Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Customer-focused design thinking approach allows rethinking products, services, business models and economic systems. It can help companies reach more value from the energy and resources they use. Service design and co-creation is central to a well-functioning circular economy. Existing services can be refined and completely new solutions can be created that can revolutionize the system itself (e.g. renting a coach, from owning to renting a car, etc.).

With circular economy design, economic growth can be decoupled from the resource consumption by promoting innovation, smart design and co-design, knowledge sharing, cooperation and collaboration. In a co-creation process, the mutual value is “created with stakeholders. The needs, objectives and activities are negotiated together with different stakeholders. The process takes into consideration the real needs of the target groups in order to create sustainable innovations.

Module 3 will provide a theoretical framework for service design in the context of circular economy. Service design thinking is central in developing sustainable and attractive business models. Therefore, this module will be implemented hand-in-hand with the Module 2 in order to achieve the highest synergy.

Teaching methods

Service Design for Circular Economy -course is part of 3UAS Circular Economy Learning path: Circular economy for sustainable growth 15 ECTS.
Students need to register for the whole 15 CR Learning path. This course cannot be chosen as stand-alone.
The learning path consists of three modules:
• Study module 1: Towards a Sustainable Consumer Society (5 cr) (Metropolia)
• Study module 2: New Business Models in Circular Economy (5 cr) (Haaga-Helia)
• Study module 3: Service Design for Circular Economy (5 cr) (Laurea)
Modules 2 & 3 will be implemented as one integrated 10 cr. course.
The modules are undertaken as an assignment to a real-life company and executed in mixed multidisciplinary teams.
Blended learning and flipped classroom approach.
Hands-on exercises to learn to utilize service design tools for solving real life circular economy problems.
Coco Cosmos toolkit will be used in the module to develop and to communicate a shared view of complex situations and to discover innovation possibilities.

Location and time

See Important dates for Schedule.
The workshops and the bootcamp during the modules 2 and 3 will be held either at Laurea Leppävaara (Vanha maantie 9) or at Haage-Helia Pasila (Ratapihantie 13). Specific workshop locations will be informed before the modules start.

Learning materials and recommended literature

All materials will be available on-line and recommended reading and other reference materials are available on-line.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

Not available

Co-operation with working life and/or RDI

The modules are undertaken as an assignment to a real-life company and executed in mixed multidisciplinary teams.

Important dates

Module 2 New Business Models in Circular Economy (5 cr) (Haaga-Helia) and Module 3: Service Design for Circular Economy (5 cr) (Laurea)
Common workshops times of Haaga-Helia and Laurea:
• 11.10. 12:30-16:00
• 18.10. 12:30-16:00
• 25.10. 12:30-16:00
• 1.11. 12:30-16:00
• 8.11. 12:30-16:00
• 15.11. 12:30-16:00
• 22.11. 12:30-16:00
• 28.11. 9:00-16:00 Bootcamp Day
• 6.12. free
• 13.12. 12:30-16:00
• 20.12. free

Further information for students

The Circular Economy Learning path engages 3UAS students from various different backgrounds to work towards a circular economy with companies, especially SMEs. The path exposes the students to the circular economy, which the students do not currently encounter in their earlier studies. The student will accomplish increased learning of the circular economy with knowledge of new tools and concepts on how to develop new innovative and attractive circular economy solutions and business models and the motivation to work for sustainable solutions.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Knowledge: The student can identify, list and combine the main issues related to circular economy.
Skills: The student can, when part of a team, contribute to tackling and developing circular economy solutions in an organisation. The student can conduct research to identify the elements of circular economy.
Competence: The student can only with difficulty apply problem identification, analysis and solving to circular economy. The student does not demonstrate aptitude or interest in developing circular economy solutions.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Knowledge: The student can describe the main issues related to circular economy and apply them to new contexts. The student can link the key theoretical concepts to the practical tasks. The student has an understanding of how circular economy contributes to organisational success.
Skills: The student can identify and create circular economy elements and business models in an organisation and implement them with some support.
Competence: The student shows moderate independence in his/her work. The student can apply problem identification, analysis and solving to circular economy to a certain extent. The student demonstrates some aptitude and interest in developing circular economy solutions.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Knowledge: The student can use and combine different theories to present his/her own suggestions and models. The student is aware of conflicting views on the topic. The student uses theory and specific terminology accurately.
The student has a clear understanding and appreciation of how circular economy contributes to organisational success.
Skills: The student can identify, create, implement and develop circular economy solutions and business models in an organisation independently or with only occational suppot.
Competence: The student shows a great degree of independence in his/her work. The student can skillfully apply problem identification, analysis and solving to circular economy issues and projects to an extent. The student demonstrates great aptitude and interest in developing circular economy solutions.

Qualifications

All materials are available on-line and recommended reading and other reference materials are available on-line.

Prerequisite
Approved completion of an introductory course to Corporate Responsibility is a strong recommendation

Further information

This course is part of 3UAS learning lane “Circular Economy for Sustainable Growth” that forms an independent 15 credit specialization in the circular economy.