ASQ Fontys

Sessie 6: Verduurzamen Maakindustrie

Transition Paths for enhanced company sustainability

Session leaders: Khalid Raihan, Peter Hatzfeld & Devrim Eskiyerli

Introduction

Our topic was how can we combine circularity and digitalisation to reach circular digitalisation. Digitalisation facilitates circularity and in our presentation we have briefly outlined various options of how to do it. The session leaders are connected to the lectoraat Business Innovation.

Download the presentation via this link.

Summary

Companies we have talked to, have each made an attempt towards becoming circular. They have not made the attempt yet to use digitalisation to enable circularity. While some companies are at the more advanced stages of circularity, some are just beginning with an internal scan. The companies see circularity as a part of their value proposition and embrace it as a part of it. They are making the transition to becoming circular because of their customer or supplier requests. The companies see transition to circularity as an investment and not as a cost, although initial cost outlay can be deterrent. The biggest challenges they have is the challenge of “where to start” and “finding the manpower” to do it. They might be interested in cooperating with Fontys to get an understanding of where to start.

What are the common issues companies come across in terms of transition towards sustainability?

Policy push

Transitioning between business maturity levels

Lack of understanding of the benefit of sustainable business transition.

What is stopping companies from taking steps towards sustainability?

Knowledge gap

Lack of visibility on the Economic gain

Conclusion

The participants did not yet see a close connection between digitalisation and circularity. In so far our session was an eye opener for them. They got the idea that we could help them getting started. We now have a better understanding where they are currently standing in their considerations about circularity.

For companies:

- Possibility to collaborate with different knowledge centers.

For us (Lectoraat Business Innovation):

- Gaining first hand knowledge on the industry and aligning our research charter.