Course syllabus for Innovation systems and sociotechnical transitions

Course syllabus adopted 2020-02-18 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameInnovationssystem och sociotekniska omställningar
  • CodeTEK665
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPMEI
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Engineering and Management
  • DepartmentTECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 26114
  • Maximum participants60
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0119 Written and oral assignments 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

At least 15 credits in the main area Industrial engineering and management, including business administration, innovation management, strategic management, industrial marketing, project management, etc.

Aim

The purpose of the course is for the students to develop an understanding of (1) the collective aspects of the innovation process and how they can be analysed, (2) conditions and mechanisms for sociotechnical transitions in important societal sectors, such as energy supply, transport, buildings and food, and (3) the possibility to influence innovation and transition processes at the level of technology, industry or sector through organisational strategies and public policy.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

After completion of the course, students should be able to:
  • account for different concepts, theories and frameworks describing innovation and transition processes at the level of technology, industry or sector;
  • account for factors and mechanisms that influence the conditions and possibilities for innovation and sociotechnical transition at the level of technology, industry or sector and explain their consequences for the sustainable development of different societal sectors;
  • critically discuss to what extent the factors and mechanisms can be influenced by firms and other societal actors and critically discuss what strategies and policy instruments could be required to stimulate innovation or transition in an industry or sector; and
  • apply selected frameworks in an analysis of an industry or sector and based on the analysis formulate recommendations for strategy and public policy.

Content

The course covers different theoretical frameworks and models to describe and analyse innovation and transition processes at technology, industry or sector level, e.g. technological and sectoral innovation systems and the multi-level perspective on sociotechnical transitions. It also considers literature on system-building and institutional entrepreneurship as well as innovation policy and policy for transformative change.

Organisation

The course is organised in the form of lectures, individual literature studies, discussion seminars (with mandatory attendance), group assignments with written and oral presentation and a written assignments done individually or in pairs.

Literature

Scientific journal articles, which will be announced two weeks before the course starts.

Examination including compulsory elements

The course is examined through a number of seminar preparation assignments in groups of 2-3 students with written and oral presentation, a group report written in groups of 4-6 students, individual peer reviews of another group’s submissions, and a written, literature-based assignment, which is done individual or pairs depending on the number of participants. Discussion seminar attendance is mandatory.