MG305      Half Unit
Innovation and Technology Management

This information is for the 2023/24 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Jonathan Liebenau MAR.5.30

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Accounting and Finance, BSc in Management, International Exchange (1 Term) and International Exchange (Full Year). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

This course has a limited number of places (it is capped). Students who have this course as a compulsory course are guaranteed a place. Places for all other students are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Course content

The focus of this course is on how innovative technologies are managed and their consequences. It includes technological innovation in areas such as telecoms, hi tech industries, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, space technology, financial technologies. Aspects covered are how new industries are created, how existing industries can be transformed by new technologies, linkages between technological development and the creation of wealth, and implementation success and failure of technological systems. Topics include: technology and entrepreneurship, technology strategy, R&D management, patents and intellectual property, disruptive, radical and incremental innovation, technology policy. Economic, systems, managerial and sociological approaches will be compared using a variety of case studies.

Teaching

Teaching hours in the AT will be commensurate with a usual half unit undergraduate course.

This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term, in line with departmental policy.

Formative coursework

Classes are based around reading and discussing selected journal articles and case studies from the course study pack on Moodle. Formative feedback is provided on class participation.

 

In addition, students will present an essay plan in preparation for the final case-based essay, on which formative feedback will be provided.

Indicative reading

J Howells, The Management of Innovation and Technology, Sage, 2005;

J Fagerberg, D.C. Mowery, and R.R. Nelson (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of innovation (Series Oxford Handbooks in Business and Management), Oxford University Press, 2006;

D MacKenzie, Knowing Machines: Essays on Technical Change, MIT Press, 1998;

M Bauer (Ed), Resistance to New Technology: Nuclear Power Information Technology and Biotechnology, CUP 1995;

M Biagioli (Ed), The Science Studies Reader, Routledge, 1999;

H Collins & T Pinch, The Golem at Large: What you should know about technology, Cambridge University Press, 1998;


D Mowery & N Rosenberg, Paths of Innovation: technological change in 20th century America, Cambridge University Press, 1998;

J McLaughlin, P Rosen, D Skinner & A Webster, Valuing Technology: organisations, culture and change, Routledge, London and New York, 1999; 

Assessment

Essay (90%, 5000 words) in January.
In-class assessment (10%) in the AT.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2022/23: 119

Average class size 2022/23: 15

Capped 2022/23: Yes (120)

Lecture capture used 2022/23: Yes (MT)

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Communication
  • Commercial awareness