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2026/2027 DIP-DENGO2403U Sustainable Transformation and Circular Economy
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| Sustainable Transformation and Circular Economy |
Course information |
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| Language | English |
| Course ECTS | 5 ECTS |
| Type | Mandatory |
| Level | Graduate Diploma |
| Duration | One Semester |
| Start time of the course | Autumn |
| Timetable | Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk |
| Study board |
Study Board for Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
(part 2)
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| Programme | Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Supply Chain Management) |
| Course coordinator | |
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| Contact info:
Study administration for HD SCM: HDSCM@cbs.dk Study administration for HD IB: HDIB@cbs.dk Study administration for HD MAR: HD2MARITIME@cbs.dk |
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| Teaching methods | |
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| Last updated on 13-04-2026 | |
Relevant links |
| Learning objectives | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The course provides students with knowledge of
the theories and concepts underlying sustainable development and
the circular economy, as well as current and past developments in
these areas. Students will learn to reflect on and discuss the
linear economy and the transition to a circular economy. Students
will learn how sustainable business practices create value, as well
as how to implement circularity strategies, including the relevant
tools and standards. Furthermore, students will learn to identify
the opportunities and challenges of implementing sustainable
strategies.
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| Examination | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Course content, structure and pedagogical approach | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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As we approach planetary boundaries, it is becoming increasingly evident that the current economic model is a primary cause of mounting environmental issues, such as the climate crisis, as well as social problems, such as the divide between the Global North and Global South. Sustainable business strategies have been introduced as an approach to mitigate or avoid these challenges. For example, these strategies use processes that do not harm the environment or pose a health risk to employees.
However, these efforts have often proven insufficient because they follow a linear production and consumption logic based on "doing less harm." Adopting a circular economy could offer a paradigm shift by changing our understanding of value creation, business models, and production processes. In a circular economy, one party’s waste is treated as another party’s resource. Additionally, developing circular economy business models aims to initiate a transition to more reflective consumer behavior and a changing understanding of value and value creation. While this creates new challenges, it also creates new opportunities that will profoundly shape the business environment in which successful companies must operate.
The Sustainable Transformation and Circular Economy course provides students with an overview of current developments in sustainable management and the circular economy. The course will discuss opportunities to shape the transformation based on past experience and new knowledge. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of relevant business models, stakeholders in a circular economy, and tools that facilitate implementing sustainability and circularity. Students will learn to assess their own work environments and identify potential opportunities in adopting sustainable and circular business approaches. |
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| Research-based teaching | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following
types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are
included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
Research-like activities
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| Description of the teaching methods | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| A combination of on-campus and online teaching -
6 online sessions and one double session on campus.
The course follows a mixed-methods approach. Traditional classroom teaching will be only one part of the course, while the students are expected to take an active role. Cases and exercises are analyzed and discussed to illustrate the theoretical foundation of the course and link it to practical examples. |
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| Feedback during the teaching period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| The students will get feedback through these discussions and presentations of own case assignments but also through questions to the teacher in class and also through mails or office hours. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Student workload | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Further Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The course consists of a total of 24 lessons (5 ECTS). For information relating to the course please go to: canvas.cbs.dk Materials will be available closer to course start.
On Campus: Friday, week 49 (09.50 - 16.05)
Teacher: Andreas
Wieland, awi.om@cbs.dk
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| Expected literature | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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The majority of literature for the course will be announced during the course.
Atasu, A., Dumas, C., & Van Wassenhove, L. N. (2021). The circular business model. Harvard Business Review, July–August. https://hbr.org/2021/07/the-circular-business-model
Rigby, D., First, Z., & O’Keeffe, D. (2023). How to create a stakeholder strategy. Harvard Business Review, May–June. https://hbr.org/2023/05/how-to-create-a-stakeholder-strategy
Wieland, A. & Creutzig, F. (2025). Taking Academic Ownership of the Supply Chain Emissions Discourse. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 61(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/jscm.12338 |
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