Overview and aims
- To analyse the product development process and the parts played by design and creativity within it
- To explore contemporary developments in innovation and how these shape the innovation process
- To examine the complex and multi-faceted nature of innovation management, including the development of internal capability and external linkages
- To evaluate the strategic dimension to innovation and the nature and applicability of a range of innovation strategies
Module content
- Creativity and innovation as a managed process and a strategic resource
- Theories of innovation: dominant design, S curve, punctuated equilibrium, absorptive capacity
- The process of innovation: technology push, demand pull, coupling, integrated and network models. Networks, clusters and chains. Collaborative forms of innovation
- Managing innovation: creating and developing the innovative organisation (culture/creativity, leadership, behaviour and organisation); networks and linkages (including open innovation); learning and knowledge management
- Strategic dimension to innovation – whether, where and when to innovate. Internal and external routes to innovation. Innovation strategies: First mover, follower, and derivative strategies
Learning outcomes
After studying this module you should be able to:
- demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of technological change and the innovation process
- show critical awareness of new insights into the management of the innovation process that are informed by developments in research within the discipline of innovation
- demonstrate the ability to reflect critically upon the contribution that innovation can make to an organisation’s long term strategy
This module will help you gain the skills and qualities to:
- analyse and evaluate ways to organise, direct and nurture design and creative resources in order to enhance business performance
- select, apply and critically evaluate creative thinking techniques as part of the innovation process