Print Syllabus

Syllabus

BM0005 Marketing for Sustainable Development in Fibre and Food Systems, 15.0 Credits

Marknadsföring för hållbar utveckling i fiber- och livsmedelssystem

Subjects

Bioeconomy management

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1N)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge corresponding to 120 credits


- 30 credits Economics
- 30 credits Forestry science
- English 6

Or

Knowedge corresponding to 180 crecits


- English 6

Objectives

The course focuses on sustainable development in management in biobased industry, focusing on fibre and food industries. It is based on an understanding of value production in terms of financial, environmental, and social dimension (the Triple Bottom Line). After completing the course, the student will be able to:

• describe and argue for relevant marketing theories, in particular those that refer to service, relationships and value;
• demonstrate insight and competence concerning methods and theories as well as their limitations in marketing with regards to sustainable development;
• evaluate academic studies of competitive marketing strategies in relation to the external environment and the organization’s resources. This also include ethical aspects of business development;
• assess and apply different approaches for sustainable business development in marketing;
• apply knowledge about strategy and marketing in a changing environment focusing on innovation and communication; and
• demonstrate a capacity to define and critically review strategy and marketing challenges in the bio-based industries, e.g., the food and forest sector.

Content

What are the grounds for making sustainable choices of biobased materials or products, e.g., food or forest-based products? This course has its roots in the understanding how consumer choices serve as a foundation for corporate management, market development and, ultimately the development of a circular bio-economic system. Lectures, seminars and projects provide a wide range of perspectives on how marketing is used in development of sustainable food systems.

The course serves as an introduction to key marketing concepts and theory: perceived customer value with regards to sustainable development, innovation management, stakeholder theory, social practice theory, relationship marketing, networks and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the equivalent system related concept of "creating shared value" (CSV).

The course also contains an orientation about and application of marketing research methods and marketing planning. This orientation is aimed at creating an epistemological understanding of differences between Product and Service Dominant Logic.

The course is based on lectures, guest lectures, seminars, exercises, and a project all of which offer opportunities to develop an epistemological development and vocabulary. Several of these modules offers training of analytical and evaluative competence. A project also offers opportunities to practice analytical, interpersonal, and rhetorical skills.

Compulsory components in the course are exercises, seminars, guest lectures/study visits and active participation in a project.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

• Approved written exam

• Approved turn-in assignments

• Completed mandatory elements

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Additional information

In order to assimilate the course, marketing knowledge equivalent to at least 5 credits at Bachelor level is recommended.

The course Sustainable marketing in the biobased sector (SG0275, including earlier versions) should not be included in a degree together with this course.

SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001 and sustainability certified in accordance with PRME. A large part of our courses cover knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the triple bottom line, environmental social and financial value creation. To further strengthen this, we have specific sustainability goals for the education. Students are welcome to suggest actions regarding the course’s content and implementation that lead to sustainability improvements for the environment. For more information, see webpage [www.slu.se]().

Responsible department

Department of Forest Economics