MMM162-Innovation Management

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Anlan Chen
Email: a.chen@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is relevant for all innovative and entrepreneurial organisations, including start-ups, SMEs, and large firms. The focus is on internal and open innovation based upon existing systems and knowledge and the import of knowledge through business ecosystems. It intends to demonstrate how innovation can be a managed business process. It is therefore slightly different to modules where the emphasis is upon entrepreneurial opportunities being spotted and acted upon in the external environment.

Managing innovation is not a simple process. If done successfully it can lead to new products and services, new ways of serving existing markets, or new ways of producing products and services. It can result in new ways of configuring how organisations make money - the business model. This module therefore elicits insights from leading experts like Drucker, Christensen, Tidd, Bessant, Pisano to provide a framework for students to analyse and develop innovation strategies across different case study companies, looking at technological innovation, open and ecosystem innovation and the role of employees in enhancing existing systems and processes.

Students will select from a list of companies to create a case study to analyse how these organisations manage innovation and progress to a strategy for enhanced ways of managing.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the distinctive features of management of innovation in a range of organisations.  

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of innovation process and how different organisations deploy different innovation strategies. Students will experience the analysis of an existing innovation process and the conceptual design of a future innovation direction. This provides a foundation for their own innovation contributions in future employment.

Intended learning outcomes: 

Be adept at analysis of a current innovation strategy and have confidence to conceptually design a future innovation strategy for the chosen case company.

Additional outcomes:

Students will work both independently and in groups, leading to the development of time-management and team working skills. They should be able to organise materials and articulate arguments effectively in writing, both under timed conditions and in assessed coursework assignments.

Outline content:

The module discusses the concepts and business process of innovation, and its relationship to enhanced organisational performance and entrepreneurship. Innovation concepts include new product and service development, process innovation, business model innovation, open innovation etc.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module consists of lectures (10x2) and seminars (2x2). The main topics of the syllabus are covered in the lectures. Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with key readings and contribute to the lectures, sharing their ideas and relevant work experience.

Seminars enable students to work in groups and practice their presentation of analysis on existing innovation strategies and processes.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Task 1: Group presentation – industry/sector-level analysis of innovation (20%). Submit week 13 (Teaching week 9).

Task 2: Individual – firm-level analysis and conceptual design of innovation strategy based upon a selected case study (80%)

Submit in week 16 (Teaching week 12).

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Practice presentation based on the  Innovation case analysis (group work)

Penalties for late submission:

Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass mark is 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment is by individual project only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Module text book:

Managing Innovation: integrating technological, market, and organizational change. Tidd, J, and Bessant, J, 4th edition (2009), John Wiley and Sons, Chichester.

Last updated: 18 September 2023