Marketing for Sustainable Development in Fibre and Food Systems
Course description
This is an advanced marketing course for sustainable development. The course will enable the student to analyze key strategic challenges in the food system and other bio-based sectors for developing successful business and organizational and marketing strategy, based on an understanding of economic, social, and environmental value dimensions.
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Entry Requirements
- 30 credits Economics
- 30 credits Forestry science
- English 6
Or
Knowedge corresponding to 180 crecits
- English 6
Course facts
BM0005, Marketing for Sustainable Development in Fibre and Food Systems, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus
Syllabus
Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2024-12-10
Valid from : Autumn semester 2026 (2026-08-31)
Level
Second cycle (A1N)
Main field of study
Bioeconomy management
Grading Scale
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.
Course language
English
Entry Requirements
- 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.
Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course
- Approved written exam - Approved turn-in assignments - Completed mandatory elements
Responsible Department/Equivalent
Department of forest bioeconomy and technology
Supplementary information
Included in program
- Forest Science - Master's Programme
- Forest Bioeconomy (MSc)
- The Master's Programme Sustainable Food Systems
Module set
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Individual performance (qvizz and seminars) | 7.5 | 0001 |
| Group project and active attendance at external lecturers contributions | 7.5 | 0002 |
The Course Replaces
FÖ0440, BM0003
Other 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.