Innovation as one of the main sources of sustainable competitive advantage has become an imperative for many companies. The current question is no longer whether or not a company should innovate, but rather how to establish innovation strategies in order to achieve differentiated performance. In this context, it is recognized that innovations are no longer the result of the efforts of a single company.
The concept of Supply Chain Innovation (SCI) addresses chains, which can be understood as networks, and inserted into the innovation ecosystem, as an important source of resources and capabilities to enhance the generation of new joint value, leading to innovation in the chain itself, through it or for its actors. They are therefore now recognized as relevant elements for carrying out, enabling and sustaining innovations generated by the firm.
The Circular Economy and the ICS are concepts that have been gaining relevance in discussions within academia, especially in applied research that reflects on how existing technologies and processes are used in innovative ways. A new way of thinking and doing business where relationships, processes, products and services take into account the responsibility of organizations for the impacts generated by their actions in the market.
By studying the synergy between SCI and CE, we understand that integrating the network of actors around the organization can not only bring solutions to its business, but also to its entire value chain, becoming an Innovation trail with the purpose of promoting CE.
The aim of the module is to enhance participants' knowledge of different chains in order to analyze the transition from linearity to circularity, using the SCI.
Basic knowledge of supply chain innovation, innovation and the circular economy will be based on pre-reading executive articles and on the participants' experience in their organizations and areas of activity.
A teaching case will be used as an exercise to help implement a circular economy transition project using SCI in chains chosen by the participants.