Innovation Management

Code

BUSI4561

School

Business

Level

4

Credits

10

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

The aim of this module is to understand the different factors that support innovative performance within firms. First, we look at innovation from an industrial perspective, showing how innovations of product, process and organisational structure can create and destroy markets. Then we consider innovation within an organisation, showing how innovation can be used to address social, environmental and governance challenges. Finally, we look at innovation from a managerial perspective, highlighting the entrepreneurial practices necessary to sustain innovation. We draw upon live cases of innovation within small, fast-growing firms and learn from approaches used to re-vitalise larger firms. Participants choose which firm they wish to work upon and research the historical innovation performance of that firm and recommend a change programme for senior managers to act upon. This equips participants with the knowledge to manage innovation within their sector of interest and helps build their capability to respond to uncertainty and change.

Target Students

Available for FT MBA students OR students on one of the Executive MBA variants OR MBA Executive Senior Leadership or DBA students.

Classes

• One 4-hour lecture
• One 7-hour lecture

This module is taught through a series of lectures.

Assessment

• 70% Individual Project: 3,000 words. Re-assessment: 3,000 word individual report.
• 30% Group Presentation: 15 mins including Q&A. Re-assessment: 3,000 word individual report.

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding. This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:
•    The dynamics of the global economy and international business &/or an awareness of cultural, legal/regulatory, political, and economic differences across countries &/or an appreciation of management issues from a global perspective.
•    Business innovation - creativity, entrepreneurial - and entrepreneurial behaviour and enterprise development, and the management and exploitation of intellectual property.
•    The importance of sustainability issues, including an understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from the activities of people and organisations on the economic, social and environmental conditions of the future.
•    Leadership and management of people within organisations - leadership, organisational behaviour and motivation.

Intellectual skills. This module develops:
•    Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately
•    Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions: establish criteria, using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; and the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions
•    Using information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative skills

Professional practical skills. This module develops:
•    The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative data, synthesis and reporting
•    Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management. Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting objectives, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring
•    The ability to recognise the need for and initiate change and to be able to manage change

Transferable (key) skills. This module develops:
•    Effective communication: networking, listening, oral and written communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media, including the preparation of business reports
•    High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management; time management; conflict resolution, displaying commercial acumen, the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience
•    Soft skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and in different situations

Conveners

• Professor Simon Mosey