clusters enabling the implementation of LaaS, including (1) core lighting technologies, (2) sensing technologies, (3) control technologies, (4) connecting technologies, (5) data analytics tools, (6) service-based platforms and (7) manufacturing technology. This study further demonstrates that the identified technologies primarily support narrowing and slowing resource loops, while tools that support closing and regenerating strategies remain limited. Practical implications – This study supports lighting companies in their development, implementation and scaling of LaaS business model. By highlighting the interdependences between technological clusters and circularity strategies, the findings allow practitioners to adopt technologies that collectively enable energy-efficiency, durability and circularity. Originality/value – Drawing on qualitative insights, this study identifies technological clusters that collectively and independently support the adoption of LaaS. Moreover, this study links these clusters to the circularity strategies, thereby advancing research on digitisation, business model innovation and CE within the built environment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | circular lighting; lighting-as-a-service; product service systems; qualitative study; technology |
| Index terms: | systematic literature review, methodology, business model, designer, qualitative method, qualitative study, efficiency, built environment, circular economy, durability, manufacturer, strategy, practitioner, interdependence, implementation, platform, manager, drawing, circularity, interview, scaling |
| Subjects: | infrastructure and transport systems, performance management, sustainable materials, data collection methods, organization, research evaluation and metrics, practitioner, research design and methodology, business, profession, organizational analysis, sustainable design, technical documentation, material degradation and durability, digital design, contractual arrangements, management, research methods |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Sustainability, Quality Management, Organizational Design, Construction Materials, Research Practice, Procurement, Business Strategy, Digital Applications, Urban Studies, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here