N_UP Sustainable business

University of Finance and Administration
Summer 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Lukáš Blažek, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Lukáš Blažek, Ph.D.
Department of Economics and Management – Departments – University of Finance and Administration
Contact Person: Mgr. Markéta Koliášová
Timetable of Seminar Groups
N_UP/pEKKV: each odd Tuesday 17:30–18:14 KV205, each odd Tuesday 18:15–19:00 KV205, each odd Tuesday 19:15–19:59 KV205, each odd Tuesday 20:00–20:45 KV205, except Tue 10. 3. ; and Tue 21. 4. 14:00–15:30 KV205, 15:45–17:15 KV205, L. Blažek
N_UP/vEKPH: Fri 6. 2. 17:30–19:00 E230, 19:15–20:45 E230, Fri 6. 3. 17:30–19:00 E230, 19:15–20:45 E230, Fri 20. 3. 17:30–19:00 E230, 19:15–20:45 E230, L. Blažek
Prerequisites
This course has no prerequisites.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
By studying this subject, you will get the opportunity to get acquainted with a newly growing area of the economy, which can significantly solve the current problems of today's society. These are Sustainable Business, Circular and Shared Economy. After completing the course, you will master the implementation of these areas into corporate cultures and set up new business models.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes After successfully completing the course, the student will: • understand the principles of sustainable business, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG, • explain the differences between linear and circular economy and the principles of the sharing economy, • characterize the main technologies of renewable energy sources and their importance for business, • apply methods and tools of the circular economy (LCA, certification, reporting), • analyze the environmental and social impacts of business activities and their influence on business strategies, • propose measures to reduce the carbon footprint and increase the energy efficiency of the company, • evaluate the benefits and risks associated with the sharing economy in a specific sector, • identify manifestations of greenwashing and assess their impact on the reputation of the company, • formulate a sustainable business strategy or project with regard to ESG criteria, • present and defend proposed solutions in a team using modern tools and case studies.
Syllabus
Course syllabus: Lectures 1. Principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR, ESG) 2. From linear to circular economy: basic concepts and transition 3. Methods and tools of circular economy (LCA, certification, reporting) 4. Ecodesign, waste management and environmental technologies 5. Renewable energy sources: technology, legislation and economics 6. Energy management and reducing the carbon footprint in companies 7. Shared economy: models, opportunities and risks 8. Trends in the circular and shared economy (digital platforms, collaborative consumption) 9. Implementation of circular and shared principles in business practice 10. Impact of circular and shared economy on business models and strategies 11. Sustainable business and competitive advantage (best practice, examples from practice) 12. Future challenges: innovation, greenwashing and transformation of the global economy
Literature
    required literature
  • Kislingerová Eva a kol. Cirkulární ekonomie a ekonomika - Společenské paradigma, postavení, budoucnost a praktické souvislosti, 1. vyd. Praha: Grada, 2021, ISBN 978-80-271-3230-0
  • Kislingerová Eva a kol. Cirkulární ekonomie a ekonomika 2 - Státy, podniky a lidé na cestě do doby postfosilní , 1. vyd. Praha: Grada, 2023, ISBN 978-80-271-2932-4
  • • Kislingerová Eva a kol. Cirkulární ekonomie a ekonomika 3. Cirkularita v době energetické a bezpečnostní krize, Praha: Grada, 2024, ISBN 978-80-247-0809-6
    recommended literature
  • Trevisan, A. H. (2025). Enhancing circular economy education and training for the transition. Journal of Cleaner Production, 454, 150834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.150834
  • Christophers, B. (2024). The price is wrong: Why capitalism won’t save the planet. London: Verso. Deloitte. (2023). To shift to a circular economy, act, advocate, advance. WSJ Sustainable Business. https://deloitte.wsj.com/sustainable-business/to-shift-t
  • Technoserve. (2023). Inclusive loops: The crucial role of social enterprises in the circular economy. Washington, DC: Technoserve. https://www.technoserve.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Inclusive-Loops-Social-Enterprises-in-the-Circular-Economy-Report.pd
  • Fthenakis, V. (Ed.). (2025). Energy and climate change: Our new future. Cham: Springer Nature. International Energy Agency. (2023). Energy technology perspectives 2023. Paris: IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-technology-perspectives-2023
  • Bragelien, J. J. (2023). Exploring a project introducing circular economy: Experiential learning and sustainable value creation. Procedia Computer Science, 217, 1651–1658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2022.12.418
  • Trigkas, M. (2025). Sharing economy as part of the circular economy: Assessing consumer perceptions. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-025-00600-9
Teaching methods
Teaching methods The teaching will be conducted in the form of lectures, which will provide a theoretical framework and basic orientation in the issues of sustainable business, circular and shared economy and renewable energy sources. The lectures will be supplemented by the use of modern methods supported by technology, which aim to increase interactivity, student motivation and their ability to apply the acquired knowledge in practice. Deepening knowledge and connecting theory with practice will be ensured through multimedia resources, in particular: • video materials: o Ellen MacArthur Foundation – official YouTube channel with videos on the principles and application of the circular economy in various sectors: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQAC2otE5_agzHZPnk3mE5w o Circular Economy Show – playlist with a series of videos focused on discussions and examples of good practice in the field of the circular economy: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXT_ozykGVamfHt9M5onpsvYuh1qslWtp • podcasts: o Love Zero Waste Podcast – focused on creating a zero waste society through interviews with experts and activists: https://www.thegoodtribe.com/love-zero-waste o Zero Waste Life Hacks Podcast – with practical solutions for everyday life aimed at minimizing waste: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zero-waste-life-hackspodcast/id1429876211 The teaching will be further enriched with modern interactive elements: • discussions and moderated debates on current topics (e.g. greenwashing, use of renewable energy, sharing economy in practice), • case studies of selected companies that have implemented sustainability principles, • group projects focused on designing a sustainable strategy or model for a business or community initiative, • simulations and role plays (e.g. stakeholder dialogue in the implementation of ESG principles), • online tests and quizzes to verify ongoing understanding of the material, • use of digital tools (Mentimeter, Padlet, MS Teams/Zoom) to increase student participation.
Assessment methods
The subject ends with a credit and an exam. Full-time study: The awarding of credit is tied to the fulfillment of the obligation of active attendance of min. 75%, active approach to case studies and food for thought Exam - oral: relevant discussion of the exam paper, case studies solved during the course of the lesson in connection with the theoretical knowledge in the given issue. The exam will only be possible after a credit has been awarded, which will be entered by the training teacher in the student's notebook. Combined studies: The granting of credit is tied to the fulfillment of the obligation of active attendance in min. in the range of 50% on guided consultations, active participation in the course of teaching, discussion and argumentation.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2024, Summer 2025, Summer 2027.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Summer 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.vsfs.cz/course/vsfs/summer2026/N_UP