Fieldlab Circular Economy and Business Innovation

No time to waste

Not a day goes by without news on climate change, the impacts it has on our global society, and the need for organisations to adapt and improve their goals and business processes. We have another 12 years to make the necessary changes, and your contribution truly counts. A recent study called Project Draw Dawn (2018) shows 80% of the technological innovations are already invented. 

What is needed is action! And you could be part of it. The economy of take-make-waste is no longer a viable, sustainable business model, and this message is understood by a growing number of companies among which DSM, IKEA, Arend, Dell, Timberland, Nike, Philips and Auping. Businesses are looking to adapt circular economy principles, and a growing number of professionals are needed to make these transitions.

This programme involves a mixture of work forms and tools:

• Project: the fieldwork activities concern all activities associated with the assignment for the client organisation. You work in a group of 4 – 6 students on this project for the duration of the minor.
• Workshops (theoretical part) on the themes business research, circular in action, tools for the circular economy, finance
• Digital learning platform: this is used to stimulate discussions, find up to date material on the circular economy, case studies, and of course all the materials that support the Fieldlab activities.

Type of Assessment

You have to submit (workshop) assignments, multiple choiche exam, a research report with your project group, presentation and you will be evaluated on your collaboration with the coach, company and your team members.

If you have successfully completed this exchange programme then you are able to:

• Explain how the circular economy differs from the linear economy in terms of drivers, frameworks, structures, processes, financing, legislation and obstacles.
• Collect and analyse data and report usable findings in a transparent and systematic fashion (Business research). 
• Create a feasible solution for a Circular Economy (CE) project that incorporates a new perspective, product/service and manages obstacles in order to contribute to a CE transition.
• Evaluate the implications of a CE business model from a financial, environmental and social perspective in general and in particular for the CE project.
• Demonstrate a professional attitude in managing the project deliverables within the project team, the client organisation, the project coach and the other coaches of the Fieldlab team.

Block 1

Block 2

Blocks

Every school year is divided into two semesters. A fall semester (September – December/January) and a spring semester (February – June/July). Both semesters are divided into two blocks. Block 1 and 2 for the fall semester and block 3 and 4 for the spring semester.

After completing your exchange programme at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, you will receive a:

• Transcript of records

For course related questions, please contact Mr. Egbert Langras (content representative/programme coordinator) and Ms. Tineke van der Gaast (International Academic Coordinator, Rotterdam Business School).