Business Models for Circular Economy

ECO5020

Our economy is largely based on a make-use-dispose model that currently uses more resources than the Earth can provide and pollutes our natural environment (e.g. plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions). Governments and businesses are increasingly relying on circular economy principles by optimizing the use of limited resources and minimizing emissions of the environment to make a transition towards a more sustainable future. This course provides competencies on the different principles of circular economy, how material cycles can be more effective, how sharing economy can be applied and how individuals, companies and communities can contribute to the circular economy transition. We will be focusing on sustainable business and production within and across different sectors. The role of innovation will be explored, such as creating new business opportunities based on efficient resource usage, selling services instead of products, product design, maintenance, repair, reuse, and manufacturing, refurbishing, and recycling. The course will use a case-based format and will help students to learn connections between economic, environmental, social and governance issues.

It is possible to apply for admission to the course as a single course. There are reservations about the available capacity on the course. The applicant must meet the current admission requirements for the Master of Science in Business program.

More information about single courses and deadlines.

Must fulfill the requirements for admission to the two year Master of Science in Business program.

Knowledge

advanced knowledge about circular economy principles and the social, managerial, and political challenges of sustainable business;
thorough knowledge theoretical perspectives that integrates social, economic and natural systems, process and structures;
knowledge about the application circular economy principles in businesses across different contexts;
Knowledge about how innovation processes can transform businesses and industries towards a circular economy.

Skills

to analyze the complex interplay between the economic, social, environmental, and governance issues within circular economy;
to apply knowledge to manage an independently;
to analyze and critically access foundations for sustainable business within and across different sectors;
to identify and evaluate innovative opportunities for value-creation from adapting circular economy principles within and across different sectors.

General competence

can analyze opportunities and challenges of circular economy and it significance for business in different contexts;
can demonstrate their communication skills by providing convincing arguments to act as an circular economy expert in different decision-making situations of a business;

can display their creativity in designing and implementing circular economy innovations in new and established businesses and demonstrate understanding of its impact across the wider ecosystem.

No tuition fees. Costs for semester registration and course literature apply.

Lectures, case studies, and group discussions

The programme is evaluated accirding to the university's quality assurance system.

Due to the Covid-19 epedemic, a number of assessments and exams at Nord University has been changed.

Changes are made in accordance with the Temporary Regulations on Supplements to Regulation 31/01/2019 no. 63: Concerning Studies and Examinations at Nord University - Extraordinary Measures as a Result of the Coronavirus Epidemic- according to §2 of the Corona Epidemic, Assessment Methods, Sections 1-3

To accommodate this, the form of assessment will be changed from Written School examination to Take -home Examination for new exams on this course in the spring of 2020.

Pen, pencil, ruler, bilingual dictionary and simple calculator.

Curriculum literature

Leganto

Course language

English

Credits

7.5

Study location

Bodø

Responsible faculty

Nord University Business School

Course coordinator

Information about the course coordinator for the selected semester is no longer available. Please contact the current course coordinator.