Learning Objectives and Competencies
The module provides in-depth knowledge and practice-oriented methods for developing sustainable business models, products, and innovations.
The focus lies on the ability to integrate economic, ecological, and social dimensions of entrepreneurial activity and to design creative, user-centered, and future-oriented solutions using Design Thinking.
After successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
Understand and design sustainable value creation systems
Students are familiar with key concepts such as sustainability management, circular economy, and sustainable value creation and are able to apply them at both the business and product level.
Apply Design Thinking purposefully in innovation management
Students understand and master the phases of Design Thinking (Empathize – Define – Ideate – Prototype – Test) and use them to develop customer-centered and sustainable innovation processes.
Systematically and solution-orientedly address practical problems
Students are able to structure complex entrepreneurial challenges, critically reflect on them, and solve them using interdisciplinary approaches.
Develop and validate sustainable product and business concepts
Students design innovative products and business models, analyze their market potential, and assess their ecological and economic impacts.
Strategically plan, implement, and evaluate innovation processes
Students develop integrated innovation strategies, apply methods for performance measurement (e.g., innovation scorecards), and continuously improve existing processes.
Act creatively, collaboratively, and responsibly
Students promote sustainability awareness, an innovation culture, and interdisciplinary collaboration within organizations.
Content
Strategic Foundations of Sustainable Business and Product Development
Sustainability-oriented business model development
Life cycle thinking and circular economy
Sustainable value proposition design
Innovation Management and Design Thinking
Introduction to Design Thinking and agile innovation methods
Creativity and ideation techniques (e.g., brainstorming, 6-3-5 method, analogy techniques)
Prototyping, testing, and iterative learning
Integration of user and environmental perspectives into the innovation process
Sustainable Product Development Management (PDM)
Methods and tools for sustainable product development
Eco-design, material and energy efficiency
Product life cycle assessments (LCA) and sustainability indicators
Market and Implementation Strategies for Sustainable Innovations
Marketing-oriented innovation management
Market analysis and feasibility studies
Scaling and implementation of sustainable products and services
Applied Methods in Business Administration
Analytical and Quantitative Methods
Marketing feasibility study
Segment potential (SPOT) and segment positioning analysis (SPOS)
Product development process analyses
Innovation scorecards
Qualitative and Creative Methods
Design Thinking workshops and sprints
Exploratory analyses, expert interviews, and focus groups
Creativity techniques and ideation tools
Teaching and Learning Methods
Seminar-style, interactive teaching
Group-based Design Thinking projects
Analysis of real-world cases and practical examples
Development of sustainable product or business concepts
Presentations, peer feedback, and reflection phases
Literature (Selection / Subject to Update During the Course)
- Brown, T. (2019). Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation.
- Liedtka, J., Ogilvie, T. (2011). Designing for Growth: A Design Thinking Toolkit for Managers.
- Osterwalder, A., Pigneur, Y. (2020). The Invincible Company: Business Model Innovation.
- Bocken, N., Short, S., Rana, P., Evans, S. (2014). A Literature and Practice Review of Sustainable Business Model Innovation.
- Schaltegger, S., Hansen, E. G., Lüdeke-Freund, F. (2016). Business Models for Sustainability: Origins, Present Research, and Future Avenues.
Sustainable new Business Development, Product Management and Innovation Management
Sustainable new Business Development, Product Management and Innovation Management