Learning objectives
a. Knowledge and understanding:
At the end of the course, the student will understand the basic notions of the economic theory of innovation, how economics of innovation is related to complexity theory, and the impact of innovation on region and firm competitiveness. In particular, the student will acquire the following knowledge: 1) characteristics of the different types of innovation; 2) characteristics of innovative processes; 3) role of intangible resources and intellectual property rights; 4) firm collaborations to develop new technologies; 5) characteristics of complex systems and modeling of complex systems through programming languages.
b. Knowledge and understanding: the student will be able to deal critically with issues and topics related to the economics of innovation. She will be able to describe the innovative process as a complex phenomenon that is not limited to the introduction of an innovation, but also includes the sectoral and economy-wide diffusion. She will be able to understand and comment on reports and data about the innovation phenomenon.
c. Making judgments: the course combines theoretical knowledge with examples of empirical applications aimed at verifying the applicability conditions of the proposed models and at critically analyzing the empirical results. This method allows the student to become aware of the mechanisms that regulate the innovative processes and to stimulate the ability to explore sources, data and literature necessary for the formulation of weighted judgments.
d. Communication skills: at the end of the course the student will have acquired the tools that allow her to communicate the acquired knowledge with technical language. These skills are stimulated through class interaction.
e. Learning skills: Lecture attendance and class interaction with the lecturer and other students, the exposure to the training materials uploaded on the course website, and individual study provide the student with the toolbox to stimulate individual learning.
Prerequisites
This is a compulsory course of the CLED curriculum, 2nd year. It can also be selected by 3rd year students enrolled in the curriculum CLAM, CLEA, CLEF or CLEI. as an optional course.
Course unit content
1. What is innovation?
2. Sources and types of innovation
3. Diffusion of innovation
4. Protecting innovation
5. Industrial dynamics and sectors
6. Geography of innovation
LAB: Complexity and simulation models
Full programme
Bibliography
Schilling, M., Izzo, F. Gestione dell’Innovazione, 5/ED. McGraw-Hill, Milano: 2022 (selected chapters).
Lotti, F., Meliciani, V. Dinamiche Industriali, Il Mulino, Bologna: 2021 (selected chapters).
Wilensky, U., Rand, W. An Introduction to Agent-Based Modeling. MIT Press, Boston: 2015 (selected chapters).
Details about the program and additional materials will be specified in class and will be available on the elearning Elly page.
Teaching methods
The course is organized through 6 teaching modules, 1 business seminars module and 1 computer lab, plus an introductory and a concluding session. Each teaching module includes 4-6 hours of lectures and discussion of examples and case studies. The computer lab includes 20 hours (1 class per week).
Acquisition of knowledge: lectures.
Acquisition of the ability to apply the analysis methodologies: discussion of examples and case studies; business seminars.
Acquisition of the autonomy of judgment: interactive discussion of case studies.
Acquisition of learning skills: lectures and computer lab sessions will contribute to focus attention on the mechanisms of theoretical analysis and their application to complex phenomena.
Acquisition of technical language: during the course the meaning of the terms commonly used in the academic and public discourse about innovation will be illustrated.
Lectures, aimed at acquiring knowledge and stimulating understanding, will make use of slides. Slides will be available on the Elly page by the end of each week. Business seminars might be organized in presence or as online streaming, depending on guests availability.
Computer lab sessions will require the use of personal computers by the students. Knowledge of programming languages is not a prerequisite.
The Elly page is the main source of information about: course events, schedule changes, office hours, exams.
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists of a written test with 20 multiple choice questions, with penalties for incorrect answers (max 20 points) and 1 open-ended question about the models discussed in the lab sessions (max 12 points. The final evaluation is expressed in thirtieths and evaluates the knowledge acquired during the course. To get a pass, students need at least 12 points in the multiple choice questions and at least 6 points in the computer lab models question. Honors will be awarded to students that get more than 30 points.
All students have one hour to complete the final written exam.
During the exam it is forbidden to use mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and any other electronic device. It is also forbidden to use books, notes, and slides.
Results will be notified on the Esse3 website. Students can view the exam in the time slots communicated by the instructor after the exam.
Other information
Recordings of class lectures will be available on Elly, except for failures in technical infrastructure, provided that an adequate number of students attends physically the lecture.
An innovative track will be available for 2nd year students enrolled in the CLED curriculum, with 80% compulsory attendance rate in presence. All information about this track will be communicated in the introductory lecture.
All attending students can get additional points by active participation to class activities (max 3 points, that are added to the exam grade obtained in the summer session provided that the grade is at least 18). All information about this track will be communicated in the Introductory lecture.
