Learning Objectives / Competencies:

The aim of Module is to develop, evaluate and communicate an innovative business model idea in the area of business sustainability (Green Economy) and digitization in a way that is appropriate for the target group. The module offers the possibility of a close connection with modules 8 and 10, so that an integrated and interdisciplinary treatment can take place.

For the evaluation of the business model, the students use different types of Minimum Viable Products of the developed business model. In addition to the economic evaluation, the students must also provide a comprehensive ecological analysis of the business model. In particular, the (quantitative) assessment of the ecological potential of the selected business model is central.

Through the tasks of the module, the students learn to carry out a project in the field of Green Economy with a high practical relevance. In the course of the project study, the students apply and deepen their professional and methodological competence already learned during the curriculum in a practical way. In order to ensure continuous learning success, intensive and demand-oriented support is provided in the form of coaching.

After completing the module, students will be able to:

• Professional competence: Students are able to identify and develop innovative sustainable digital products and services based on existing challenges of potential customers. The focus is on a holistic view of the business model.
• Methodological competence:
• Students will be able to independently apply approaches for the creation of Minimum Viable Products.
• Students can independently develop and evaluate business models
• Social competence: 
• Students will be able to adopt the perspectives of different stakeholders in the development of business models and independently conduct target group-specific exchanges with them
• Students can identify needs, wishes and challenges and further develop an artifact based on individual feedback
• Self-competence: Students can independently carry out the project from planning to the development and evaluation of a resilient business model

Contents:

• Creation of innovative sustainable digital products and services
• Identification and delineation of relevant customer segments
• Evaluation of digital business models and products
• Design of sustainable business models
• Development of a business case
• Creation of minimum viable products
• Content-related processing of a project order
• Consulting competencies: structuring, customer management, communication, etc.

Teaching and learning methods:

• Self-guided learning / experiential learning
• Workshops
• Coaching

Value of the grade in the final grade of the master's degree (master's certificate): 6 / 90

Literature:

• Trapp, Caledonia TC, and Dominik K. Kanbach. "Green entrepreneurship and business models: Deriving green technology business model archetypes." Journal of cleaner production 297 (2021): 126694.
• Sommer, Axel. Managing green business model transformations. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.
• Shakeel, Jawaria, et al. "Anatomy of sustainable business model innovation." Journal of cleaner production 261 (2020): 121201.
• Fridgen, G., Kahlen, M., Ketter, W., Rieger, A., & Thimmel, M. (2018). One rate does not fit all: An empirical analysis of electricity tariffs for residential microgrids. Applied energy, 210, 800-814.
• Thimmel, M., Fridgen, G., Keller, R., & Roevekamp, P. (2019). Compensating balancing demand by spatial load migration–The case of geographically distributed data centers. Energy Policy, 132, 1130-1142.
• Goebel, C., Jacobsen, H. A., Del Razo, V., Doblander, C., Rivera, J., Ilg, J., ... & Lässig, J. (2014). Energy informatics: current and future research directions. WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, 56, 31-39.