ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Technology Innovation and the Future of Management
Code ULMS503
Coordinator Dr P Ellwood
Strategy, IB and Entrepreneurship
Paul.Ellwood@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2020-21 Level 7 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

ULMS502 Foundations of Innovation Management 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:

 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:

 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:

 

Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 12

  12

      24
Timetable (if known) 120 mins X 1 totaling 12
 
  120 mins X 1 totaling 12
 
       
Private Study 126
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Technology innovation position paper. There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment.  -3000 words    100       

Aims

The aims of this module are to:

Provide students with a critical understanding of theories, concepts, and alternative perspectives on technology innovation management;

Enable students to understand and critically evaluate the ethical issues raised by the deployment of new technologies within organisations;

Introduce the students to current debates on global grand challenges and the ways in which they are expect to impact organisations;

Introduce students to debates on digital technologies and the future of work;

Support the development of subject specific and transferable skills necessary for future employment in careers that ultimately have a managerial component.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to critically appraise the core theories, concepts and empirical work that underpin technology innovation management.

(LO2) Students will be able to describe and evaluate critically contemporary societal debates in relation to technology innovation.

(LO3) Students will be able to elaborate on the strengths and weaknesses of practices and tools used to manage technology innovation in organisations.

(LO4) Students will be able to identify the range of factors (policies, legal and ethical considerations) that influence the development and deployment of technology.

(LO5) Students will be able undertake independent research concerning innovation management in an organisational context and communicate the outcome of their research effectively.

(S1) Verbal and written communication.
Developed in lectures and tutorials, through use of group discussions, presentations, and by working on the written assignment.

(S2) Teamwork.
Developed through group work in the tutorials.

(S3) Problem solving.
Developed through working on case study examples in lectures and tutorials and through the assignments focused on developing research skills, the ability to research organisations, find, organise and analyse relevant information, apply theory to real-life situations.

(S4) Commercial awareness.
Developed through the analysis of case study examples throughout the module.

(S5) Organisation skills.
Developed through need to prepare for tutorials and meeting assignment deadlines.

(S6) IT skills.
Developed through researching library databases for company information.

(S7) International awareness.
Developed through analysis of global grand challenges and the ways in which technology may contribute to the problem or the solution.

(S8) Ethical awareness.
Developed through critical discussions of the many ethical issues to be considered with respect to technology innovation throughout the module.

(S9) Lifelong learning.
Through developing research skills, ability to research organisations, find, organise and analyse relevant information, apply theory to real-life situations.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lectures x 12 hours.
Lectures will combine formal lecture style input with discussions, exercises, and quizzes that can be conducted in a large plenum. Technology-enhanced methods, such as polls, will be used when appropriate.

Tutorials x 12 hours.
While the lecture is conducted in a large plenum, tutorials will be in smaller groups. The tutorials accompany the lectures and are intended to provide students with the opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of academic studies and apply theoretical frameworks to the analysis of managing innovation in real-world organisations.

Self-directed learning x 126 hours.
Self-directed learning hours include: preparation for lectures and tutorials, e.g. reading and research; regular revision of lecture materials; independent research conducted for the assignment; preparing for the presentation component of the assignment; writing the coursework component for the assignment. Weekly office hours will be provided to support students in their self-directed learning; moreover, the discussion board will be used for interaction and collaboration throughout.

This module is organised into one lecture and one tutorial per week, each lasting for two hours and covering the same topic from different angles. While the lecture is conducted in a large plenum, tutorials will be in smaller groups.

All library resources will be accessible through the module reading list. Other key learning resources such as short videos, e.g., from Youtube; podcast recommendations and other additional materials will be linked on the VLE.

Lecture slides will be uploaded to the VLE at least a week before the lecture. Lectures will be recorded and uploaded to the VLE.

The module will make active use of an online discussion forum (on the VLE) where students can ask questions about the module and interact with each other.

The highly topical nature of this module means that there is not one core textbook. Rather, each week there will be a reading list comprising academic articles, practitioner papers and policy documents. These readings will be marked as either key, i.e. compulsory, or recommended, i.e. non-compulsory, reading.

Students will be asked to read specific articles in preparation for the tutorials. In the tutorials, they will work in groups to prepare and deliver presentations similar to and in preparation for the final, assessed presentation.


Syllabus

 

1. Technology innovation management - core theories and practices

These sessions will make connections to ideas covered in the Semester one module ULMS502 Foundations of Innovation Management, and extend that module by focusing on established theories and practices of technology innovation management:

Innovation strategy and technology;
Technological evolution and forecasting;
Internal and External sourcing of technology;
Technology and innovation in services;
New product development;
ULMS Research – intellectual property strategies;
ULMS research – innovation in emerging markets.

The introductory session will also comprise an in-depth introduction to the assignment, mutual expectations for working together, modes of feedback etc.

2. Artificial intelligence technologies and the future of work

This session will cover aspects such as:

Disruptive innovation theory;
Digitalisation of management;
A .I. and national innovation policies;
Debates surrounding the future of professions;
ULMS research – A.I. and the organisation of research institutes.

3. Global grand challenges and the implications for technology innovation

This session will cover aspects such as:

The concept of grand challenges, and its importance in transnational innovation policies;
Sustainability-oriented innovation;
Theories of socio-technical transitions;
ULMS Research – Food security in Mozambique.

4. Innovation management and ethics

This session will cover aspects such as:

Technology regulation;
Societal implications of new technology;
Responsible Innovation;
ULMS research – Nanotechnology, ethical agency and innovation strategies.

5. Critical studies of innovation

This session will cover aspects such as:

Critiquing the pro-innovation bias in management thinking;
Unintended consequences of innovation;
Alternative approaches, e.g. frugal innovation.


Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.