S1724 Innovation and Social Changes (Sustainable Development Sp. Track)

Course description

The objective is to give a basic background to all students, without any prerequisite, on the dynamics of innovation. It will give an overview of the changing role of innovation in economics and society with an historical perspective (from a long-term stable society to a permanent regime of innovation) and introduce the key determinants and issues of the process of innovation. The course will be organized in 4 chapters.

The first one will present economic innovations (new products or new processes), which are usually the main topic of innovation analysis. Through basic concepts (from innovation vs. invention to open or reverse innovation), we will introduce how and why innovation became a driving force in economic and social changes.

But significant progress in efficiency, productivity or competitiveness is not only the result of technological innovation. It may be also driven by radical changes in organization. This will be illustrated through the history of financial innovations as well in the field of changes in management.

The second chapter will go deeper into the

Course description

The objective is to give a basic background to all students, without any prerequisite, on the dynamics of innovation. It will give an overview of the changing role of innovation in economics and society with an historical perspective (from a long-term stable society to a permanent regime of innovation) and introduce the key determinants and issues of the process of innovation. The course will be organized in 4 chapters.

The first one will present economic innovations (new products or new processes), which are usually the main topic of innovation analysis. Through basic concepts (from innovation vs. invention to open or reverse innovation), we will introduce how and why innovation became a driving force in economic and social changes.

But significant progress in efficiency, productivity or competitiveness is not only the result of technological innovation. It may be also driven by radical changes in organization. This will be illustrated through the history of financial innovations as well in the field of changes in management.

The second chapter will go deeper into the dynamics of innovation. Firstly, at the micro level, focusing on the role of entrepreneurship, the links between academic research and industry, and the role of public institutions. Such dynamics are based on many interactions and oriented by the institutional environment (labour market, education, finance, intellectual property rights, public policies), which needs to have a societal approach to innovation and its diffusion.
Secondly, radical technological innovations imply changes in organizations (for example in labour: organization of work, competencies) and institutions (regulation, social norms, public institutions) that need to be adapted to new technologies to exploit their potential. This is well documented in the case of diffusion of information and communication technologies.
Thirdly, at a more global level, the concept of system of innovation will be introduced and the diversity of national systems of innovation presented, which will allow an overview of the dynamics of innovation in world regions and different countries.

The third part will develop two specific aspects of the dynamics of innovation. Firstly, the changing geography of innovation will be analyzed, both on the global and on the local scale. On one hand, the hypothesis of globalization of technologies will be discussed, as well as the roles and relationships between countries, especially emerging countries. On the other hand, the agglomeration and clustering of innovation will lead to a reconsideration of the dynamics of regional or territorial systems of innovation. Secondly, a specific focus will be made on environmental innovation to discuss how regulation can encourage the development of clean technologies, which would contribute to progress in combatting environmental challenges.

The final part will introduce the dynamics of social innovation, commonly defined as “new ideas (products, services and models) that simultaneously meet social needs and create new social relationships or collaborations”. Such dynamics are more related to solidarity and an inclusive society than to economic competitiveness. The concept of social innovation and associated notions (social entrepreneurship, the social sector) will be presented. Its recent introduction into public policies (such as the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation, EaSI) will be discussed. A specific focus will be made on its impact on local and regional development, with particular attention to the Venetian region.

Learning outcomes of the course:

The course is intended to open students’ minds to the societal issues of innovation within a broader context and to examine the potential of cooperative relationships in developing creativity through teamwork. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand and discuss the main issues of the dynamics of innovation.

Firstly, at the micro level, focusing on the role of entrepreneurship, the links between academic research and industry, and the role of public institutions. Such dynamics are based on many interactions and oriented by the institutional environment (labour market, education, finance, intellectual property rights, public policies), which needs to have a societal approach to innovation and its diffusion.
Secondly, radical technological innovations imply changes in organizations (for example in labour: organization of work, competencies) and institutions (regulation, social norms, public institutions) that need to be adapted to new technologies to exploit their potential. This is well documented in the case of diffusion of information and communication technologies.
Thirdly, at a more global level, the concept of system of innovation will be introduced and the diversity of national systems of innovation presented, which will allow an overview of the dynamics of innovation in world regions and different countries.

The third part will develop two specific aspects of the dynamics of innovation. Firstly, the changing geography of innovation will be analyzed, both on the global and on the local scale. On one hand, the hypothesis of globalization of technologies will be discussed, as well as the roles and relationships between countries, especially emerging countries. On the other hand, the agglomeration and clustering of innovation will lead to a reconsideration of the dynamics of regional or territorial systems of innovation. Secondly, a specific focus will be made on environmental innovation to discuss how regulation can encourage the development of clean technologies, which would contribute to progress in combatting environmental challenges.

The final part will introduce the dynamics of social innovation, commonly defined as “new ideas (products, services and models) that simultaneously meet social needs and create new social relationships or collaborations”. Such dynamics are more related to solidarity and an inclusive society than to economic competitiveness. The concept of social innovation and associated notions (social entrepreneurship, the social sector) will be presented. Its recent introduction into public policies (such as the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation, EaSI) will be discussed. A specific focus will be made on its impact on local and regional development, with particular attention to the Venetian region.

Learning outcomes of the course:

The course is intended to open students’ minds to the societal issues of innovation within a broader context and to examine the potential of cooperative relationships in developing creativity through teamwork. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand and discuss the main issues of the dynamics of innovation.