Innovation Management

Learning outcomes

• Know the types, forms, models of innovation and business practices to foster and manage innovation
• Acquire skills to define and improve corporate innovation strategies
• Know the organizational and process aspects of the innovation and creativity system
• Learn how to manage people so that they are a creative stimulus to processes
• Knowing how to build and manage an innovative project in all its phases
• Being able to be subjects of development and stimulation of creativity and innovation.

Course contents

The course will address the following topics:

• brief history of economics and technology
• the sources of innovation
• forms and models of innovation
• technological, social, green and design driven innovation
• the choice of time to enter the market
• innovation protection mechanisms (open and closed innovation)
• the organization of innovation processes
• techniques for developing corporate creativity
• team management for the development of a new product
• the management of the development process of a new product
• the selection and financing of innovative projects
• innovation strategies in small and medium enterprises (spin-offs and start-ups)

Reading/Bibliography

1. Innovation management / Melissa A. Schilling, Francesco Izzo. 4th ed, Milan [etc.] : McGraw-Hill
2. Product design and development, KT Ulrich; SD Eppinger, Filippini R., McGraw-Hill Education, 2007

Teaching methods

• Frontal lessons in the teacher's classroom
• Readings of scientific articles on innovation and its management. These readings provide a starting point to encourage students to propose ideas and perspectives.
• Discussion of case studies to help students evaluate the effectiveness of innovation strategies and actions in a business-like context.
• Individual and team work to build case studies.
• Corporate testimonials (at least four meetings with startuppers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and scholars in the innovation field) to help students familiarize themselves with the challenges of the world of work.

Assessment methods

The exam is divided into two parts (the arithmetic mean of the two marks will constitute the final mark):

1. a theoretical written test focused on the lessons and on the text "Innovation management" (max 30 points) which includes a multiple choice section and one of open questions. There is no oral exam.
2. an individual work, elaborated throughout the course, of a Business Case Study (max 30 points).