Table of Contents
Course lecturers: ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Description of the course:............................................................................................................................. 2
Examination .................................................................................................................................................. 2
The seminars ................................................................................................................................................. 3
Teaching activities ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Building block 1: Modern innovation theories and industrial change ...................................................... 3
Building block two: empirical insights into industrial dynamics: .............................................................. 4
Course schedule ........................................................................................................................................ 5
The project paper...................................................................................................................................... 8
IDA
Course PM (period 4, 2011):
ME2036 (IDA) Industrial Dynamics-Advanced Course
ECTS: 6
Credits: 6 hp
Level : D
Language: English
Course lecturers:
Course coordinator: Cali Nuur
Cali.nuur@indek.kth.se
Room 421, Lindedtsv 30
Contributing lecturers:
Staffan Laestadius (SL)
Pär Blomkvist (PB)
Michael Novotny (MN)
Pranpreya Sriwannawit (PS)
Vicky Long (VL)
Description of the course:
This an advanced course in which understanding various aspects of changes relating to
knowledge creation, competence development, industrial capabilities, science and
technology- and how these processes takes place on a system’s level play a crucial role. A
core point of departure is an in-depth understanding of the transformation of industries
and technologies, which are more or less influenced by the economic, professional, policy
and cultural contexts. The measurement of these processes as well as their relation to
economic growth and competitiveness is also another theme of this course. Thus, the
course puts industrial and technological change in the context of the theory of dynamic
capabilities, which integrates evolutionary (innovation) theory with the theory of the firm.
The course also integrates theories of knowledge formation and learning in firms and
technical/innovation systems as well as the science and technology studies discourse.
More specifically after attending this course students would:
 Be able to gain in-depth knowledge on the mechanisms behind industrial and
technical change.
 Be familiar with the fundamentals of modern innovation theories
 Be able to analyse industrial and technological transformation from a historical and
technological context
 Be able gain in depth knowledge on knowledge formation processes involved in
understanding economic and technical transformation.
 Be familiar with the research frontier in industry, innovation and technology
analysis, research processes and policy, and evolutionary industrial processes and
the formation of dynamic firms.
 Be able to gain in depth knowledge on the institutions that condition and constrain
industrial competitiveness.
 Be able to identify the mechanisms behind technological and industrial change
 Be familiar with the knowledge base for independent qualified analysesmanagement-implementation-process/policies and strategies that relate to
industrial and technical change on different systems levels.
Examination
The course examination is based on the following intertwined elements;
a) Active participation in three seminars described below and delivering a written
paper (2000-3000 words) after each seminar (corresponding to approximately
20%)
b) Authoring, presenting, and defending a project paper (8000-12000 pages) on
industrial dynamics (Corresponding approximately to 60%)
c) Critiquing (Orally and in writing) a peer written paper (2000-3000 words)
(corresponding approximately, 20%)
A note on the literature: Since this is an advanced course students are expected to read
and analyse a number of scientific articles. The compulsory literature of each of the
building blocks is given below. The majority of the suggested literature could be
accessed through KTH library. In the case of difficulties please get in touch with the
professors.
The literature seminar will be based on the suggested articles and expected to be a
synthesis of the articles.
The seminars
There are three compulsory seminars:
1) A literature review seminar base on the theoretical building block. Hand in your
work (hard copies) before the start of the seminar. Delays will not be accepted.
2) A draft seminar on the project work. Deliver a draft of your research project to the
course coordinator’s mailbox at Sing Sing 24 hours before the seminar.
3) Final seminar; Present your research project work and give critique (orally and in
writing) on another student’s paper. The final paper should be handed (hard
copy)in 48 hours before the seminar.
Teaching activities
The teaching activities are based on two blocks with the aim of giving insights into the
frontier of industrial dynamics;
1) A theoretical block that introduces concepts and frameworks.
2) Empirical block with the aim of putting the theoretical concepts into different
contexts/levels.
Building block 1: Modern innovation theories and industrial change
Lecturers: PB; SL; CN
1a) introductory texts on the mechanisms of transformations (PB)
Suggested literature:
- Arthur, Brian (1990): “Positive Feedbacks in the Economy“ (in Scientific American):
http://www.santafe.edu/~wbarthur/Papers/Papers.html (pdf-version)
- Articles by Erik Dahmén and Staffan Laestadius: Hand outs by Pär Blomkvist at the
lecture
Rogers, Everett (1995): Diffusion of Innovations (The Free Press, New York), chpt 1, 137. http://courses.ceit.metu.edu.tr/ceit626/week9/rogers-doi-ch1.pdf
1b) The foundations of innovation and entrepreneurship theory (SL)
Suggested literature; Schumpeter, J., “The fundamental phenomenon on economic
development” (basics on innovation and entrepreneurship), chapter 2 in The Theory
of Economic Development,
1C) Evolutionary and institutional paths in economics (SL)
Suggested literature:
-Dosi, G. & Nelson, R., 1994, “An introduction to evolutionary theories in economics”,
Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 4, 153-172.
-Nelson, R., 1995, “Recent Evolutionary Theorizing About Economic Change”,
Journal of Economic Literature, 33, March, 48-90.
-Hodgson, G., 1998, “The Approach of Institutional Economics”, Journal of
Economic Literature, 36, No. 1, 166-192
- Nelson, R., “The Co-evolution of Technology, Industrial Structure, and Supporting
Institutions”, Industrial and Corporate Change, 3, No 1, 47-63.
1D) The systems levels of innovation (SL/CN)
Suggested literature:
- Franco Malerba (2002) “Sectoral systems of innovations and production”
Research policy 31, pp 247-264.
http://www.azc.uam.mx/socialesyhumanidades/06/departamentos/relaciones/
Pdf.%20De%20curso%20de%20MESO/Malerba2002Sistemas%20sectoriales.pdf
- Nuur, Cali, Gustavsson, Linda and Laestadius, Staffan(2009)'Promoting Regional
Innovation Systems in a Global Context', Industry & Innovation,16:1,123 — 139
Building block two: empirical insights into industrial dynamics:
2a) Industrial dynamics; The case of Photo voltaic and Thailand (PS)
Suggested literature:
Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990). Absorptive capacity: A new perspective on learning
and innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 35(1), 128-52.
Lundvall, B. Å., Vang, J., Joseph, K.J., & Chaminade, C. (2009). Innovation system research
and developing countries. In B. Å. Lundvall, K.J. Joseph, C. Chaminade & J. Vang (Eds.),
Handbook of innovation systems and developing countries: Building domestic capabilities in a
global setting (pp. 1-30). Cheltenham/Northampton: Edward Elgar.
Rogers, E.M. (1995). Chapter 1: Elements of diffusion. Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.)
(pp.1-37). New York, NY: The Free Press.
Sriwannawit, P. (2010). Diffusion of photovoltaic systems in rural Thailand. Working paper
presented at DRUID-DIME Academy Winter Conference 2011, Aalborg/Denmark and to be
presented at International Conference on Management of Technology, Florida/USA.
http://www2.druid.dk/conferences/viewabstract.php?id=502404&cf=47
2b) Industrial dynamics; The case of the paper and pulp industry (MN)
Suggested literature:
Dosi G., Nelson & Winter; 2000. Nature and Dynamics of Organizational Capabilities.
Ch 12 by Teece, Pisano & Shuen, p 334-362. Oxford University Press.
Laestadius, S., 2000. “Biotechnology and the Potential for a Radical Shift of Technology in
Forest Industry”, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, June 2000, vol 12, nr 2.
193-213.
Tushman, L. M. & Anderson, P, 1997. Managing Strategic Innovation and Change, ch 1,
p3-20. Oxford University Press. New York, or: Abernathy & Clark, 1985, “Mapping the
winds of creative destruction”. Research Policy, 14, 3-22.
2C) Industrial dynamics: The case of ICT and China (VL)
 Steinmueller W. Edward (2001) ICTs and the possibilities for leapfrogging by
developing countries, International Labour Review Vol. 140 (2001), No.2

Teece (1986), ‘Profiting from technological innovation: implications for integration,
collaboration, licensing and public policy’, Research Policy, vol. 15, no. 6. pp. 285305

Shapiro Carl. (2003) Navigating the patent ticket: cross licenses, patent pools, and
standard-setting. In Jaffe, A, Lerner, J and Stern, S (eds.) Innovation Policy and the
economy, Vol. 1. Boston: MIT Press

Long Vicky & Palmberg Christopher (2006), Navigating IPR ticket from a latecomers
perspective – the case of the emerging Chinese ICT industry, Article collected in
book "Finland and the Globalization of Innovation", edited by Jyrki Ali-Yrkkö and
Christopher Palmberg, Taloustieto Oy, Helsinki, 2006
Course schedule
Vecka 2 - 21 2011
Grafiskt format | Utskriftsvänlig version
Kurs ME2036 Industriell dynamik, Avancerad k
Vecka 12, 2011
Kurs
Mome
nt
Lok Anmärkni Lära
al
ng
re
Kursomg
Tis
22
mar
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
M33
introducti
on
SL/P ME2036V1
B
11
On
s
23
mar
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
V32
1A
PB
ME2036V1
11
Vecka 13, 2011
Tis
29
mar
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
M33
1B
SL
ME2036V1
11
On
s
30
mar
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
V32
1C
SL
ME2036V1
11
Vecka 14, 2011
Tis 5 apr
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
M33
1D
CN
ME2036V1
11
On
6 apr
s
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
V32
2A
PS
ME2036V1
11
2B
MN
ME2036V1
11
VL
ME2036V1
11
Vecka 15, 2011
Tis
On
s
12
apr
13
apr
10:0012:00
10:0012:00
ME203
6
ME203
6
Frl
M33
2C
Frl
V32
Vecka 17, 2011
Tis
26
10:00-
ME203
Frl
M33
Reserve
ME2036V1
On
s
apr
12:00
6
11
27
apr
10:0012:00
ME203
6.a
Sem
L44
Seminar 1
CN
ME2036V1
11
15:0017:00
ME203
6.b
Sem
L21
Seminar 1
CN
ME2036V1
11
Vecka 18, 2011
Tis 3 maj
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
M33
ME2036V1
11
On
4 maj
s
13:0015:00
ME203
6.a
Sem
L21
Draft
seminar
CN
ME2036V1
11
15:0017:00
ME203
6.b
Sem
L21
Draft
Seminar
CN
ME2036V1
11
Vecka 19, 2011
Tis
10
maj
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
M33
Reserve
time
ME2036V1
11
On
s
11
maj
10:0012:00
ME203
6.a
Sem
L44
ME2036V1
11
15:0017:00
ME203
6.b
Sem
L21
ME2036V1
11
Vecka 20, 2011
Tis
17
maj
10:0012:00
ME203
6
Frl
M33
ME2036V1
11
On
s
18
maj
10:0012:00
ME203
6.a
Sem
L44
Final
seminar
CN
ME2036V1
11
15:0017:00
ME203
6.b
Sem
L21
Final
Seminar
CN
ME2036V1
11
The project paper
The project paper is the final examination of the course. It should discuss/ analyse the
theories and concepts that have been covered in the course. The student can also apply
the concepts into a practical case (technology, industry etc). However, in this case, the
student should show that the theoretical framework is put into practice. At the draft
seminar, peer critique and feedback will be given to enhance the quality of the project.
The final project paper can be written with one or two other students (max 3) but every
co-author should write a page declaration concerning his/her input and the input of the coauthors. The final paper should not exceed a maximum of 12 000 words (single line spaces,
12 point, times new roman) and should be well referenced.
The paper must be based on literature and prime sources and has a clear message that is
sound and well referenced in the literature used and in the prime sources of your
investigation.
The paper should be modelled according to the standard academic form and should contain
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Introduction/background
The research objective(s) and research question(s),
Data gathering methodology
A conceptual discussion/theoretical framework/ literature review
Emiprical findings/illustrations
Conclusions and implications;
References/bibliography
The course is graded according to how well the student has followed the three compulsory
examination requirements listed earlier. Apart from the paper (the most important factor)
the grade is dependant on your participation in the building block seminars and
presentation and critique at the final seminar.