C9310 - CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODELS

Learning outcomes

The course provides students with the knowledge of the principle of circular and green economy aimed at understanding a business model and structure a business plan in the framework of sustainable economy. The course provides elements of decision-making as well as methods and techniques to analyze different scenarios, consider also the effect of parameters related to natural and raw materials consumption, environmental impact and emissions, and plan strategic decisions. At the end of the course students will be able to: Evaluate entrepreneurial opportunities; - Understand the functions of the business model and business plan; - Analyze the competition, - Evaluate the opportunity of sustainable supply chain and symbiotic industrial district,- Define the value proposition and the marketing plan of innovative circular economy solution and green products and services.

Course contents

0. An introduction to linear economy

1.The economic analysis of circular economies

2.Theories of production, structural change, industrial development and sustainability

3. The circular economy perspective: theories, policies and strategies, strategic planning and business models

4. Sustainability assessments

5. Energy transition and new relations

6. Group work

Readings/Bibliography

'Attending students' – those who attend lectures regularly – will receive reading material on Virtuale and selected papers coherent with classroom path.

‘Not-attending students’ – students who study independently without attending lectures regularly – are required to study the following textbook and papers:

Tonelli, M. & Cristoni, N. (2020). Strategic Management and the Circular Economy, Routledge. Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Woldeyes, T.D., Muffatto, M., Ferrati, F. (2025). "Emerging Business Model Archetypes in the Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review." Sustainable Development, 33(3), 4428–4456. DOI: 10.1002/sd.3348

De Angelis, R. (2024). "Circular economy business models as progressive business models: Evidence from circular start-ups."

Woldeyes, T.D., Muffatto, M., Ferrati, F. (2023). "Archetypes of Business Models for Circular Economy: A Classification Approach and Value Perspective." In: Scholz, S.G., Howlett, R.J., Setchi, R. (eds),

De Keyser, E., Mathijs, E. (2023). "A typology of sustainable circular business models with applications in the bioeconomy."

Smol, M., Marcinek, P., Duda, J. (2024). "Circular Business Models (CBMs) in Environmental Management—Analysis of Definitions, Typologies and Methods of Creation in Organizations."

Teaching methods

For "attending students", the teaching will be delivered through a combination of frontal lectures, groupwork, design thinking laboratory activities and participation in classroom discussions.

For “non-attending students”, the focus is on individual study of the book (see “Assessment methods for non-attending students” below).

Students must decide whether to be 'attending' or 'not-attending' within one week of the start of the course.

Assessment methods

i) Assessment for “attending students”:

Small paper (minimum 5 pages-The title will be finalised with the teacher) + course activities (50% + 50%+ bonus groupwork).

ii) Assessment for “not-attending students”:

Not-attending students will take a written exam (3 open questions + 3 small questions) at the end of the course accounting for 100% of the mark. This exam is based on the study of the following textbook:

Tonelli Marcello, Cristoni Nicolò (2020). Strategic Management and the Circular Economy, Routledge. (Chapters to be studied: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Evaluation Criterion:

18-23: sufficient preparation and analytical skills but related to a limited number of topics covered in the course, use of overall correct language;

24-27: preparation technically adequate but with some limitations with respect to the topics covered, good analytical skills, although not particularly articulate, expressed in correct language;

28-30: excellent knowledge of a wide range of topics covered in the course, good analytical and critical skills, mastery of specific terminology;

30L: excellent and very thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered in the course, ability to analyze critically and make connections, mastery of specific terminology.

"Advice for students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that you contact the responsible University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) in good time. The office will be responsible for proposing any adjustments to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted, at least 15 days in advance, for the approval of the teacher, who will assess the appropriateness of such adjustments, also in relation to the teaching objectives".

AI support is not ammitted.

Teaching tools

Frontal teaching will be delivered with the support of PowerPoint presentations. Active participation in class activities and discussions is required.

Office hours

See the website of Sabrina Pedrini