Business Strategy and Operations in a Biobased Economy from edX

“Sustainable growth business models are the beginning of a solution — they aim to optimize the use of resources and fossil energy, and to reduce waste flows and emissions (eco- efficiency). Structuring a (more) circular business model is a logical next step. A circular economy is the logical and more hands-on approach to sustainable thinking and acting. Besides a clear link to cost reduction, the principles of a circular economy have an even stronger link to value creation and innovations at system level". From the document “Circular Economy” of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition.

To contribute to the bio-society in 2050 you should know what a business model of a company in the biobased and circular economy comprise of. Does it always require cross-company collaborative efforts to succeed in this sector? What operational supply chain challenges have to be dealt with to ensure efficient and sustainable production networks? And how can managerial decision-making be supported by quantitative methods?

Join the MOOC Business Strategy and Operations in a Biobased Economy if you want to be able to answer these questions and gain a solid understanding of the business side of the biobased and circular economy.

The course contains two key business perspectives. It starts with relevant strategic management considerations such as the trends impacting the transition of businesses and value chains towards a more circular economy, their multi-stakeholder collaboration, and the development of feasible biobased business models. Then, the course continues with operational considerations, on e.g. supply chain management issues, different types of planning problems that are encountered, and the development of decision support for the design and operations of biobased supply chains.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain the skills on a strategic- and operational level to transform your company’s business model in a conscious, sustainable and profitable one.

Join the MicroMasters Program!

This course is part of the MicroMasters Program Business and Operations for a Circular Bio-Economy

A series of 3 courses and a final capstone project that will provide you with the knowledge and tools to analyse the business and operations side of the switch to biobased products. You will be able to contribute to managerial decision-making, as well as deal with supply chain management and planning.

Explore the other courses in this MicroMasters Program:

You might also like the MicroMasters Program Economies and Policies for a Circular Bio-Economy.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the dynamics in biobased business investments
Creating business strategies in a biobased economy
Understand the supply chain challenges for biobased businesses

Using decision support tools to make better decisions about the short- and long-term plans for your business.
Design and evaluate biobased supply chains using quantitative methods

Understand the dynamics in biobased business investments
Creating business strategies in a biobased economy
Understand the supply chain challenges for biobased businesses
Using decision support tools to make better decisions about the short- and long-term plans for your business.
Design and evaluate biobased supply chains using quantitative methods

Syllabus

Module 1: The Circular Business Strategy

In this module, you will be introduced to the factors affecting the investments and drivers for biobased business, all from a business strategy perspective. This will help you analyse how major innovations in existing industries develop and get accepted.

Module 2: From Creating Opportunities to Solving Challenges

As just like any other business, it is also important to choose the right legal structure in a biobased economy. But what are the key players in biobased supply chains? Let’s learn about organizations and cooperative formats to use in creating new value chains.

Module 3: Supply Chain Operations in a Biobased Economy

Module 3 will help you to translate the business strategy into actual operations by introducing you to the current thinking on supply chains. Here you will understand the complexity of supply chain management and planning, and how reverse flows can be used to create biobased supply chains.

Module 4: Decision Support for Biobased Operations

In module 4, you will learn about how you can use decision support tools to make better decisions about the short- and long-term plans for your business. For instance, the differences in planning at a local, regional, or global level.

Module 5: Integrating Business Strategy and Operations

To conclude the course, we will integrate the business strategy and operation theories seen in the previous modules in a specific case of Poly Lactic Acid (PLA): how can you apply these theories in your own case study?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Geared towards ambitious learners who are looking to lead the transition to sustainable business operations

Taught by reputable instructors with expertise in business strategy, supply chain management, and biobased economy

Provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the biobased and circular economy, equipping learners for success in this growing field

Leverages decision support tools and case studies to enhance practical knowledge and decision-making abilities

Emphasizes cross-company collaboration, highlighting the importance of partnerships in driving innovation and sustainability

May require a background in business management or a related field to fully grasp the concepts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Business Strategy and Operations in a Biobased Economy with these activities:

Create a Course Outline

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Organize and review key concepts by creating a comprehensive course outline

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Review course syllabus and identify main topics and subtopics
Create a hierarchical outline using headings, subheadings, and bullet points
Add relevant notes, examples, and references to each topic

Review Supply Chain Management Basics

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Help prepare by reviewing core supply chain management concepts for a deeper understanding when taking the course

Browse courses on Supply Chain Management

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Revisit fundamental definitions and concepts of supply chain management
Review different types of supply chains and their characteristics

Discuss Biobased Business Trends and Challenges

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Engaging in discussions with peers will broaden your perspectives and foster a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the biobased business landscape.

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Join or create a study group
Prepare discussion topics
Share insights and experiences

Six other activities

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Analyze Industry Case Studies

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Apply course concepts to real-world scenarios by examining and analyzing industry case studies

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Read and comprehend a case study from the biobased industry
Identify the key challenges and opportunities presented in the case
Propose and evaluate potential solutions or strategies

Explore Biobased Supply Chain Case Studies

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Reviewing case studies will provide you with practical insights into the challenges and best practices of biobased supply chain management.

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Identify relevant case studies
Analyze the supply chain strategies and operations
Evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of the approaches

Case Study: Analyze Biobased Business Models

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Creating a case study will help you apply the concepts of biobased business models to a real-world scenario, enhancing your understanding and analytical skills.

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Identify a biobased business or industry
Research and analyze their business model
Evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement
Develop recommendations for optimizing the business model

Solve Supply Chain Case Studies

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Improve analytical skills and decision-making abilities by practicing with real-world supply chain scenarios

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Study and analyze a given supply chain case study
Identify and define key issues and challenges
Develop and evaluate potential solutions
Present and discuss findings and recommendations
Reflect on the learning outcomes and identify areas for improvement

Solve Biobased Supply Chain Planning Problems

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Solving practice problems will sharpen your decision-making skills and reinforce your understanding of biobased supply chain planning concepts.

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Identify typical supply chain planning problems
Use mathematical or simulation models to solve the problems
Analyze and interpret the results

Develop a Business Proposal for a Biobased Product

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Synthesize course knowledge by creating a comprehensive business proposal for a biobased product

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Identify a market opportunity and define the target market
Research and develop a biobased product concept
Outline the production, distribution, and marketing strategies
Conduct a financial analysis and forecast
Prepare a professional business proposal document

Career center

Learners who complete Business Strategy and Operations in a Biobased Economy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager is in charge of the day-to-day operations of a company. This includes managing production, supply chain, and quality control. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Operations Manager in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in operations management and how to use data and analytics to improve decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Supply Chain Manager

A Supply Chain Manager is responsible for managing the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. This includes planning, organizing, and controlling the movement of materials, inventory, and finished goods. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Supply Chain Manager in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in supply chain management and how to use data and analytics to improve decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst helps businesses improve their operations by analyzing data and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Business Analyst in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in data analysis and how to use data to make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Sustainability Manager

A Sustainability Manager is responsible for developing and implementing sustainability programs for businesses. This includes setting goals, tracking progress, and reporting on results. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Sustainability Manager in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in sustainability and how to use data to track progress and make better decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Consultant

A Consultant provides advice and expertise to businesses on a variety of topics. This includes developing business plans, improving operations, and implementing new technologies. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Consultant in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in consulting and how to use data to provide valuable insights to clients.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and executing projects. This includes developing a project plan, managing the budget, and tracking progress. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Project Manager in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in project management and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. This includes developing marketing strategies, managing marketing budgets, and tracking marketing results. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Marketing Manager in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in marketing and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for managing a team of sales representatives and developing sales strategies. This includes setting sales targets, tracking progress, and providing training. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Sales Manager in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in sales and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for developing and launching new products. This includes conducting market research, developing product specifications, and managing the product lifecycle. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Product Manager in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in product management and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Entrepreneur in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in entrepreneurship and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data. This includes developing data models, identifying trends, and providing insights to businesses. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Data Analyst in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in data analysis and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing financial data and providing recommendations to businesses. This includes developing financial models, forecasting financial performance, and evaluating investment opportunities. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Financial Analyst in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in financial analysis and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Operations Research Analyst

An Operations Research Analyst is responsible for using mathematical models to solve business problems. This includes developing models, analyzing data, and providing recommendations to businesses. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective Operations Research Analyst in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in operations research and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This includes writing code, testing software, and debugging problems. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Software Engineer in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in software development and how to use data to make better decisions.

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Actuary

An Actuary is responsible for assessing risk and uncertainty. This includes developing models, analyzing data, and providing recommendations to businesses. This course may be useful for you if you are interested in a career as an Actuary in a biobased economy by providing you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in this sector. You will also learn about the latest trends in actuarial science and how to use data to make better decisions.

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