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.

Grading scale

Approved/Failed

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.