INNOVATION MANAGEMENT - 2020/1

Module Overview

Innovation has become a core element of many competitive strategies developed in different industry settings. It is largely recognised that the firm’s capability to embrace innovation and effectively manage it, is critical to business success in several different industries’ contexts. Given its strategic relevance, the module is intended to provide students with 1) the knowledge to understand and 2) the skills to manage innovation at both the strategic and operational levels of the firm.

It particularly provides students with 1) a holistic understanding of the concept of innovation and its relevance to today’s firm competitiveness; 2) the capability to identify the links between the structures and processes which support specific models of innovation; 3) the capability to recognise the opportunities for, and constraints to innovation in specific business contexts and organisational settings; and 4) the capability to develop practical –oriented skills that are crucial to the management of innovation.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

SEARS Jim (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Concept and types of innovation


• Industry context and innovation


• Knowledge management and innovation


• Organising for innovation


• Funding innovation


• Collaborating for innovation


• Failure, risk and measurement in innovation


• Protecting innovation


• Strategic approaches to innovation

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Alternative Assessment Individual assignment (3,000 words)- based on the same designated company used for the first attempt which students are expected to improve by taking into consideration written feedback; Group assignment- based on same assignment for first attempt which students are expected to improve individually in a written assignment of 2000 words;

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to ensure that students demonstrate to have gained knowledge of the relevant theory of innovation management, practical and cognitive skills with regard to their ability to apply the theoretical concepts of innovation management to a given business context and to critically identify potential problems and related management solutions.

The assessment method consists of two pieces of assessment: 1) individual project (3,000 words report) and 2) group assignment. 

The individual project is a report where students should demonstrate the ability to apply the theoretical frameworks of innovation management to a real business context, critically evaluate management issues concerned with the implementation of innovation and identify potential solutions to such management issues. To this end, students should demonstrate the capability of making realistic recommendations which are consistent with the presented evidence and the knowledge of the theory.  The assessment strategy is consistent with the learning outcomes as it enables to assess the K+C+P skills.

The group assignment is either a presentation or a written assignment where students demonstrate insight into a key concept and how to apply it in a commercial context;  In this respect, students should demonstrate critical understanding of the theory, the commercial research process and the commercial context on which it is based such as a corporate environment.  .  The assessment strategy is consistent with the learning outcomes as it enables to assess the K+C+P skills.

Formative assessment and feedback
•Students will receive individual and group feedback during the module from the tutor.

Module aims

• To enable students to develop knowledge of the multi-facet aspects of the concept of innovation and its strategic relevance to the firm's competitive advantage;
• To develop knowledge of the theoretical models of innovation management available to the firm in a given business context;
• To develop critical understanding of the influence of the industry context on firm's capabilities to innovate;
• To develop critical understanding of the issues of knowledge management, funding, collaboration, imitation and risk of failure surrounding innovation;
• To apply the theoretical models of innovation management to real business cases

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to give students the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the relevant theory, management practices and related problems which are pertinent to innovation management.

The teaching and learning methods include the delivery of formal lectures and critical evaluation of specific case studies. Whilst the lectures are mainly designed to illustrate and explain theoretical concepts and models of innovation management, the critical evaluation of business cases illuminates the theoretical concepts and models by class discussion and reference to the theory.

Prior to attending the lecture students are required to undertake the essential reading as recommended accordingly by the lecturer in each teaching week.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM115

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.