This programme provides the student with knowledge and skills in the field of entrepreneurial innovation processes. First it presents the main
tools to understand the scope and implications of an innovation and of the dynamics of innovative processes. On this basis, secondly, students should develop basic skills to tackle innovation management issues by providing the student with a methodology and a set of specialized operational tools.
- Schilling, Izzo, Gestione dell’innovazione, 4th ed, McGraw-Hill, 2017, (13 and 14 are not included in the exam program)
- Supplementary teaching materials provided by the teacher available on the Moodle platform (e-l.unifi.it)
Learning Objectives
Teaching aims to provide the student with the basic knowledge in the field of entrepreneurial innovation processes and develop the basic skills to tackle innovation management issues.
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites are required, but it is strongly recommended to have already achieved ant least the basic knowledge in the field of business strategy and marketing.
Teaching Methods
The course will be carried out through lectures; if possible - depending on the evolution of the ongoing pandemic seminars with experts in the field of innovation will be delivered.
Attending students will be asked to carry out team work based on the analysis of an innovation case; the discussion of their report will be part of the exam; those who cannot do the teamwork will carry out the oral exam on the entire program of the course.
Type of Assessment
Oral examination. It will be assessed, first of all, knowledge of the topics that are part of the course program; therefore the ability to discuss them
in depth and to make the necessary connections between the different parts of the program; and finally the ability to analyze innovation cases using the tools and skills provided in the course.
In the case of attending students who have developed an elaborate on a case of innovation, this work will also be evaluated
Course program
1. Innovation and entrepreneurship: classification of their basic contents: main taxonomies; the link between innovation and entrepreneurship; difference between innovation and invention; the concept of "entrepreneurial innovation; the link with strategy and the search for competitive advantage.
2. Innovation and entrepreneurship, as complex phenomena playing a key-role determining the dynamics of the economy and society. Analysis of the main contents from classical economics to today; insights into Schumpeter's contribution.
3. Entrepreneurial innovation as a process: the analysis of the main phases of an innovation process; the prerequisites and conditions for the launch and the success of a new business venture (Bessant and Tidd and Vallini models).
4. Entrepreneurship and networks: the networks of "entrepreneurial roles" that can emerge within organizations and their role in determining their innovative potential.
5. New business ventures (startups): basic characteristics and problems; the financing cycle of a startup; business angels, incubators and accelerators; venture capital; crowdfunding; the specificities of the business models of startups operating in the e-business field.
6. The sources of innovation: analysis of the relationship between an innovative idea and its conversion into a business idea. A systematic analysis model of the possible sources of innovation: a) analysis of the "subjects" and "places" of innovation: inventors; research laboratories; incubators; clusters and technological technological parks; relationships between customers and suppliers; b) "circumstances" as sources of innovation: Drucker's systematic entrepreneurship approach and the seven sources model.
7. The forms of innovation. Construction of an analytical "grid" to understand the contents, meaning and possible implications of an innovation: the degree of novelty of the innovation; product and process innovation; technological and non-technological innovation; radical and incremental innovation; disruptive innovation and sustaining; competence enhancing and competence destroying innovation; architectural and modular innovations (Abernathy and Clark model)
8. The basic dynamics of innovation: technological paths and cycles; conflicts of standards and the emergence of a dominant design; the choice of time to enter the market
9 Strategy and innovation; the definition of strategic orientation, the choice of innovation projects; partnerrship strategies; protection of innovation from imitation;
10 Innovation organization models: "closed" and "open" innovation models; "push and pull" approach; managing the team and the process for new product developement.
The cases delivered during the lesson and those in the textbook are included of the exam program.