Technological Innovation

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• identify the roles of key internal and external stakeholders in facilitating innovation.
• recognise potential challenges to the development and commercialisation of technological innovation;
• evaluate appropriate actions to successfully manage the innovation process;
• understand appropriate theoretical concepts, models, tools and techniques which explain technological innovation;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• use a wide range of information sources requiring the development of bibliographic skills;
• self-manage the development of learning and study skills, both individually and as part of a collaborative learning group;
• plan and control effectively for successful completion of a personal and group workload;
• communicate effectively, in both oral and written form, using and justifying argument within reports, presentations and debates.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the internal and external barriers that can act as obstacles, and eventually failure.
• national and global opportunities for technology-driven innovation and the unique characteristics of different economies and societies;
• the circumstances and reasons why companies are interested in technological innovation;
• the strategies and organisational practices used by businesses to develop, diffuse and protect technological innovation;

The topics covered in this module will include:

• How technological innovation is defined, measured and its importance to the business, stakeholders and the wider economy and society;
• How to identify and respond to key innovation dilemmas, such as placing emphasis on technologies or markets, products or processes, radical or incremental innovations, and the impact on broader business model;
• The recognition and exploitation of relevant sources of information for innovation;
• Key features and models in the analysis of innovation diffusion;
• Identifying relevant strategies to protect an organisation’s inventions, such as patents, trademark, secrecy;
• The recognition, planning and evaluation of appropriate strategies which support technological innovation;
• Internal and external obstacles to innovation activity, e.g. lack of trained personnel, financial constraints and market barriers;
• Strategies and practices to manage the risks associated with barriers to innovation;
• How different characteristics of businesses affect the failure or success of innovation projects.

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Interactive case studies
• Problem-solving activities
• Directed reading
• Private/guided study

Learning activities include:

• Introductory lectures
• An assignment (individual written coursework to deepen learning in a specific topic of the module chosen by you)
• Case study / problem solving activities
• In class debate and discussion
• Private study
• Use of video and online materials

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

In-class activities

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: you will received feedback during the classes.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.