About this course

Increasing climate and environmental challenges, new regulations, and changing expectations from customers, investors, and society are placing new demands on how organizations create and deliver value. In this context, sustainable business models have become increasingly important in shaping the future of business.

This course draws on research on sustainable business model innovation and business model design to examine how organizations can develop and transform business models that combine economic value creation with environmental and social considerations. The course builds on literature on sustainable business model patterns, circular economy strategies, and stakeholder-oriented value creation.

Through analyses of organizations and contemporary cases, the course explores how new ways of organizing value creation, collaboration, and resource use can contribute to more sustainable markets and value chains. Particular attention is given to how design and innovation perspectives can be applied to develop and advance sustainable business models in practice.

Learning outcome

A student, upon completing the course, will have the following overall learning outcomes defined in knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

  • has advanced knowledge of fundamental principles and theories in sustainable business model innovation
  • has knowledge of various methods and tools to analyze and evaluate the sustainability of existing business models
  • has insight into how circular economy and green value chains can be integrated into business models
  • is familiar with global and local sustainability trends and their impact on business

Skills

The student:

  • has the ability to identify and assess sustainable opportunities and challenges in various industries
  • has skills in developing and implementing strategies for sustainable business model innovation
  • has competence in using innovation and technology to promote sustainable solutions
  • has the ability to collaborate with stakeholders and build partnerships to achieve sustainable goals

General Competence

The student:

  • has developed good collaboration skills
  • masters problem-solving and creative skills under uncertain conditions
  • can apply analytical and reflective abilities to work with complex problems and reflect on their actions
  • can communicate and convey information about sustainable business models in an understandable way

  • Learning activities

    Students work actively through the course, as the course does not follow a passive approach of students listening to lectures. Instead they are expected to be actively engaged in learning both in the class and outside of the classroom through group work.

  • Teaching support

    The learning platform Canvas.

    The students will work out and sign a team contract which regulate the team-work.

  • Syllabus

    Selected books and articles on sustainability, sustainable business models and sustainable business model innovation, and design thinking (see canvas).

  • Prerequisites

    INN301 Innovation or INN340 Entrepreneurship in Practice and Theory or INN341 Entrepreneurship in Practice or INN271 Sustainable Entrepreneurship or equivalent.

  • Recommended prerequisites

    None.

  • Assessment method

    Oral exam

    Grade rule: A-F.



    Oral exam Karakterregel: Letter grades

  • About use of AI

  • Examiner scheme

    Two examiners.

  • Mandatory activity

    The course includes mandatory written and oral coursework that must be approved in order for students to be eligible to sit the final examination. In addition, mandatory learning activities requiring physical attendance are included as part of the coursework requirements. All coursework requirements must be approved in order to gain access to the examination.

    If the course is retaken, all mandatory coursework requirements must be completed again.

  • Teaching hours

    The course will be mentoring based, meaning students will mainly be responsible for their own project planning and progression. There will be some seminars and follow up.

  • Preferential right

    Master students in Entrepreneurship and innovation, and Bioeconomy.

  • Reduction of credits

    10 stp. overlap between INN360 with version code V20

  • Admission requirements

    Students in the master programs in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and in Bioeconomy have first priority.

    Students from other programs at NMBU can contact studieveileder-hh@nmbu.no to be put on a waiting list.