Sustainable Management: Tools for Tomorrow (TOO4TO)” is a transnational project co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Program. The project aims to increase the skills, competences, and awareness of future managers and employees in the field of available tools and methods to provide sustainable management, and, as a result, support sustainable development in the EU and beyond.
The project has been implemented by four organizations: Gdańsk University of Technology (GUT), Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd. (Turku UAS), Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Global Impact Grid (GIG).
For more information on the TOO4TO project, please visit https://too4to.eu/
TOO4TO MODULES’ RATIONALE
TOO4TO Module on Introduction to Sustainability and Sustainable Management has been developed based on the TOO4TO Training Curriculum.
TOO4TO Training Curriculum comprises an introductory module, Introduction to Sustainability and Sustainable Management, (3 ECTS / 90 hours) and six topic-specific modules (2 ECTS / 60 hours each).
The content of each module is supported with a pool of sources, the TOO4TO Dynamic Material Bank.
The module on Introduction to Sustainability and
Sustainable Management can be taught / studied as a single standing course, and it can also be combined with one of the (or multiple) topic-specific modules for a deeper look into a certain sustainability subject area.
Why Learn About Sustainability and Sustainable Management
Sustainability is not a new concept, but the gravity of global challenges that is experienced today has made sustainability become at the core agenda of all kinds of institutions around the world. Climate crisis, depletion of essential resources, global poverty and rising inequalities require a systemic transformation in how economies, organizations, as well as everyday life are approached and managed.
While there has been intensified research and discussions on sustainable economic theories and sustainable management models and tools in academia; several international initiatives and movements have emerged on a practical level, calling for collaborative action for sustainability.
In this context, it is not anymore a choice, but a must for organizations to integrate sustainability and sustainable management at the core of their everyday functions, not only for their own success in the long term, but also for the survival of the planet.
Therefore, sustainability and sustainable management are getting more and more mainstreamed as learning / teaching
topics in all kinds of disciplines today, and multidisciplinary synergies are used to facilitate the learning and teaching processes.
Content
This module will familiarize students with the new business models and strategies in the context of circular economy, economy and sustainability as well as sustainable production. They will be provided with the materials and tools that can
be used to design, implement and successfully manage the actions taken in the companies, cities and regions to become more sustainable. Students will get the knowledge in the context of circularity and sustainability. They will understand the needs, benefits, opportunities and challenges related to a circular and sustainable economy.
The module is composed of three parts:
Part 1: Introduction to Circular Economy and Its Neighboring Concepts
Part 2: How Can Companies Assess and Implement Circular Economy
Part3: Shared Resources and Cooperation
Learning Objectives
Students will gain knowledge of the circular economy and its neighboring concepts.
Students will be familiarized with materials and techniques on how companies can assess and implement circular economy.
Students will understand the role of cooperation and shared resources in the circular economy.
Students will be able to critically analyze and assess business actions in terms of sustainability and circularity.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to describe and differentiate concepts of linear and circular economies and all aspects related to them. They will understand the benefits of transitioning from a linear to a circular economy.
Students will be able to critically analyze, design, implement and successfully manage the actions taken in the company, for it to become more circular.
Students will be able to form industry/policy recommendations in relation to sustainability and circularity relevant for different types of businesses, countries/regions or cities.
How to Use Module Presentations
This presentation on Circular Economy, Economics & Sustainability, Sustainable Production can be used by teachers as a base to create their own teaching / learning materials for a similar module, and self-learners that want to gain further knowledge and overview on the specific issue of sustainability and sustainable management.
On each slide, there are links to the sources where certain descriptions are taken. In addition, certain grey literature materials (e.g. non-academic articles, blog-posts, short presentation and animation videos) are presented as “short read” / “short video” for further elaboration on the topic, that is easy-to-follow. It is recommended that the users go through those materials, which are complementary to this presentation.
To support deeper teaching / learning process, a list of further study material recommendations (e.g. books, academic articles, video presentations / lectures) is presented after each part and/or on the platform.
