Learning objectives
a. Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand the basic concepts of the economic theory of innovation, the main drivers of innovation, and its impact on the economy and society. In particular, the student will have acquired the following knowledge: 1) defining elements of different types of innovation; 2) microeconomic drivers of innovation; 3) the challenges of green innovation; 4) the consequences of innovation for employment; 5) the defining elements of innovation systems.
b. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to critically apply concepts and theories related to the economics of innovation. They will be able to analyze innovative processes within the broader context of transitioning toward a sustainable society and economy. They will be able to understand and comment on reports, policy and data concerning the emergence, diffusion and governance of innovation.
c. Judgment autonomy: The course will provide the students with theoretical and empirical tools to develop autonomous judgment and analysis on the causes and consequences of innovation processes in contemporary capitalism. These reasoned judgments will be fostered by a constant exchange between theoretical knowledge and examples of real-world applications, aimed at verifying the applicability of proposed models.
d. Communication skills: By the end of the course, students will have developed the skills to effectively communicate the knowledge they've gained. These abilities are enhanced through interaction during lectures.
e. Learning skills: Attending lectures, engaging with the instructor and fellow students, utilizing materials posted on the course website, and studying independently equip students with the tools to enhance their individual learning.
Prerequisites
Introductory microeconomics
Course unit content
What is an innovation? How can we measure it? What are its causes and consequences for the economy and society? The course will provide the students with the concepts and tools needed to address these questions, placing particular attention on the interplay between innovation processes and different dimensions of social and environmental sustainability. The course will be divided in three parts: the first part will introduce the basic concepts, definitions and theories of innovation; the second part will discuss the role of innovation and technological change in the process of addressing key social challenges related to climate change and uncertain labour prospects; the third part will take a broader social and economic perspective and discuss systemic approaches to innovation, with a particular focus on the role of public policy.
Full programme
Bibliography
The reference textbook is G.M. Peter Swann (2009) The Economics of Innovation: An Introduction, Edward Elgar. Additional reading materials will be provided during the course.
Teaching methods
The course is structured into three teaching modules, two debating sessions, and three lab sessions, along with an introductory and a concluding session. Each teaching module consists of six-eight lectures, which last two hours each.
Knowledge Acquisition: Lectures provide the foundational knowledge.
Application of Analytical Methodologies: This is developed through discussions of examples and class seminars.
Autonomy of Judgment: Interactive discussions of course topics foster independent thinking.
Learning Skills: Lectures and lab sessions will help students focus on the mechanisms of theoretical analysis and their application to complex phenomena.
Technical Language: The course will clarify the meanings of terms commonly used in academic and public discussions about innovation.
Lectures, designed to build knowledge and enhance understanding, will utilize slides, which will be uploaded to the Elly page of the course. Lab sessions will require students to use personal computers. The Elly page serves as the primary source of information regarding course events, schedule changes, office hours, and exams.
Assessment methods and criteria
1) Innovative pattern. During the course the students will present a project (course project) that is worth 10 points of the final score. The remaining 22 points (total 32 points including the laude) will be allocated on the basis of a written exam with multiple-choice questions and one open-text question. The exam will last 60 minutes. It will be held during a specific exam day right at the end of the classes (i.e. “preappello”) and it will be based only on the chapters of the textbook covered during the course. Only the students who hand in the course project by the date of the “preappello” will be allowed to take the exam through the innovative pattern.
Course project: students will have to develop an innovation pitch. The students will have first to make a brief presentation of the project during the course. Then, by the date of the “preappello” the students will have to submit a video with the content of pitch. Some of the videos will be selected to be included in the podcast of the course. Course projects must be developed in groups of three/four students.
2) Traditional pattern. The final exam consists of a written exam with multiple-choice questions and two open-text questions. The exam will be based on the entire book + the readings assigned during the course and available on the Elly portal. The exam will last 90 minutes. Students will be able to take this exam only during the official exam sessions (i.e. there is no “preappello”).
Other information
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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