Science, Technology and Innovations: Markets, Firms and Policies (752N1)
15 credits, Level 7 (Masters)
Autumn teaching
The aim of this module is to introduce you to an ongoing tradition of research on innovation and the various analytical concepts and theories that are used in current academic, management and policy debates. It will explore the processes underlying knowledge accumulation and innovative activity within the global economy and review the historical and contemporary emergence of current innovation systems in both developed and developing country contexts. This includes analysis of the science system, technology, the management of innovation, the theory of the firm, the basis for public policy, environmental analysis, and innovation systems approaches.
The module has a key focus on developing understanding that contributes towards practical analysis of innovation policy and management problems, and provides a range of analytical frameworks for understanding and exploring the nature of public policy and its influence on the operations of business firms and other organisations.
These frameworks include:
- orthodox economics
- evolutionary economics
- science and technology studies
- history.
The economics part of the course aims to develop viewpoint on issues of science and technology management and policy.
This viewpoint is relevant for two reasons:
- it is widely believed that economics provides the rationale for the operation of market-based economies (the predominant form of economic org