Innovation and Entrepreneurship

This course brings together innovation and entrepreneurship key theories and research, together with practical applications in a broad context, including organizational, technical and social dimensions. The course starts with an introduction to innovation management, then moves to key concepts in entrepreneurship, such as entrepreneurial creativity, specificities of small firms, new ventures, creating value by exploiting intellectual property and creating new business models, venture capital and corporate ventures. The social dimension of entrepreneurship is also addressed, by a look into social entrepreneurship and the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.

1. Introduction to innovation management (2h30')

2. Introduction to entrepreneurship: theory, history, cognitive aspects, creativity, small firms (2h30')

3. Developing new ventures: types, process, business plans, resources, growth (2h)

4. Creating value: Exploiting intellectual property. Business models (2h)

5. Venture capital and corporate ventures (2h15')

6. The social dimension of entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship. Women entrepreneurs (2h15’)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bessant, J. and J. Tidd (2015) Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Wiley (Third edition).

Casson, M., B. Yeung, A. Basu and N. Wadeson (2008), The Oxford Handbook of Entrepreneurship (Oxford Handbooks), OUP Oxford.

Drucker, P. F. (1985) Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Harper.

Gartner, W.B. (2004), Handbook of entrepreneurial dynamics: the process of business creation, Sage.

Wynarczyk, P. and M. Ranga (eds.) (2017), Technology, Commercialization and Gender: A Global Perspective, Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-49923-9.

Ranga, M. (2014), The Y Factor: Gender Dynamics in Entrepreneurial Science. In: J. B. Powers and E. P. St. John (eds.), Higher education, commercialization, and university-business relationships in comparative context. New York: AMS Press. ISBN-13: 978-0404648022.

Fielden, S.L. and M.J. Davidson (2012), International Research Handbook on Successful Women Entrepreneurs, Edward Elgar.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

• Acquire key notions of innovation and entrepreneurship management

• Understand the evolution of innovation and entrepreneurship theory and practice over the recent decades and the contributions of these fields to economic growth and competitiveness

• Understand key features of entrepreneurial behaviour in the context of various institutions and cultures

• Become familiar with the dynamics of firm formation and growth, and the inner mechanisms of creating value in a corporate environment

• Understand the social dimension of entrepreneurship, the difference in framework opportunities available to either gender in different global contexts, appreciate the important socio-economic contribution of female entrepreneurship

• Be able to use conceptual frameworks and methodological tools to understand the dynamics of innovation and entrepreneurship, including the use of specific indicators

Assignments on selected topics chosen by students that will reflect the issues discussed in class. Grading criteria and the grading scheme that will be used for these assignments are indicated below:

Grading criteria

1. Completeness:

The assignment provides a good coverage of the points suggested for each question in the assignment brief and includes relevant aspects; correctly identifies limitations and addresses these points in a nuanced and well-articulated manner;

2. Use of information sources

The assignment uses of a wide range of information sources, including the class lectures and recommended readings, as well as academic and other literatures. It demonstrates good understanding and use of the literature in analyzing the assignment questions. Linkages between literature and assignment questions are clearly articulated and discussed;

3. Critical analysis

The assignment provides a critical discussion of the issues at play, good argumentation and pertinent conclusions;

4. Clarity, concision, correctness

The assignment provides clear, concise, well-structured answers, with no typographical or grammar errors;

5. Referencing

Correct and complete referencing, referencing list provided at the end of the assignment.