Sustainable business strategy
Project paper: “Ullovation and circularity”
With growing concerns about the textile industry's ability to tackle environmental challenges and comply with stricter regulations, the need for circular business models is becoming urgent. This thesis examines the specific challenges of the textile industry, particularly focusing on the Norwegian wool sector and its waste issues.
We used theoretical frameworks on circular business models and worked closely with experts and entrepreneurs in the Norwegian wool industry to understand their current challenges. Our goal was to turn our academic theories into practical solutions to help small and medium-sized wool producers (B2B) in Norway.
In the thesis, we compare realism, the EU's textile strategy, and other relevant frameworks. Using a design thinking approach, we summarize findings from interviews, surveys, and workshops, and analyze the potential for industrial symbiosis in the wool industry. We discuss the success criteria and barriers to creating a circular economy in this sector.
Finally, we present proposals for circular business models and a roadmap for implementing industrial symbiosis based on our findings.
Podcast
Ullovation and circularity,
with Jørgensen & Pedersen
Date: August 2023 – June 2024
Study Programme:
Sustainable Business Strategy, NHH Executive Master 2024, Norges Handelshøyskole
Case/ Client:
Innovating Norwegian Wool, NF&TA, Gisle M. Mardal and Kjersti Kviseth
Industry:
Norwegin textile and wool Industry
Student group:
Cathrine Risa, Executive Manager, Center for Applied Research, NHH - Harald Reyes, Eksport Manager and part of Oleana Management team - Anita Steinstad, Strategic designer and Advisor, Variant - Ingrid Mørk, Leadership, innovation and New ways of working, DFØ - Camilla Block Hellum, Business design/project management, Independent
Professors:
Lars Jacob Tynes Pedersen & Sveinung Jørgensen, Center for sustainable business, Norges Handelshøyskole, NHH.
“Prosjektet “Innovating Norwegian Wool” handler om industrialisering og verdiskaping med utgangspunkt i ull som en lokal, fornybar og sirkulær råvare.
Sentrale funn fra oppgaven ULLINNOVASJON OG SIRKULARITET ble presentert på prosjektkonferansen i Tekstilindustrimuseet på Salhus 6. juni 2024. Dette var til stor inspirasjon for de nærmere 100 deltagende aktørene. Oppgaven bidrar til å belyse behovet for samarbeid gjennom nye industrielle symbioser mellom aktører for å effektivisere verdikjeden.
Videre legger den frem hvordan nye sirkulære forretningsmodeller og digitalisering kan fungere for å optimalisere logistikk og infrastruktur. Oppgaven styrker prosjektet og vil bidra til utforming av nye løsninger som skal testes ut i flere arbeidspakker.”
