Course syllabus for Innovation systems and sociotechnical transitions

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-08 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 26118
  • Maximum participants40 (at least 10% of the seats are reserved for exchange students)
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0119 Written and oral assignments 7.5 c
Grading: TH
0 c0 c7.5 c0 c0 c0 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 completing the course, students should be able to:

  • account for different theoretical frameworks that describe innovation and transition processes at the level of technology, industry or societal sector and critically discuss the similarities and differences between different frameworks;
  • account for factors and mechanisms that influence the conditions and possibilities for innovation and sociotechnical transition at the level of technology, industry or societal sector and critically discuss their consequences for the sustainable development of different societal sectors;
  • apply selected frameworks in an analysis of empirical descriptions of innovation and transition processes in a particular sector; and
  • critically discuss to what extent the factors and mechanisms can be influenced by firms and other societal actors and what strategies and policy instruments could be required to stimulate innovation and sociotechnical transitions.

Content

The course covers different theoretical frameworks and models to describe and analyse innovation and transition processes at the level of technology, industry or societal sector, e.g. technological and sectoral innovation systems and the multi-level perspective on sociotechnical transitions. It also considers aspects connected to innovation policy and company strategy.

Organisation

The course is organised in the form of lectures, individual literature studies, discussion seminars (some with mandatory attendance), group assignments with written and oral presentation and an individual written assignment.

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 3-4 students with written and oral presentation, individual peer reviews of another group’s submissions, and an individual written, literature-based assignment. Some seminars are mandatory to attend.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.