Course Outline 2016
INNOVENT 301: Technology and Innovation for Business Growth
(15 POINTS)
Semester 1 (1163)
Course Prescription
Critically examines the role of innovation and technology for stimulating business growth.
Focuses on how technologies and industries emerge and mature, and develops knowledge
of the ways in which technological and organizational innovations impact firms, industries,
markets and societies. Particular attention is paid to how new and existing organizations
can exploit technological and organizational innovations to create and capture value.
Programme and Course Advice
Prerequisite: INNOVENT 201 or MGMT 202 or MGMT211 or SCIGEN 201 or ENGGEN 302
or 303
Goals of the Course
The course will equip you with an understanding of how organizational and technological
innovations develop, how innovation interplays with a wider range of stakeholders, how
firms create and capture value through innovation and technology, and how entrepreneurs
and managers translate innovation into business growth and wealth. The course will
provide you with ample opportunities to critically engage with scholarly readings and to
equip you with the ability to apply and present theories in practical contexts.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course it is expected that the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of innovation, growth and value
creation.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the challenges related to growing an organization
through innovation.
3. Demonstrate ability to engage with theory in critical manner.
4. Apply different theoretical frameworks to address a real-life organizational issue.
5. Present complex theoretical ideas in a creative and focussed manner.
Content Outline
Lecture
1
2
Topic
Introduction to course: The nature of technology and
innovation.
Information on assessment.
Understanding the concepts of growth and value creation.
3
Differences across industrial sectors and theoretical
perspectives.
Introduction to Case Organisation and Group Assignment
and groups formation.
4
Key innovation dynamics: diffusion, adoption and
collaboration.
Introduction to the final task: Q&A session with the case
organisation*
5
Easter break: no class
6
Capturing value from innovation.
Q&A with the case organisation*
7
Stakeholders and innovation.
Stakeholder mapping and management in Case
Organisation.
Mid-semester break
8
Growth and embeddedness of technology and firms
Intermediate group project presentations (3-5 minutes
pitch and feedback)
9
Creating value collaboratively (1)
Assignment 1 ends
10
Creating value collaboratively (2)
11
Group Assignment: final presentations feedback
12
Final presentations**.
Course review.
Notes:
*timing depends on the availability of the client organisation. The session might be
conducted via Skype, phone or email as necessary.
**depending on the availability of the client organisation AND quality of presentations.
The final order and readings for weekly sessions may change due to case company and
guest speaker availability.
Learning and Teaching
The course uses a mix of in-class discussions, students’ presentations, and group
activities. Large part of the course relies on independent studying and preparation.
The class is structured around a wide range of critical readings that aim to challenge and
expand students’ understanding of the concepts of technology, innovation and growth.
The course invites multi- disciplinary approaches by relating to literature in the areas of
strategy, organizational economics, entrepreneurship, organizational behaviour, and
science-industry linkages.
While the prescribed readings provide an overall structure to the course and basis for
achieving Learning Outcomes 1&2, the nature of the group assignment requires students
to proactively engage with wider range of readings.
The course prepares students to critically engage with theory and to apply theory to
practice. While presenting and actively engaging in discussions forms the core of the
course, students are encouraged to creatively engage with new media and technologies
for final presentations. To get maximum benefit from the course, it is essential that the
students prepare thoroughly before each session. Active participation in in-class activities
and discussions is vital for students’ learning success.
Teaching Staff
Dr Frank Siedlok
Management and International Business
Owen Glenn Building, Room
Email: f.siedlok@auckland.ac.nz
Office: Level 4, Business School
Office hours: by prior appointment
Learning Resources
There is no prescribed textbook for the course. Instead, a selection of readings will be
made accessible on the Course Pages.
Please note that readings might be changed during the course to accommodate the cohort
characteristics and the nature of the final project. All changes will be communicated
theourgh the course
Assessment
Assignment 1: Presentation of a prescribed reading
15%
Based on pre-assigned reading (academic publication, book chapter) student(s) will be
required to prepare a short presentation (10-15 minutes) to introduce the core concepts
to the rest of the class.
The presentation should focus on the most relevant concepts, highlight any critical issues
and invite further discussion from the class. 40% of the assignment mark is based on the
ability to inspire and moderate discussion, handle questions and further engage the class
with the material.
Depending on the number of students, the assignment will be undertaken either
individually or in small groups (2-3).
Assignment 2: Critical analysis of a prescribed reading
20%
This is an individual assignment. Each student will be allocated one piece of reading
(academic publication, book chapter) for critical analysis, and will be required to prepare
a short written analysis (~500-800 words). The analysis should address the following:
-
Provide a brief summary of the key argument(s) of the reading (25%)
-
Provide a brief assessment of key strengths and weaknesses of the reading and the
concepts (25%)
-
Provide a brief analysis of how these concepts impact on business growth and/or
innovation management (50%)
Feedback will be made available to all students. Students will have the opportunity to resubmit their analysis to include points raised during the class discussion. Any grade
increase will be capped at 10%.
Deadlines:
- The assignment needs to be submitted by Monday 4pm preceding the Tuesday session.
- Re-submission needs to be done by 6pm on Wednesday after the session.
All submissions are through Canvas and will automatically be scanned through TurnItIn.
Assignment 3: Company project: presentation (20%) + final report (30%) 50%
Small teams will work on company-provided issue and are expected to address the issue
by utilising relevant innovation theories. Based on their findings, teams will produce a
2500-3000 words report, or alternative output. Alternative output can include a working
prototype of an app, software, product etc when appropriate. In this case a short
explanatory note should be provided alongside the output. Teams should discuss ideas
and the required output with the lecturer.
Teams are also required to prepare 10-15 (absolute maximum) minutes presentation /
pitch in electronic format that would provide an explanation of their ideas. This
presentation can take different forms, from pre-recorded presentation through animation
to interactive multimedia package.
There is a possibility that the company might either attend the session in week 12 for final
presentations or invite all or selected teams to present their ideas in person. Details will
be confirmed during the semester.
Deadlines:
- Interim presentation for the final project: 3-5 minutes summary of the ideas, Tuesday,
week 8.
- Presentation (in electronic form): Friday, week 11 at 5pm.
- Report or alternative output: Wednesday, week 13, 4pm.
All submissions are through Canvas and will automatically be scanned through TurnItIn.
Assignment 4: Participation and class preparedness
15%
Students are expected to actively contribute on regular basis to recognised course
activities, including:
• Contributing to class discussions by asking questions that lead to further discussion
and clarifications on the topic
• Answering questions in a constructive way that lead to further discussion and
clarifications on the topic
• Actively moderating class discussions
• Opening up and constructively contributing to Canvas discussions on the topic
• Providing constrictive summaries on the readings, either during the class or on
Canvas (beyond Assignment 2)
• Sharing additional and relevant scholarly readings or industry-related materials
• Providing constructive peer feedback on presentations, critical analysis or tasks
related to Group Assignment
Participation will be assessed on weekly basis and, when relevant, you will be asked to
assess your contribution.
You are expected to engage with prescribed readings on weekly basis. TWO or more
multiple-choice quizzes (5 questions each) might be administered during the semester to
check the preparedness and the general understanding of the readings for the week. The
quizzes will focus on the basic comprehension of the readings.
Learning
Outcome
1
2
3
4
5
Assignment 1
*
*
*
*
*
Assignment 2
*
*
*
*
Assignment 3
*
*
*
*
*
Assignment 4
*
*
*
Inclusive Learning
You are urged to discuss privately any impairment-related requirements face- to-face
and/or in written form with the course convenor/lecturer and/or tutor.