Syllabus academic year 2009/2010
(Created 2009-08-11.)
INTRODUCTION TO INNOVATION MANAGEMENTINN001

Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Level: G1 (First level). Language of instruction: The course might be given in English. Alternative for: E2. Optional for: C4, D4, F4, I4, M4, N4, Pi4. Course coordinator: Emelie Stenborg, emelie.stenborg@fpi.lu.se, CIRCLE. Prerequisites: 90 university credits. The course might be cancelled if the numer of applicants is less than 15. Assessment: Weekly written assignment in preparation for seminars, formal presentations at seminars and home exam. Parts: 2. Home page: http://www.circle.lu.se/.

Aim
The undergraduate course Introduction to Innovation Management aims (1) to provide students with fundamental knowledge of the phenomenon of innovation and innovation processes in capitalist economies from the perspective of firms and industries, and (2) to enable students to use basic theoretical tools that help analyse and manage real-world processes of innovation. Moreover, the course aims (3) to enhance students’ appreciation of the importance of understanding innovation-related issues for the development of businesses, industries, countries and citizens.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

have a critical comprehension of

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Contents
The course addresses the challenges firms face as they seek to manage innovation and translate technological, market related, economic, institutional or organizational opportunities into competitive advantage in the innovation of products (goods and services) and processes. In order to face such challenges the firm needs a solid understanding of the dynamic character of the innovation process. Based on a view of innovation as a non-linear, evolutionary process, the course presents the definition of innovation and its different types. An understanding of technological paradigms and path dependency will form the basis for an analysis of the firm’s resource needs and the process of resource mobilization. In this context the concept of innovation systems is introduced. The collective character of the innovation process is further stressed in a discussion of how firms can learn through collaboration. Finally, the course stresses that the firm needs to have routines to manage the innovation process and gives examples of those, as well as discussing particularities for the knowledge economy..

The course builds on a teaching model where each week concentrates on a specific theme within the overall field of innovation management. Each week’s theme is introduced through two lectures, which are followed by a seminar discussion in which the focus is on specific cases to which the theoretical concepts introduced in the lecture are applied. This means that much of the course work involves interactive participation of students in discussions, which are prepared through the reading of selected texts that deal with the theme of the week. Students are expected to carefully read the literature in advance and be prepared to pose questions and discuss the text. In some instances students will prepare and give presentations that will initiate critical and reflective group discussions. At the same time, individual work is emphasised through in particular the final essay.

Literature
Tidd, J., Bessant, J. and Pavitt, K. Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, Hoboken: Wiley, 2005

Parts

Code: 0109. Name: Home Examination.
Higher education credits: 5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: The requirements for pass on the home exam is that the aims of the course are fullfilled. Contents: The home exam includes questions related to the course literature and lectures and a separate essay.

Code: 0209. Name: Assignments for Seminars.
Higher education credits: 2,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Students should hand in wirtten assignments and participate at seminars.