Innovation Management (5cr)

Objective

The student is able to identify and analyze innovation opportunities in SMEs as well as develop innovative solutions and manage innovation projects. The student is able to explain and justify the impact of innovation capability on creating a company’s competitive advantage and exploiting growth opportunities.

Content

Content
• Definitions and concepts of innovation.
• The role, challenges, and opportunities of innovations in SMEs: creating competitive advantage, growth opportunities, and market changes.
• Challenges and opportunities of innovating in SMEs: adequacy of resources, risk management.
• Development culture and opportunities for everyday development: principles of continuous improvement, employee involvement.
• Strategic planning and development of innovation capability.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1): The student has completed the given assignments within the set time and participated in the course. The student is able to identify innovation opportunities and innovative solutions from the SME perspective. The student is able to explain the impact of innovation capability on creating a company’s competitive advantage and exploiting growth opportunities.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Assessment criteria, good (3): The student has completed the given assignments within the set time, generated different solutions for them, and participated in discussions in online lectures. The student is able to identify and analyze innovation opportunities in SMEs as well as develop innovative solutions. The student is able to explain and justify the impact of innovation capability on creating a company’s competitive advantage and exploiting growth opportunities. The student is able to prepare analyses/justifications, presenting concrete examples and applying what has been learned.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Assessment criteria, excellent (5): The student has completed the given assignments within the set time, generated a wide range of different solutions, and participated actively in discussions in online lectures. The student is able to identify and analyze innovation opportunities in SMEs as well as develop a wide range of innovative solutions. The student is able to explain and justify from different perspectives the impact of innovation capability on creating a company’s competitive advantage and exploiting growth opportunities. The student is able to prepare comprehensive analyses/justifications, presenting versatile and well-founded examples as well as applying what has been learned.