Eight-Step Methodology Empowers Exploratory Circular Value Chain Redesign

Why It Matters

This approach provides a practical framework for educators and design teams to integrate circular economy thinking into real-world product development projects. By focusing on systemic change and value chain redesign, it equips future professionals with the necessary skills to address complex sustainability challenges.

Key Finding

An eight-step educational method effectively teaches circular economy principles by having students redesign product value chains, improving their understanding of complex systems and developing key problem-solving skills.

Key Findings

• The methodology enhances students' understanding of complexity, linearity, and systemic change in value chains.
• It fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills related to circularity.
• The approach supports the integration of Education for Circular Economy into curricula.

Research Evidence

Aim: To develop and evaluate an eight-step educational methodology for teaching circular economy principles through exploratory redesign of product value chains.

Method: Educational methodology development and implementation

Procedure: The methodology was developed through four iterative cycles and applied in a project-centered learning environment. Students engaged in exploratory redesign of a real-world product and its value chain.

Sample Size: 251 students

Context: Higher education, Business Engineering curriculum

Design Principle

Systemic value chain redesign is crucial for effective circular economy implementation.

How to Apply

Use the eight-step methodology as a guide for educational projects or internal design sprints focused on transitioning products and systems towards circularity.

Limitations

The methodology was tested within a specific academic context (Business Engineering) and may require adaptation for different disciplines or professional settings.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: This is a step-by-step guide for students to learn about the circular economy by redesigning a product's entire journey, from making it to how it's used and disposed of, making them better at solving complex problems.

Why This Matters: Understanding circular economy principles and how to redesign value chains is essential for creating sustainable products and businesses in the future.

Critical Thinking: How might the iterative nature of this methodology be adapted to incorporate feedback from industry professionals or end-users during the redesign process?

IA-Ready Paragraph: This research outlines an eight-step methodology for exploratory circular value chain redesign, which can serve as a robust framework for investigating sustainable product development. The approach emphasizes systemic thinking and practical application, fostering critical skills necessary for transitioning towards a circular economy.

Project Tips

• Clearly define the scope of the product and its value chain for redesign.
• Emphasize the systemic nature of circularity, considering all stages and stakeholders.

How to Use in IA

• Reference the methodology as a framework for structuring research into circular design solutions.
• Use the findings to justify the importance of a systemic approach in your design project.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the circular economy principles applied in the redesign.
• Show how the proposed redesign addresses systemic issues within the value chain.

Independent Variable: The eight-step educational methodology

Dependent Variable: Students' understanding of circular economy principles, complexity, linearity, systemic change, and critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Controlled Variables: Academic year, student cohort (BSc. Business Engineering), project-centered learning environment.

Strengths

• Provides a structured and actionable framework for learning about circular economy.
• Focuses on real-world application through product and value chain redesign.

Critical Questions

• To what extent can this methodology be applied to products with highly complex or globalized value chains?
• How can the success of the redesigned circular value chain be quantitatively measured beyond student learning outcomes?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the feasibility of applying this eight-step methodology to redesign the value chain of a specific product relevant to your Extended Essay topic.
• Analyze how the principles of systems thinking and life cycle thinking, as promoted by this methodology, inform your research questions and approach.

Source

The CIRCULAR pathway: a new educational methodology for exploratory circular value chain redesign · Frontiers in Sustainability · 2023 · 10.3389/frsus.2023.1197659