Course Summary

The traditional approach to economic growth granted many parts of the world access to goods and services, which would have been unimaginable just a few centuries ago. However, this has come at a significant environmental and social cost, which could ultimately affect the habitability of our planet. It is therefore crucial to find a solution to this problem, breaking the link between resource use and consumption. The circular economy could be the best way to achieve this goal, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for business.

In this course you’ll learn about the impact the linear economy is having on people, the planet, and modern businesses, and how a circular economy can tackle these issues. You’ll discover how circular business practices create value, how technology enables a circular economy, and ultimately how SAP technology can enable systemic change.

We’re all beginners on this journey and this course probably won’t answer all questions. Rather, it is designed to provide inspiration and a space to explore the challenges you might face in implementing circular business practices. You can apply what you learned to a case study to help you understand how you can use digital technologies to make your own business more circular. You can work on the case study in a virtual team with other learners, where you can make contact with like-minded people and exchange perspectives.

Here is what some participants are saying about the course:

“This course was EXCELLENT - so well worth the time. I learned a ton … I've already recommended it to so many colleagues.” Read the original post

“Great course, inspiring speakers, great concept - my favorite course so far!” Read the original post

“I liked the suggestions of what businesses need to consider and what they could do to adopt circular economy principles.” Read the original post

“Brilliant array of speakers with their innovative solutions on how they are embracing or enabling circular economy in various possible ways!” Read the original post

“By using the examples and hearing about these from the different partners gave another angle of how SAP enables a lot of different businesses.” Read the original post

“I liked that the course addressed many different aspects … from introduction to the concept, to … customers awareness … consumption pattern .., changes in the sustainable investment landscape, to the latest technologies, circular economy models, etc etc. etc.” Read the original post

Course Characteristics

• Starting from: October 4, 2021, 09:00 UTC. (What does this mean?)
• Duration: 5 weeks with video lectures (3-4 hours per week) plus 3 weeks if you participate in the optional teamwork throughout the course
• Assessment: weekly assignments, final exam, (optional) peer-graded teamwork activities
• Final exam: November 10, 2021, 9:00 UTC - November 18, 2021, 9:00 UTC
• Course end: December 2, 2021 (or November 18, 2021, if you don’t participate in the teamwork)
• Course language: English
• How is an openSAP course structured?

Course Content

Week 1: Introduction to the Circular Economy
Week 2: The Circular Butterfly
Week 3: Circular Business Models and Drivers for Change
Week 4: Technology Enablers for Circular Business Models
Week 5: SAP Solutions for the Circular Economy
Week 6: Final Exam
Week 6 - 8: Completion of teamwork activities

Target Audience

• Anyone interested in learning how to deliver new business models for a circular economy
  
• Anyone interested in creating a sustainable business
  
• Specialists in design, product research and development, marketing and sales, sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, operations, supply chain, finance, and IT
  

Course Requirements

There are no prerequisites for participating in this course.

Further Content Experts and Guest Contributors

Mike Barry

Director Mikebarryeco Limited

Stephanie Benedetto

CEO & Co-Founder, Queen of Raw

Paige Cox

SVP, Head of SAP Business Network, SAP

Bridget Croke

Managing Director, Closed Loop Partners

John Gagel

Chief Sustainability Officer, Lexmark

John Holm

Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, PYXERA Global

Peter Hopkinson

Professor of Circular Economy and Co-Director of the Exeter Centre for the Circular Economy at the University of Exeter

Edward Kosec

Senior Solution Advisor, SAP

Andrew Morlet

Chief Executive Officer, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Emily Penn

Ocean Advocate and Skipper, Co-Founder of eXXpedition

Jeffrey Provencal

Founder and Managing Director, rePATRN

Bharani Sankar

Partnerships Lead, Rheaply

Edward Scott

Assistant Harvest Manager, Riverford

Daniel Schmid

Chief Sustainability Officer, SAP

James Veale

Co-founder, GreenToken by SAP

Tensie Whelan

Professor and Director, NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business