Strategy and Marketing

Enterprise in the Circular Economy

Module code: N1602
Level 6
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Workshop
Assessment modes: Coursework

This innovative module aims to provide an understanding of the circular economy, the potential opportunities for business it generates, and its contribution to sustainable development. It places at the forefront the limitations of the current liner model of ‘take, make dispose’, in terms of the depletion of the world resources, destruction of the environment and the diminished social welfare and inequality, and makes the case for the circular economy and its central tenet of reusability of materials and products, and the optimisation of value creation by businesses. The module will focus on business model innovation and the opportunities and constraints for existing businesses in adopting circular business models. These issues will be explored by taking examples of different size businesses, sectors, as well as national contexts.

Module learning outcomes

• Develop an understanding of the circular economy and the role of business in sustainable development
• Critically analyse the limitations of the current economic models
• Assess the opportunities associated with the transition of businesses to the circular economy and the factors enabling/constraining this transition
• Evaluate circular business models using examples from various sized businesses, sectors and countries