Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module builds on the selection of strategies and models which learners may want to use in order to innovate new products and services in their organisations. The module offers It building innovation skills and capabilities by setting up a new venture or by developing and testing innovative ideas in existing companies.

The module brings together insights, concepts and managerial tools from the field of entrepreneurship, strategy and innovation studies. This module links to the strategy module and the overall programme by learning competitive strategies and entrepreneurialism and understand how to challenge strategies and operations in terms of ethics, responsibility, sustainability, resource allocation and business continuity/risk management.

Aims:

We develop theoretical and practical understanding of the function of innovation and the process of new product development from idea to testing and validating new products, processes and organizational routines and by teams, organizations and markets.

Intended learning outcomes:

• Understand the scope and context of strategic change and innovation.


• Understand how to develop and implement strategic innovation within an organisation.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Design and pivot business modelling in your organisations


• Develop new market strategies, changing customer demands and trend analysis


• Set a clear agenda and gain support from key stakeholders


• Undertake research and critically analyse and integrate complex information


• Innovation


• Understand the impact of disruptive technologies (mechanisms that challenge traditional business methods and practices)


• Drivers of change and new ways of working across infrastructure, processes, people and culture, and sustainability


• Initiate and lead change in the organisation


• Create an environment for innovation and creativity, establishing the value of ideas and change initiatives and drive continuous improvement


• Manage partnerships, people and resources effectively and measure outcomes


• Map influencing and negotiating strategies both upwards and outwards


• Act as needed as Sponsor, championing projects and transformation of services across organisational boundaries

Additional outcomes:

The module is an opportunity for students to develop their presentation skills in-class and their ability to design and implement feasibility study by engaging with potential external partners and stakeholders to support development of new products and their testing.  

Outline content:

• Understanding innovation         


• Establishing and forecasting innovation strategy


• Lead users as Innovators. Lean innovation         


• Design thinking


• Open innovation           


• Knowledge management and Financing 

Global context:

The course uses the synergised approach to entrepreneurship and innovation strategy adopted by Henley Business School, University of Reading and Kelley Business School, Indiana University Bloomington.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will consist of face to face sessions (7 hours x 1) and distant learning via Canvas (7 hours x 5). During this time the main topics on the syllabus are covered. Students’ contributions to discussions during these sessions are welcomed in order to promote knowledge exchange of relevant work experiences. 

Face to face sessions will incorporate group work exercise and case studies.  Students are expected to read key references and to do a significant amount of independent research using the Internet, journals, and academic references.

Additional support (6 hrs in total) will be provided to groups of students by the Learning Coach before and after the workshops.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Your individual feasibility study (report) of 3000 words (excluding references) is worth 100% of a final mark. This must focus on explaining the validation tests have you used to prove the feasibility of the idea, or as a proof of concept test (e.g. interview evidence from key stakeholders, surveys, experiments,  other forms of validation) and give justification for why you chose these tests.

Formative assessment methods:

Not applicable.

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 assignment must achieve a minimum mark of 50% to achieve a pass. Assessment brief will be used to apply the assessment criteria for an individual report.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of the same assignment based on formative feedback. One resubmission-allowed, capped at 50%. Resubmission periods will be advised by the Examinations Manager following the relevant Programme Examiner’s Meeting.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

The information contained in this module description does not form any part of a student’s contract.

Last updated: 30 March 2023