This module is designed to expose students to contemporary business innovation management issues and the strategic and operational choices that businesses have to make when dealing with them. This module will explore the historical context, current perspective and emerging issues for contemporary businesses, including the challenges, opportunities and threats they face. External speakers will be invited to address the students on specific issues of relevance to their businesses. Indicative topics of the module are:
• Disruption
• The role of innovation in the creation of sustainable business models
• Open and User innovation
• Managing the risks of innovation
• Digital innovation
Total contact hours: 21
Private study hours: 129
Total study hours: 150
Main assessment methods:
Individual Executive Brief – 1500 words (30%)
Individual Essay – 3500 words (70%)
Reassessment method:
100% coursework
Cottrell, S. (2011). Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument. Basingstoke: Palgrave McMillan
Flowers, S., Meyer, M., Kuusisto, J. (2017) Capturing the Innovation Opportunity Space, London: Edward Elgar
Schwab, K (2016) The Fourth Industrial Revolution, London: Portfolio Penguin.
Sheffi, Y. (2005). The Resilient Enterprise: Overcoming Vulnerability for Competitive Advantage. London: MIT Press
Taleb, N. (2010). The Black Swan: The impact of the highly improbable. London: Penguin
Tidd, J., Bessant, J (2013) Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organizational Change, Chichester: John Wiley
Von Hippel, E (2016) Free Innovation, London: MIT Press
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- demonstrate a systematic understanding of key areas of contemporary business and identify emerging issues and trends;
- critically evaluate and apply established techniques of business analysis and enquiry to current and emerging business challenges;
- identify, evaluate and discuss operational, technological, socio-economic and cultural drivers for business change and apply appropriate theories for strategic and operational responses;
- assess the roles of external bodies such as government, trade associations and NGOs in the mitigation of business impacts from external 'shocks' to the socio-economic and technological environments in which businesses operate.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
- demonstrate the initiative and research skills to evaluate and synthesise information at the forefront of the discipline, using material such as primary sources and current research;
- demonstrate an ability to organise and present an analysis as a considered viewpoint, including the ability to apply critical thinking to a range of competing theories and frameworks;
- communicate complex information, ideas and solutions both orally and in writing at an appropriate level for the audience;
- demonstrate initiative and personal responsibility in working and studying independently.
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