You have been given five journal articles that explore companies drivers and barriers for implementing circular economy and sustainability

FoMLSS/ LOGISTICS, SUPPLY CHAIN AND TECHNOLOGY

ALL UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES, PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE, OIM4013-B 

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT

SUPPLEMENTARY-INDIVIDUAL CASE STUDY REPORT 

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

This assessment is worth 60% of the overall module assessment. 

COURSEWORK BRIEF

This is an individual coursework, meaning that you are required to work on this assignment individually and submit it independently.

For this assignment you need to complete a number of tasks as explained below:

1.Identify drivers and barriers from literature:

You have been given five journal articles that explore companies drivers and barriers for implementing circular economy and sustainability. Choose two articles of your preference and provide a brief summary of the main drivers and barriers highlighted in these papers with proper referencing. The titles of the five articles are listed below, and you can also find the full papers on the Canvas page for this module. 

Article 1: Hina, M., Chauhan, C., Kaur, P., Kraus, S. and Dhir, A. (2022) Drivers and barriers of circular economy business models: Where we are now, and where we are heading. Journal of Cleaner Production, 333, p.130049.

Article 2: Tura, N., Hanski, J., Ahola, T., Ståhle, M., Piiparinen, S. and Valkokari, P. (2019) Unlocking circular business: A framework of barriers and drivers. Journal of cleaner production, 212, pp.90-98.

Article 3: Govindan, K., & Hasanagic, M. (2018). A systematic review on drivers, barriers, and practices towards circular economy: a supply chain perspective. International Journal of Production Research, 56(1-2), 278-311.

Article 4: Kirchherr, J., Piscicelli, L., Bour, R., Kostense-Smit, E., Muller, J., Huibrechtse-Truijens, A. and Hekkert, M. (2018) Barriers to the circular economy: Evidence from the European Union (EU). Ecological economics, 150, pp.264-272.

Article 5:    Hart, J., Adams, K., Giesekam, J., Tingley, D. D., & Pomponi, F. (2019). Barriers and drivers in a circular economy: the case of the built environment. Procedia Cirp, 80, 619-624.

2.Select a case study company and review its website and documents – this must not be the same company that you have used in your group assessment in this module:

Ensure that the selected company has sustainability initiatives or practices in place and it is not the same as the company you worked on in Semester 1. Examine the case study company`s website, reports, policies, and other relevant documents to understand its current sustainability practices. Look for information on goals, achievements, challenges, and strategies related to sustainability.

3.Apply literature findings to case study company:

Pick one driver and one barrier identified in the literature (Task 1) and explore how this driver and barrier manifest in the specific context of the case study company.

For example:

Suppose your literature review identifies compliance with regulations, Demand from environmentally conscious consumers, and management commitment as key drivers for implementing sustainability practices. Barriers, on the other hand, could include lack of financial incentives, lack of knowledge and skilled experts and lack of infrastructure, technological and practical research and investment.

Now, let`s apply these findings to a case study of a fictional company, ABC electronic Co., which produces household appliances.

• Literature Finding 1: Regulatory Compliance as a Driver

Application to Case Study (ABC electronic Co.): Assess whether the company has implemented measures to comply with environmental regulations and how this has influenced its sustainability practices.

• Literature Finding 2: Lack of Knowledge as a Barrier

Application to Case Study (ABC electronic Co.): Investigate whether ABC electronic Co. faces challenges related to the lack of knowledge among its employees regarding sustainability practices. Explore any training programs or communication strategies the company employs to overcome this barrier.

Note: Please note that the two points above are just examples, and you can focus on any of the drivers and barriers you identify in the literature and apply it to the case study company in your own way. You need the information from Tasks 1 and 2 to be able to write this section.

4.Recommendations for Improvement:

Provide recommendations for the case study company based on the identified drivers and barriers. Offer insights on how the company can enhance its circular economy and sustainability practices and overcome challenges.

5.Skills Reflection: Academic and Professional Growth

Over the course of Semester 2, you have developed a diverse range of skills through this module. These include transferable skills (Weeks 1–4), discipline-specific skills (Weeks 6–9), or those gained from exploring AI, academic integrity, and ESG simulations (Weeks 10–12). 

For your reflection, choose three specific skills and provide a detailed summary of how this module enhanced your understanding and application of these skills. Discuss what you found valuable, how these skills prepare you to address challenges in today’s dynamic world, and how they have supported your academic and professional growth.

The referencing style used at Bradford University is Harvard. You can find guidance on referencing here: Referencing and Plagiarism - Help - University of Bradford. The coursework should be word-processed, using Arial 12-point font and 1.5 line spacing. The word limit is no more than 2,500 words including in-text references/citations but not the references list. Work that is over the stated word length will attract a penalty in proportion to the additional words (e.g., 5%). The word count must be clearly indicated on the front page of the coursework. Submission of the report will be via Canvas. A submission link will be set up within the Assessment folder. Your report should be submitted as a Word document.

All submissions are checked by Turnitin and AI plagiarism detection software. A separate link in Canvas allows you to review your report prior to submission. Please note that there is no permitted Turnitin and AI score percentage. You should focus on ensuring your report meets the university guidelines for referencing and academic integrity: What is plagiarism? - Find out about - University of Bradford.

This module does not authorise the use of AI in the preparation or completion of your assessment work. You are expected to read and write without AI assistance. You should keep copies of all draft work and should be able to provide evidence of your research and writing process if required.

Additional teaching materials on plagiarism and the use of AI can be found on this Canvas page.

If you have any questions about this assignment, please speak with your module leader in good time before the deadline. Please ensure you allow enough time for completing your work. Avoid submitting it very close to the deadline in case of technical issues (e.g., broken Wi-Fi). It is your responsibility to ensure you submit the correct file and on time.

The marking scheme below will be used to grade the work.