Circular Economy: (Social) Entrepreneurial Processes, Impacts, Pathways and Cross-sector Networks 1600-SZD-SPEC-EC-GSE
The circular economy (CE) paradigm has become a popular concept that emerged to challenge a predominantly linear economic development model by extracting and retaining the highest possible value from existing resources through their recirculation. This is enabled through entrepreneurial practices such as re-use, recovery, repair, recycling, design for the environment amongst others. The growing body of literature portrays those activities as interrelated social, technical, environmental and geographical phenomena that have long-lasting sustainability impacts.This course introduces the student to the multi-dimensional circular economy concept and provides an opportunity for hands-on learning on associated topics. Drawing upon real-life examples and case studies of (social) enterprises, it uncovers inter-organizational and intra-organizational socio-spatial networks and mechanisms and processes shaping mainstream and alternative circular economy spaces of production, exchange and consumption. Doing so, it explores key value chains (e.g., plastics, textiles, food, electronics), interrogates social CE business models and explores scaling pathways social-circular business innovations to mitigate waste whilst maximizing the delivery of social and economic value outcomes and impacts, yet in the light of potential costs/risks. In exploring how the ecological, extraeconomic and economic premises of CE thinking can be harnessed through networks spanning public, private and social sector organizations, it discusses the development of circular economy development trajectories in the local, regional, national and international development contexts. Finally, it examines economic and institutional structures, governance policies, frameworks, as well as available tools and techniques designed to enable transition to the CE.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge | The graduate knows and understands:
WG_01 - to the extent necessary for existing paradigms to be revised - a worldwide body of work, covering theoretical foundations as well as general and selected specific issues - relevant to a particular discipline
within the social sciences
WG_02 - the main development trends in the disciplines of the social sciences in which the education is provided
WG_03 - scientific research methodology in the field of the social sciences
WK_01 - fundamental dilemmas of modern civilisation from the perspective of the social sciences
Skills | The graduate is able to:
UK_05 - speaking a foreign language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages using the professional terminology specific to the discipline within the social sciences, to the extent enabling participation in an international scientific and professional environment
Social competences | The graduate is ready to
KO_01 - fulfilling the social obligations of researchers and creators
KO_02 - fulfilling social obligations and taking actions in the public interest, in particular in initiating actions in the public interest
KO_03 - think and acting in an entrepreneurial manner
And others: WG_04 – the concept of the circular economy, circular economy-related theoretical models and implications of circular economy practices for local, regional and national development strategiesUK_06 – to critically interrogate and assess the concept of the circular economy and associated rebound effectsUK_07 – to examine socio-spatial circular economy networks UK_08 – to discuss opportunities and possible methods of implementation of the circular economy in urban areas, as well as in public, social and private sector organizations so that multi-scalar spillover effects can occurUK_09 – to assess benefits of circular economy business models and scaling pathways of social-circular business innovations to mitigate waste whilst maximizing delivery social and economic value. UK_10 – to uncover and interrogate the relationship between circularity and sustainability across diverse value chains (e.g., plastics, textiles, food, wood).UK_11 – to apply the principles of the circular economy to real-life casesKO_04 – creative, analytical and systems thinkingKO_05 – teamworkKO_06 – argumentation skills
Assessment criteria
Description of requirements related to participation in classes, including the
permitted number of explained absences: maximum three hours of unjustified absences
Principles for passing the classes and the subject (including resit session): individual project (i.e., blog entry/short article) and group work (project)
Methods for the verification of learning outcomes: active participation in classes (preparation for classes), group project and individual written work
Evaluation criteria: 50% - group project; 30% - individual written work; 20% activity at classes
Bibliography
Compulsory readings:
Anne Rainville (2021). Stimulating a more Circular Economy through Public Procurement: Roles and dynamics of intermediation. Research Policy, 50(4): 104193.
Martin Geissdoerfer, Sandra Naomi Morioka, Marly Monteiro de Carvalho, Steve Evans (2022) Business models and supply chains for the circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 190: 712-721.
Maryam Hina, Chetna Chauhan, Puneet Kaur, Sascha Kraus, Amandeep Dhir (2022). Drivers and barriers of circular economy business models: Where we are now, and where we are heading. Journal of Cleaner Production, 333: 130049.
Julian Kirchherr, Nan-Hua Nadja Yang, Frederik Schulze-Spüntrup, Maarten J. Heerink, Kris Hartley (2023). Conceptualizing the Circular Economy (Revisited): An Analysis of 221 Definitions, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 98: 107001.
Stahel, W. R. (2019). The circular economy. A user’s guide. Routledge, New York.Weetman, C. (2020). Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business. Kogan Page, New York/New Delhi.________________________
Supplementary readings:
Calisto Friant, M., Vermeulen, W. J., & Salomone, R. (2020). A typology of circular economy discourses: Navigating the diverse visions of a contested paradigm. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 161, Article 104917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104917
Campbell-Johnston, K., Calisto Friant, M., Thapa, K., Lakerveld, D., & Vermeulen, W. J. (2020). How circular is your tyre: Experiences with extended producer responsibility from a circular economy perspective. Journal of cleaner production, 270, Article 122042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122042
Delgadillo, E., Reyes, T., & Baumgartner, R. J. (2021). Towards territorial product-service systems: A framework linking resources, networks and value creation. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 28, 1297-1313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.08.003
Droege, H., Raggi, A., & Ramos, T. B. (2021). Co‐development of a framework for circular economy assessment in organisations: Learnings from the public sector. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(6), 1715-1729. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2140
Fratini, C.F., Georg, S., Jørgensen, M.S. (2019) Exploring circular economy imaginaries in European cities: A research agenda for the governance of urban sustainability transitions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 288:974-989.
Friant, M.C., Vermeulen, W.J.V., Salomone, R. (2021) Analysing European Union circular economy policies: words versus actions. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 27:337-353.
Klein, N., Ramos, T. B., & Deutz, P. (2020). Circular economy practices and strategies in public sector organizations: An integrative review. Sustainability, 12(10), Article 4181. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104181
Korhonen, J., Nuur, C., Feldmann, A. & Birkie, S. E. (2018). Circular economy as an essentially contested concept. Journal of Cleaner Production, 175(February), 544–552.
Lacy, P., Long, J. & Spindler, W. (2020). The Circular Economy Handbook. Realizing the Circular Advantage. Palgrave Macmillan, London.Lekan, M., Jonas, A.E.G. & Deutz, P. (2021). Circularity as Alterity? Untangling Circuits of Value in the Social Enterprise–Led Local Development of the Circular Economy. Economic Geography 97(30): 257-283. DOI 10.1080/00130095.2021.1931109
Lekan, M. & Rogers, H. A. (2020). Digitally-enabled diverse economies: exploring socially inclusive access to the circular economy in the city. Urban Geography – Debates and Interventions 41(6): 898-901. DOI 10.1080/02723638.2020.1796097
Newsholme, A., Deutz, P., Affolderbach, J., & Baumgartner, R. J. (2022). Negotiating Stakeholder Relationships in a Regional Circular Economy: Discourse Analysis of Multi-scalar Policies and Company Statements from the North of England. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2(2), 783-809. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-021-00143-9
Opferkuch, K., Caeiro, S., Salomone, R., & Ramos, T. B. (2021). Circular economy in corporate sustainability reporting: A review of organisational approaches. Business strategy and the environment : BSE, 30(8), 4015-4036. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2854
Pusz, M., Jonas, A.E.G., Deutz, P. (2023). Knitting Circular Ties: Empowering Networks for the Social Enterprise-led Local Development of an Integrative Circular Economy. Circular Economy and Sustainability. DOI 10.1007/s43615-023-00271-4
Roos Lindgreen, E., Opferkuch, K., Walker, A. M., Salomone, R., Reyes, T., Raggi, A., …Caeiro, S. (2022). Exploring assessment practices of companies actively engaged with circular economy. Business strategy and the environment: BSE, 31(4), 1414-1438. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2962
Roos Lindgreen, E., Salomone, R., & Reyes, T. (2020). A Critical Review of Academic Approaches, Methods and Tools to Assess Circular Economy at the Micro Level. Sustainability, 12(12), Article 4973. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124973
Santa‐Maria, T., Vermeulen, W. J. V., & Baumgartner, R. J. (2022). The Circular Sprint: Circular business model innovation through design thinking: Journal of Cleaner Production 362:132323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132323Santa‐Maria, T., Vermeulen, W. J. V., & Baumgartner, R. J. (2021). How do incumbent firms innovate their business models for the circular economy? Identifying micro‐foundations of dynamic capabilities. Business strategy and the environment: BSE, https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2956
Thapa, K., Vermeulen, W. J. V., Deutz, P., & Olayide, O. (2022). Ultimate producer responsibility for e-waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria. Business Strategy and Development, https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.222
Thapa, K., Vermeulen, W., Deutz, P., & Olayide, O. (2022). Transboundary movement of waste review: From binary towards a contextual framing. Waste management & research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy, https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X221105424Walker, A. M., Opferkuch, K., Roos Lindgreen, E., Simboli, A., Vermeulen, W. J., & Raggi, A. (2021). Assessing the social sustainability of circular economy practices: Industry perspectives from Italy and the Netherlands. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 27, 831-844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.01.030
Walker, A. M., Vermeulen, W. J., Simboli, A., & Raggi, A. (2021). Sustainability assessment in circular inter-firm networks: An integrated framework of industrial ecology and circular supply chain management approaches. Journal of cleaner production, 286, Article 125457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125457
Walker, A. M., Opferkuch, K., Roos Lindgreen, E., Raggi, A., Simboli, A., Vermeulen, W. J., …Salomone, R. (2021). What Is the Relation between Circular Economy and Sustainability? Answers from Frontrunner Companies Engaged with Circular Economy Practices. Circular Economy and Sustainability, https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-021-00064-7
Watkins, E., Gionfra, S., Schweitzer, J-P., Panzer, M., Janssens, C., Brink, P. (2017) EPR in the EU Plastics Strategy and the Circular Economy:
A focus on plastic packaging. The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP).
Additional information
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