A novel shape memory material was prepared based on the formation of inclusion complexes between alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL); the PCL-alpha-CD inclusion crystallites serve as a fixing phase, while free PCL crystallites serve as a reversible phase. The characteristics of the material were investigated and a mechanism for the shape memory behavior was proposed. This material showed good shape memory properties, with the recovery ratio exceeding 90% and the recovery time being less than 6 s at 90 degrees C. This PCL-alpha-CD partial inclusion complex lost about 50% (47.4 +/- 4.4%) weight within 45 days in presence of lipase, indicating its degradability. The shape memory and biodegradation properties of the well-designed polymer-alpha-CD complexes indicate great promise for this novel shape memory material.