92117 - 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

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. Energetic transiction and new relations..

Readings/Bibliography

“Attending students” – i.e., students joining lectures with regular frequency – will receive the list of readings to be studied during the course.

“Not-attending students” – i.e., students studying on their own without joining lectures with regular frequency – are required to study 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)

Teaching methods

For “attending students”: blended teaching involving frontal lectures, presentations by students, laboratory activities and participation in classroom discussions.

For “not-attending students”: individual study of the book (see below “Assessment methods for not-attending students”)

Students are required within one week from the beginning of the course to decide whether to be “attending students” or not.

Assessment methods

i) Assessment for “attending students”:

Small paper (5 pages) + course activities (50% + 50%)

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)

Teaching tools

Frontal teaching delivered with the support of PPT presentations and papers, readings and further material provided by the lecturers. Active participation in discussion and classwork is required.

Office hours

See the website of Sabrina Pedrini