Examination arrangement

Course content

The circular economy is designed to provide an alternative to today's linear economy "take-make-waste". In a circular economy, all systems are designed to be regenerative so that materials are recycled. A circular economy contributes to sustainable development that ideally maintains the quality of life for consumers and is achieved without loss of revenue or additional costs for producers. In this regard, circular business models can have the potential to be as profitable as linear models. The circular economy is influenced by choices and strategies on behalf of suppliers, designers, companies, decision makers, consumers and other stakeholders.

This course will cover:

• Companies' value creation through reuse and recycling of products
• Design of smart solutions
• The importance of sustainable business models for the circular economy and sustainable development

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

Students should be able to refer to basic knowledge of linear and circular economy and explain the difference between them.

The student should be able to discuss theory of sustainable development and show the ability to critically reflect on organizations' decisions and strategic choices in practice. On behalf of the discussion, the student is free to choose the type of organization that will influence or be influenced by the individual decision.

The student should be able to assess in what way network theory and stakeholder theory play a role in possible value creation potential.

Skills:

The student should be able to be aware of the complexity of circular economy and the connection with a holistic approach to sustainable development.

The student should be able to address opportunities for circular economy in relation to an optional case.

Students should be able to select an appropriate methodology for product design that contributes to an increased degree of circular economy.

The student should be able to make decisions by applying theoretical and practical knowledge of sustainable business models.

General competence:

Students should be able to contribute to new ways of thinking towards a paradigm shift within the economy and society.

Students should be able to see differences and connections between a linear and circular economy.

Students will evaluate possible sustainable business models that contribute to the circular economy. Students should be able to realize the potential for circular economy on behalf of a case.

Learning methods and activities

A combination of lectures, guest lectures, group exercises "flipped classroom" and online resources.

Compulsory assignments

• Required coursework

Further on evaluation

Compulsory assessment - completed at least 2 of 3 portfolio submissions.

The student works in groupswith the portfolio submissions.

Compulsory assessment - folder submission is evaluated as passed / failed.

Individual home exam is in the form of an essay that counts 100% of the letter grade scale A-F.

The duration of the home examination is three days.

In terms of a postponed examination (re-sit examination), the compulsory assessment (portfolio submission) must be passed, and a new home examination must be completed.

Specific conditions

Course materials

Sillanpää, M. and C. Necibi (2019). The Circular Economy: Case Studies about the Transition from the Linear Economy, Elsevier Science.

Charter, M. (Ed.). (2019). Designing for the Circular Economy. London: Routledge.