New Perspectives in Science Education

Despite the extensive literature on corporate sustainability and the concept of being sustainable, there is a lack of studies exploring how companies transform themselves to achieve sustainability [1][2][3]. Moreover, while research on eco-friendly and sustainable innovations is increasing, the innovative processes leading organizations to become “green” are still poorly understood [4][5]. In this context, Industrial symbiosis (IS) can be regarded as a novel model of sustainable development and as an excellent analytical tool for evaluating processes transitioning from linear to circular [6]. Therefore, IS practices involve the mutual exchange of waste materials between different companies. Specifically, an Industrial Symbiosis Relationship (ISR) is established when one company utilizes the waste

generated by another as a substitute for production inputs or for generating new products [7][8][9]. To explore how the concept of IS can be taught to students to foster the development of sustainable entrepreneurial skills, the study considers a business game centered around IS, which was developed

as part of the "Circular Sustainable Business Development" (CSBD) course at the University of Twente [10][11][12][13][14]. The game can be taken as a good example for new and flexible learning methodology aimed to create sustainable culture because, during the game, students negotiate

simulated IS agreements, thereby cultivating a comprehensive understanding of the economic and environmental implications of their decisions. The main objective of this study is to investigate how the IS business game can impact students' entrepreneurial skills, particularly their negotiation abilities, holistic vision, and forward-thinking capabilities. This research is crucial because entrepreneurial education needs to adapt to the

changing economic landscape, urging future entrepreneurs to think in a sustainable manner [15][16]. The paper aims to address the need for educational models that prepare the new generation of entrepreneurs not only to apply existing principles and models but also to equip them with the tools to pose new questions and find innovative solutions. To achieve this, students are asked to fulfill a questionnaire before and after the business game to assess their knowledge and proficiency levels in

industrial symbiosis and entrepreneurial thinking. It is anticipated that the business game, as an active training experience, will have a significant impact not only on students' understanding of industrial symbiosis but also on their skills related to entrepreneurial thinking [17][18]. Students are expected to gain a deeper comprehension of IS dynamics and develop more sophisticated negotiation skills [19]. Furthermore, the game is expected

to promote a holistic view of entrepreneurial practices related to the circular economy, encouraging students to consider sustainability aspects in their business decisions. This study thus endeavors to shed light on the transformative potential of experiential learning in shaping a new breed of

entrepreneurs equipped to navigate the complexities of a sustainable business landscape.

 

Keywords: Circular economy; soft skills; sustainable management; entrepreneurship; education

 

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