JSBS5100 SYNTHESIS - System Thinking for a Sustainable and Circular Economy Solutions (4 op)

The course covers the theoretical foundations, applied tools, and experiential practices required to understand and implement Circular Economy (CE) transitions. Content is delivered through gamification, lectures, case discussions, and reflective exercises.

1. Foundations of Circular Economy and Systems Thinking
• Linear vs. circular economic paradigms
• Systems thinking concepts: feedback loops, leverage points, interdependencies
• Historical and philosophical roots of Circular Economy (industrial ecology, regenerative design, cradle-to-cradle)
• Ecological boundaries and socio-economic limits (planetary and societal perspectives)

2. Circular Entrepreneurship and Business Models
• Drivers of Circular Economy transitions (policy, technology, markets, finance)
• Circular entrepreneurship and opportunity recognition
• Circular business models: product-service systems, access-based models, sharing economy
• Role of digital technologies (e.g. data, traceability, scalability) in circular innovation
• Business model design, testing, and peer feedback

3. Design for Circularity and Sustainable Innovation
• Design-for-circularity principles: modularity, disassembly, repairability
• Material circularity and lifecycle extension strategies
• Product and service redesign for reduced environmental impact
• From prototype to market: innovation pathways and ecosystem scaling

4. Stakeholders, Governance, and Collaboration
• Stakeholder theory and network dynamics in circular ecosystems
• Multi-actor collaboration and governance mechanisms
• Policy instruments supporting circular transitions (e.g. regulatory and market-based tools)
• Negotiation and coordination among public, private, and civil-society actors

5. Integration, Leadership, and Transformational Learning
• Simulation-based integration of systems thinking, business models, and governance
• Circular metrics and impact thinking (introductory application)
• Transformational and ethical leadership for sustainability transitions
• Reflective learning and identity formation in the circular transition

6. Applied Output: Circular Action Plan
• Development of an individual Circular Action Plan
• Application of course concepts to real organizational, entrepreneurial, or community contexts
• Reflection on feasibility, impact, and scalability
• Peer and expert feedback during the online concluding session

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will have developed both substantial (content-specific) competencies related to the Circular Economy (CE) and meta-skills essential for transformational sustainability leadership, supported by experiential and gamified learning approaches.

Substantial (Content-Specific) Learning Outcomes

I) Explain and apply systems thinking principles to analyse Circular Economy transitions, including feedback loops, interdependencies, and systemic trade-offs across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, informed by insights gained through Circular Economy board-game and simulation-based learning.
II) Critically evaluate Circular Economy frameworks and paradigms, such as industrial ecology, regenerative design, and lifecycle thinking, and assess their relevance in different organizational and policy contexts using case-based and simulation-supported analysis.
III) Design and assess circular business models, including product-service systems, access-based models, and entrepreneurial start-ups, integrating sustainability, feasibility, and scalability considerations developed through collaborative, game-supported workshops.
IV) Apply design-for-circularity principles, such as modularity, disassembly, material circularity, and lifecycle extension, to redesign products or services for reduced environmental impact, supported by hands-on design exercises and experiential learning activities.
V) Analyse stakeholder ecosystems and governance mechanisms relevant to Circular Economy implementation, including policy instruments, collaborative governance, and multi-actor coordination, drawing on role-play and negotiation simulations that mirror real-world decision-making.
VI) Develop a practical Circular Action Plan, translating theoretical knowledge and simulation-based insights into an actionable initiative (business, institutional, or community-based) aligned with Circular Economy principles and real-world constraints.

Meta-Skills (Transferable and Transformational Skills)

I) Demonstrate systems-level and strategic thinking, integrating multiple perspectives and anticipating long-term implications of sustainability decisions through iterative, game-based and reflective learning processes.
II) Engage in reflective and transformational learning, critically examining personal assumptions, values, and professional roles in sustainability transitions, supported by structured reflection following experiential simulations.
III) Collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams, negotiating diverse interests and co-creating solutions in complex problem settings through team-based games, simulations, and workshops.
IV) Exercise ethical and responsible leadership, recognising trade-offs, power dynamics, and social responsibilities inherent in Circular Economy decision-making, as experienced in simulated governance and policy scenarios.
V) Communicate complex sustainability concepts clearly, using structured argumentation, visual tools, and storytelling to articulate insights gained from simulations and applied projects to academic, professional, and policy audiences.
VI) Demonstrate entrepreneurial and proactive agency, showing initiative, adaptability, and creativity in translating sustainability knowledge and experiential learning into concrete action.

The course is delivered as Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) combining on-site teaching at the University of Jyväskylä with a mandatory online concluding session. Teaching methods include gamification, interactive exercises, workshops, group work, case discussions, and guided reflection. Assessment is based on active participation during the intensive week and the completion of an individual Circular Action Plan (as a final assignment) submitted after the course. The course is conducted in English and is intended primarily for Master’s and Doctoral students, as well as academic staff, from interdisciplinary backgrounds. All teaching materials are provided digitally through the course platform.

The course primarily draws on learning materials developed within the Erasmus+ KODECET project, complemented by selected practice-oriented resources and multimedia content. The emphasis is on applied learning, experiential understanding, and reflection. KODECET-Developed course materials are structured around three KODECET courses, provided as digital coursebooks and teaching resources:

I)Foundations and Catalysts for Circular Economy: Introduces core Circular Economy concepts, systems thinking, feedback loops, and the transition from linear to circular systems. Includes conceptual frameworks, system-mapping tools, and experiential learning exercises.

II) Various Business Models to Implement CE in Different Contexts: Covers circular business model typologies, entrepreneurial opportunity identification, and value creation mechanisms in circular contexts. Includes applied tools for business model design and innovation.

III) Managing Stakeholders for Implementing a Circular Economy: Focuses on stakeholder analysis, collaboration, governance mechanisms, and policy instruments supporting Circular Economy implementation across sectors.

These materials form the primary knowledge base for lectures, workshops, simulations, and assignments. Other learning materials include an interactive Circular Economy board game and simulation tools that support systems understanding, strategic decision-making, and experiential learning. In addition, the course draws on selected case studies from industry, the public sector, and community initiatives to illustrate real-world applications of Circular Economy principles. Workshop templates, guided reflection materials, and action-planning tools developed by the course instructors are used throughout the course to support collaborative work, individual reflection, and the development of the Circular Action Plan as a final assignment.

Multimedia and online resources complement the core materials and include curated YouTube videos and short lectures on Circular Economy, systems thinking, circular design, and sustainability leadership, such as explanatory talks, policy overviews, and practitioner insights. Selected videos and digital resources from international Circular Economy initiatives and innovation platforms are shared through the course learning environment to reinforce key concepts and provide diverse perspectives.