MANAGING DIGITAL INNOVATION - 2026/7

Module Overview

The need to enhance organizational skills to innovate has grown significantly as different kinds of digital technologies have diffused across industries. Technologies such as based on  artificial intelligence (AI) create opportunities to exploit but also threaten business models and market leadership of established companies. This module will look at how companies manage innovation and the use of digital technologies to innovate their products, services and processes. In doing so, it will outline the organisational skills needed to manage digital innovations and provide students with a deep understanding of innovation theories and frameworks and their practical application. Throughout the module students will also gain a detailed understanding of the growing role of the innovation manager within firms facilitating both the design of the innovation strategy and the long-term vision of digital technologies. The overall set of skills gained throughout the module will also provide students with opportunities to consider career paths in different roles linked to the management of innovation.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

STORNELLI Aldo (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

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

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Innovation theories and models

Managing digital innovation projects

Application of emerging digital technologies 

Organisational characteristics for digital innovation

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with both formative and summative assessment. A variety of forms of peer and instructor formative feedback will be given during and following class-based activities. 

There are two categories of summative assessment: 

Assignment 1. Individual Report (addresses LO 1,2,3,4)

Assignment 2. Individual Reflective log (addresses LO 1,2, 3)

Formative Assessment and feedback:

Students will receive ongoing feedback and support throughout the module, for both individual assignments during the progression of the course, from verbal feedback of the instructor and inputs to class discussions. Formative feedback will be given for the development of the individual report to support the understanding and application of innovation theories and models. Similarly, formative feedback will be given for the individual reflective log coursework to support the understanding of potential career paths for students with relation to the innovation topics explored. 

The relative weightings allocated are proportionate to the workload expected for each assessment. 

Module aims

• Introduce and reinforce theory and concepts for Innovation, Digital Innovation, and Innovation Management
• Apply innovation management knowledge through case studies and scenarios to address real-world business challenges
• Develop an understanding of the needed organisational characteristics to manage digital innovation within firms

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The module aims to develop the students' ability to apply innovation theories to real-world digital innovation challenges through active, case-based learning. It combines lectures, group discussion and business case analysis of innovation practices in the digital era across enterprises of different sizes (start-ups, SMEs, large firms) and in different sectors of the economy. In addition to literature and research studies, the module will emphasise case studies and examples of innovation management practices. Students will be given formative feedback on their assignments to support the application of key topics. The learning and teaching methods may include: 

Lectures, seminars, class discussions and debates 

Cases and practical examples  

Multimedia resources (e.g., audio podcasts) 

Individual work 

Group discussions and debates 

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: MAN3200

Other information

The Discipline of Entrepreneurship and Innovation/is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

The module supports development of the following pillars for learning as follows:  

Disciplinary knowledge: The module builds on disciplinary knowledge in the field of digital innovation management through diverse range of innovation theories and frameworks. Throughout the module students will also be provided with knowledge related to research from staff within different innovation management topics.  

Digital Capabilities: The module teaches students about digital technologies and innovation within organisations. This builds on the understanding of the needed capabilities to benefit from digital technologies and manage digital transformation projects.

Employability: The module is an excellent preparation for students who aim to gain skills in innovation management. Throughout the module, students will experience the skills needed to be an innovation manager and how this may apply to their career pathway.

Global and cultural capabilities: In line with the spirit of the programme, we prepare our students to work in a multicultural global working environment. Both staff and students on this module come from diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. Students in this module will develop competencies to engage effectively with people from different backgrounds in ways that respect the interests of cultural groups and individual rights.

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 2026/7 academic year.