MC1 - Introduction to Digital Circular Economy

Master the strategic, technological, and governance foundations of the Digital Circular Economy.

Credits

8 ECTS

Semester

1 Semester

Delivery

Online

Duration

13 weeks

Language

English
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About This Course

This is a first-semester course in the MBA in Digital Deep Tech Driven Circular Economy
MC1 is the foundational course of the MBA in Digital Deep Tech Driven Circular Economy. It equips future leaders with the strategic, technological, and governance capabilities required to drive circular transformation in complex organisational environments. Students develop the capability to lead the transition from linear production systems to digitally enabled circular ecosystems. The course integrates business strategy, digital technologies (IoT, AI, Big Data, Digital Product Passports), public policy, and sustainability governance. Through industrial cases, multi-level frameworks (nano–meta), and systems thinking approaches, participants develop the capacity to design, evaluate, and lead data-driven circular initiatives across sectors — while addressing ethical, ecological, and regulatory challenges.

What You Will Learn


Circular Economy Foundations

  • Evolution and theoretical frameworks
  • Multi-level circularity (nano to meta)
  • Political, governance, and justice dimensions


Digital Enablers of Circularity

  • IoT, AI, Big Data in operational systems
  • Circularity metrics and monitoring frameworks
  • Digital Product Passports and data valorisation


Responsible Circular Leadership

  • GDPR and digital governance
  • Societal readiness assessment
  • Ethical and ecological decision-making

Your 13-Week Journey

Designed as a progressive learning path from foundations to strategic leadership.
Here’s how your learning unfolds

Week 1 – Circular Economy Foundations

Principles, history, business models, and frameworks positioning circular economy as a driver of sustainable development.

Week 2 – Circularity Across Scales

How circular practices operate from products and firms to regions, ecosystems, and meta-level systems.

Week 3 – Politics and Society

Power, governance, inequality, and justice dimensions shaping circular economy transitions.

Week 4 – IoT for Circular Systems

Using connected technologies to enable tracking, efficiency, and data-driven circular business models.

Week 5 – Resource Optimisation in Ecosystems

Systems thinking approaches to waste prevention, mitigation, and resource-nexus optimisation.

Week 6 – Circular Transitions in Key Sectors

Industrial case studies and societal readiness levels across regions and sectors.

Week 7 – Circular Economy Metrics

Monitoring and assessment frameworks for measuring circular performance at micro, meso, and macro levels.

Week 8 – Digital Technologies for Circular Transition

Applying Big Data, IoT, and AI to operational decision-making and sustainability challenges.

Week 9 – Data Valorisation for Circularity

Enterprise and supply-chain data management, including Digital Product Passports.

Week 10 – Circularity Readiness Assessment

Using digital tools to evaluate industrial readiness and support circular transformation.

Week 11 – GDPR and Data Protection

Privacy principles, compliance obligations, and risk management in digital circular systems.

Week 12 – Future Circular Jobs and Practices

Exploring emerging roles and work practices through speculative design scenarios.

Week 13 – Ecological Thought and Relational Circularity

Rethinking circular economy beyond anthropocentrism through ecological and relational perspectives.


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Skills You Will Gain

Systems & Circular Economy Thinking

  • Applying systems thinking to circular ecosystems
  • Identifying resource optimisation opportunities
  • Analysing circular transitions across industries

Digital Foundations for Circular Innovation

  • Understanding the role of IoT, AI, and data in circular systems
  • Using digital tools to support circular business models
  • Evaluating data-driven approaches to sustainability

Strategic & Ethical Decision-Making

  • Designing strategies for circular economy transitions
  • Assessing societal and environmental impacts of digital systems
  • Applying responsible data governance and GDPR principles

Continue Your Journey