Organisations with a strong, consistent and successful focus on managing innovation outperform their competitiors in terms of growth and financial performance. Innovation management requires special knowledge and skills, which are different to standard strategic management theories and practices. This module introduces you to the main concepts and management tools for innovation activities within organisations - from small to large. The module develops a deep understanding of the role and relevance of innovation within all kinds of organisations and you are asked to identify critical issues, skills and knowledge needed to implement innovation activities or projects.
The module will use a combination of learning and teaching strategies, such as case studies and practical examples of latest examples of innovations. Within this module you are required to carry out a practical innovation audit within an established organisation, actively engaged in innovation.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The teaching is based on lectures, interactive workshops, case-studies, and online course materials, which focus on particular aspects of the areas identified above in the curriculum. Specific workshop exercises form part of the assessment. Case studies, short presentations, action learning and role-plays will be used to stimulate debate, to gain understanding of key issues, and to encourage the development of innovation management behaviours and skills.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 33 | |
| Guided independent study | 117 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 150 | |
The assessment consists of three elements:
Individual report, worth 50% of the module mark. Each student is required to produce an individual report to review, analyse and evaluate an innovation within an industry / organisation of their choice. Report length: approximately 1,500 words.
Group report, worth 40% of the module mark: Students are required to create a group report on innovation activity in an organisation identified by the students from their individual report into an industry innovation. Students are expected to be able to use innovation theory to create a draft discussion guide, demonstrating ability to structure suitable questions for use in their interviews (approximately 3,500 words).
Group presentation, worth 10% of the module mark: Students are required to make a verbal presentation of their findings in the written group report
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the issues and problems surrounding innovation management | Individual report |
| 2) Critically evaluate skills and knowledge needed for successful innovation activities and practices in organisations | Group report Group presentation |
| 3) Analyse, integrate and adapt innovation management learning into an organisational context | Individual report Group report Group presentation |
| 4) Operate in fast changing environments and cope with uncertainty and complexity | Group report Group presentation |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Individual report | Coursework 1 | 50% |
| Group report | Coursework 1 | 40% |
| Group presentation | Practical exam | 10% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Bessant, J. and Tidd, J. Managing Innovation, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester
Drucker, P.R. (2002) The Discipline of Innovation, Harvard Business Review, 80(8), 95-103
Stevenson, H. H. and Gumpert, D. E. (1985) 'The Heart of Entrepreneurship', Harvard Business Review, 63, 85 - 94
Stevenson, H. H. and Jarillo, J. C. (1990) 'A Paradigm of Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial Management', Strategic Management Journal: Special Edition Corporate Entrepreneurship, Vol. 11, pp 17-27