IE00CS91 Innovation and Industrial Change (5 cr)
Cooperation network course
Network: FITech Energy studies for Master’s students
Available for: Doctoral studies, Master's students and Bachelor's and Master's students
This course is offered through the Network for Fitech Energy 2. These studies are available for master's and doctoral degree students studying in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science and the Faculty of Information Technology.
Grading scale:
0-5
Description
The course 'Innovation and industrial change' offers an integrated approach to understanding how industries evolve over time and the critical role innovation plays in driving this change. Upon completion of the course, participants should be equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities associated with industrial change. Through a combination of lectures and seminars, supplemented by individual and group assignments, the course dives into historical examples of socio-technical transitions and a wide array of theories related to change, socio-technical systems and technological innovation. It critically examines how innovations can initiate such transitions and explores the multifaceted nature of change—considering the roles of firms, governments, and individuals in catalyzing or impeding progress.
The course also delves into the purposeful direction of change towards an alternative industrial order, incorporating discussions on the circular economy, degrowth, servitization, and strategies for decarbonization. It presents varied perspectives on driving change, but focuses on the way innovations occur and contribute or are affected by industrial changes, disruptions and transitions.
Learning outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, students are expected to be able to:
- Understand how socio-technical systems change and industry transitions occur (SDG 9).
- Understand and analyze the implications of industrial transitions on particular industrial sectors and business models (SDG 8).
- Identify possible paths for disruptive innovations or technology shifts.
- Outline business ecosystem structure around technological innovations and identify factors for their proliferation.
- Outline business models that contribute to a circular economy and the energy transition (SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 14).
- Analyze the institutional barriers for industrial change and devise mechanisms for institutional work to overcome them (SDG 17).
During the course, students have the opportunity to develop the following transferrable skills:
- Critical thinking
- Theoretical knowledge gained from the studies
- Information retrieval skills
- Analytical and systematic thinking skills
- Interdisciplinary/multi-professional teamwork
- Ability to learn and adopt new things
Description of prerequisites
Bachelor's Degree. It is preferred that the student has participated in a basic business course previously.