Teaching the “10 Rs” of circular economy in technological-level undergraduate courses offered in Brazil

An exploratory analysis via fuzzy Topsis class

Bibliographic Data

ID21720799
AuthorsRicardo Favaro (State University of Campinas School of Mechanical Engineering, , Campinas), Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes De Moraes (0000-0001-5238-0314, State University of Campinas School of Applied Sciences, , Limeira, and School of Management Sciences, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa), Tiago Fonseca Albuquerque Cavalcanti Sigahi (0000-0002-2595-5220, Universidade Federal de São Carlos Department of Production Engineering, , Sorocaba, and Department of Production Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil), Jefferson De Souza Pinto (0000-0002-8065-3938, Federal Institute of Education Science and Technology of São Paulo , Bragança Paulista, and School of Mechanical Engineering, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil), Izabela Simon Rampasso (0000-0003-1633-6628, Universidad Católica del Norte Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial, , Antofagasta), Suzana Regina Moro (0000-0002-7096-9488, State University of Campinas School of Mechanical Engineering, , Campinas), Rosley Anholon (0000-0003-3163-6119, State University of Campinas School of Mechanical Engineering, , Campinas)
Year2025
Volume26
Issue7
Pages1711-1727
Publication date2025-10-29
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1467-6370 • E-ISSN: 1758-6739
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/ijshe-03-2024-0218
OpenAlexW4404547853
LanguageEN
References cited31

Purpose This study aims to provide an analysis of teaching the “10 Rs” – Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Remodel, Remanufacture, Reuse, Recycle and Recover energy, in technological-level undergraduate courses offered in Brazil. Technological undergraduate courses are more dynamic and pragmatic than bachelor’s degrees and aim to meet market demand. Design/methodology/approach The study collected data from 39 educators who know the reality of technological-level undergraduate courses in Brazil. The data were analyzed using the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution class technique. Findings The main findings of the research show potential for improvement in teaching all the “Rs” analyzed when considering technological-level undergraduate courses. Refuse, Restore and Recover energy are the most critical when considering how they should be taught in undergraduate technology courses in Brazil. Originality/value The paper’s originality lies in a unique empirical analysis of the circular economy – which is increasingly emerging as an intriguing approach to seeking sustainability in production chains – and the new generation of professionals in technological undergraduate courses who need to be educated and aligned with these concepts. The results can improve the curriculum, syllabus, course objectives and learning outcomes, upgrading the courses’ pedagogical projects

Biology · Circular economy · Data science · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental economics · Exploratory analysis · Exploratory research · Fuzzy logic · Higher education · Mathematics education · Operations research · Social science · Sociology · Sustainability · TOPSIS · Computer Science · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development · Mathematics · Recycling and Waste Management Techniques · Sustainable Supply Chain Management · Artificial Intelligence · Ecology

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