Innovation: management and policy

Convenor: Dr Odile Janne
Assessment: This module will be assessed by a 3000 word research project. The coursework deadline is 29th November 2011 (Absolute Cut-Off deadline – 20th December 2011)

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the central issues of managing innovation in firms as well as of technology policy and its implications for firms, competitiveness and economic development in an international context.

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, the student will be able to understand key issues involved in managing innovation as well as the rationale and the implementation of technology and innovation policy.

Content

• The importance of innovation, definitions, theories, main concepts and analytical tools, product and process innovation, the interaction of technology, market and organisations, the innovating firm in its environment, knowledge as a business resource.
• Technology strategy and knowledge management in different industries, technological competencies, strategic alliances, patents and innovation, internationalisation and globalisation of technology, innovation in small firms.
• The economic foundations of technology and innovation policy, innovation policy in a globalising economy, intellectual property rights, innovation promoting agencies.

Background reading

• Fagerberg, J., Mowery D.C. and Nelson, R.R. (eds.) (2005), The Oxford Handbook of Innovation, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Tidd, Joe and John Bessant (2009), Managing Innovation: integrating technological, market and organizational change, 4th Edition, Chichester: John Wiley and Sons.