Professional development in Global Value Chains and Life Cycle Assessment : A case study at an Argentinian institute

Sammanfattning: This master thesis seeks to investigate how an Argentinean institute support its members to learn Global Value Chains and Life Cycle Assessment. Two important methodologies that can be used as a basis to form sustainable strategies based on analyses of products or services. A Global Value Chains and Life Cycle Assessment course is held to the institute’s members who wishes to learn them. This case study has analysed the course design, the outcome and the institute’s organizational structure for professional development based on a 15-factor framework and relevant learning theories. Course evaluations, data analysis, group interviews and questionnaires were the research methods used to gather data for this case study. The thesis reveals that several important factors for professional development that facilitate the learning of GVC and LCA can be found at the institute. But, the current course design and the institute’s restriction of access to data prevents good learning outcomes for the course participants. Several suggestions regarding the course design and organisational structure were presented, based on the findings of this study.