20451 - FUNDAMENTALS OF INNOVATION AND INDUSTRIAL CHANGE
Department of Management and Technology
Course taught in English
Go to class group/s: 22
Course Director:
FRANCO MALERBA
FRANCO MALERBA
Mission & Content Summary
MISSION
The course aims to give a broad understanding of the processes and factors driving innovation and industrial change and to provide the tools for an analysis of the relevance and impact of innovation and industrial change for firms, sectors and the economy.
Topics to be discussed include the relationship among innovation, economic growth and economic development; the economics of patents and intellectual property rights; the role of innovation in the dynamics and evolution of industries; the relationships between science and technology; the innovative enterprise; innovative start-ups; public policy with respect to innovation and industrial change; international technological competition; technology, economic development and catch-up.
Some very introductory notions in basic microeconomics and industrial organization are helpful. The class format is a mix of lectures and discussions in class on cases, topics and issues. Students are expected to participate actively in the discussions and to read the assigned material before class. Seminars and student presentations on specific topics are organized during the course.
CONTENT SUMMARY
- Introduction to innovation and industrial change.
- Evolutionary theory of innovation and industrial change.
- The firm: learning, capabilities and innovation.
- Innovation in sectors.
- Innovation and industrial dynamics.
- Models of innovation and industry evolution.
- Demand and innovation.
- Public policy for innovation and industrial change.
- International technological competition.
- Technology, economic development and catch-up.
- Economics of science.
- Diffusion of innovations.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course student will be able to...
- Understand the economic processes of innovation and industrial change.
- Recognize the implications of the use of different sources of knowledge for innovation, in the following areas:
- Organization of firms.
- Industrial dynamics.
- The role of public policy.
- Intellectual property.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course student will be able to...
- Interpret and explain current events concerning innovation at the firm, industry and economic level in the light of different approaches, theories and historical contexts.
- Read and summarize medium-difficulty scientific papers published in academic journals.
- Access and use structured data on surveys on innovation, R&D and patents at the company, sector and economy level.
- Write a report based on individual or group research, documentary sources and statistics.
Teaching methods
- Face-to-face lectures
- Individual assignments
- Group assignments
DETAILS
- Face-to-face lectures.
- Individual/group assignments for oral presentations.
- Group assignments for paper preparation and writing.
Assessment methods
| Continuous assessment | Partial exams | General exam | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
x | x | |
|
x | ||
|
x | ||
|
x |
ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Written exam: 50%
- Group assignment- term paper: 50%
- Active participation to the class is rewarded on top of the marks for the final essay and the term paper.
NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Written exam: 50%
- Individual assignment- term paper: 50%
Teaching materials
ATTENDING AND NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Required readings: readings are posted on Bboard and they are also available from the electronic resources at the Bocconi Library.
- Slides of the lectures. the slides are posted on Bboard after each class.
Last change 25/06/2018 12:37