International Innovation Management

Innovation Management: Advanced Topics & Frameworks

INNOM1010 - "I just think people from Silicon Valley can do anything."

This quote by a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur building electric cars is probably a bit exaggerated – but judge yourself. Accordingly, in this course, we will focus on selected aspects of innovation management, including (but not limited) to topics such as corporate innovation centres, the cooperation between established corporations and startups, open innovation approaches and platforms, and innovation auditing. As a particular topic, we will look at innovation regions such as Beer Sheva, Shenzhen or Silicon Valley and try to uncover their "secrets of success".

INNOM1020 - "In an average meeting, 20% of the participants use 80% of the air time."

What sounds like pure statistics poses a real innovation challenge. Generating innovations is a team sport involving people with different backgrounds: extroverts and introverts, analytical and creative, junior and senior personnel. As a manager, you need to use appropriate facilitation frameworks which ensure that all possible ideas are considered.

In innovation management, various frameworks are available to ensure that you unlock the potential of all team members and generate innovations that make a difference. Depending on the background and interest of our students, we will get to know and practice LEGO® Serious Play® and/or Design Thinking to generate innovations.

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Björn P. Jacobsen
Module code: INNOM1000
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1010 Self-paced online learning, INNOM1020 Onsite lecture (Fr./Sa.)

Basics and Methods of Futures Research

In this Module, selected concepts, goals and challenges of future research and future thinking will be presented and discussed on the basis of and in distinction to earlier forms of societal handling of the future and the associated uncertainty. The focus will be on social models and diagnoses that characterise an increased need for future-related knowledge - keywords in this context are second modernity, knowledge society, risk society, changing values, gender or individualisation. The possibilities and limits of scientifically recording the transformation processes described by these social models are also discussed, especially against the background of the foreseeable future social and civilisational challenges and disruptions.

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturer: André Uhl (IZT - external lecturer)
Module code: INNOM1100
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1100 Onsite lecture (1x Tue. - Fr., 1st BW)

Foundations for Innovation I: Law & Finance

The rapid development of digital technologies and the creation of new (data-driven) products and services (artificial intelligence, automated driving, blockchain, social media platforms) create major challenges for the law and the financial markets. The module offers an advanced study of a range of law and finance-related subjects, which address the opportunities and risks posed by innovation and new technology, particularly considering the issue of sustainability. Students gain an in-depth knowledge of domains where law and finance engage with technology and sustainability. Students are further introduced to the legal and finance authorities that may apply in the context of innovations, particularly to intellectual property law as a mechanism to protect innovations and the aspect of Environmental Social Governance (ESG).

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Piroutek | Prof. Dr. Scheibel
Module code: INNOM1200
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1210 in person lecture (1,5x Fr./Sa.), INNOM1220 in person lecture (1,5x Fr./Sa.)

Selected Topics I: Sustainable Innovation

This module will explore the role of innovation in sustainable development. Students will gain an understanding of the theory and current policies which surround sustainability growth and competitiveness. These will be illustrated with relevant transformations in manufacturing, agriculture and energy sectors.  Our current understanding of mobility and the alternatives, will also be included in this module.

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Murphy
Module code: INNOM1300
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1310 in person lecture (1x Mo. - Wed., 2nd BW), INNOM1320 in person lecture (1x Wed. - Fr., 2nd BW)

Selected Topics II: Designing Digital Innovations

Digitalisation is one of the most important drivers of our society. In this module emphasis is given to understanding innovation processes for digital innovations. Topics include methods and techniques for human-centred design of digital innovations. With a hands-on approach, students apply acquired knowledge to real-world problems to develop innovative solutions while creating prototypes and mock-ups in the process.

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Novak
Module code: INNOM1400
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1410 online lecture (fixed date for half a day), INNOM1420 Onsite lecture (Fr./Sa.)

Academic Research & Writing

The objectives of this module are to introduce students to the methods and techniques used in various business fields to provide the foundations for contemporary empirical analysis of a pre-defined managerial phenomenon. Students will undertake independent and critical research on a relevant topic and communicate the research objectives, methodology, analysis, results and conclusions effectively both orally and through the production of a written assignment.
 

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Loebnitz
Module code: INNOM1500
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1500 in person lecture (1x Fr./Sa.)

Foundations for Innovation II: Diffusion of Innovation

An invention alone is not enough to survive in a competitive market. To turn inventions into innovations making and executing sound business decisions related to customers is key. This module provides the students with theoretical and practical foundations for all business activities related to dealing with potential and existing customers of innovation. The knowledge is provided with current literature and applied by working of practical projects to prepare for up-to-date business practice. Furthermore, the communication and judgement of arguments in written and oral form about issues related to innovation diffusion and customer relationship management will enable students to successfully deal with all challenges related to actual and potential customers of innovative products and services.

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Noack
Module code: INNOM1600
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1610 online (fixed dates), INNOM1620 online (fixed dates)

Foundations for Innovation III: Project Management

INNOM1710/INNOM1720: "Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work."

Turning your creative ideas into fully-fledged innovations requires both resources and specific project management skills. In the first part of the module, you will get an overview of European project funding mechanisms in the context of innovation. You will get to know how to investigate innovation practice in Europe, search for suitable funding mechanisms and how to apply for these funds basing your approach on a European project management methodology for a comprehensive and convincing project plan.

In the second part of the module (INNOM1720), you apply and advance your skills in a practical application using an actual case in process, product or service innovation.

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturers: Adriano La Vopa (INNOM1710) | Prof. Dr. Björn P. Jacobsen (INNOM1720)
Module code: INNOM1700
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1710 Online lecture at fixed dates; INNOM1720 in person lecture

Selected Topics III: Data Science & AI for Business Innovation

In this module students learn about use cases for data science and AI for business. This includes selecting the best methods to apply software tools and corresponding processes to apply data science or AI methods to typical problems and scenarios in a business context. Contents of this course include evaluation, prediction, interpretation and analysis of data on the one hand, while on the other hand the introduction of data science and AI in organisations is discussed.

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Lecturer: N.N.
Module code: INNOM1800
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1810 in person lecture (1x Fr./Sa.), INNOM1820 in person lecture (1x Fr./Sa.)

Innovation Field Trip

INNOM1920: Beer Sheva, Boston, Helsinki, San Francisco, Tokyo …

Many cities and regions worldwide claim to be the leading innovation hub. As part of our international field trip, we will select one international innovation region every year and organize a week-long innovation field trip. Part of these field trips is visiting companies and organizations involved in the regional innovation ecosystem.

The destination varies every year and will be announced at the beginning of the study course.

INNOM1910: National Field Trip

Germany is one of the most innovative countries in the European Union. The national field trip will provide valuable insights into ideas, concepts, and innovations of different organizations. This three-day excursion is primarily designed to establish a strong link between theoretical knowledge and the requirements of everyday business processes.

Note: Costs (travel, accommodation and stay costs) for the compulsory participation in the national and the international excursion are to be covered by the students. Depending on the destination of the excursion, approximate costs of Euro 500.00 (national excursion) to Euro 2,500.00 (international excursion) must be expected. Since transport and accommodation are booked independently by the students, these costs can be influenced by the students. The module INNOM1900 (excursions) is a compulsory subject; failure to pass (e.g. through non-participation) means that the required ECTS number for the degree is not achieved. Thus, according to the Fachprüfungsordnung (subject examination regulation) of 8 December 2021, the necessary educational contents for the successful completion are missing.

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Module code: INNOM1900
Contact hours & ECTS points: 4 hours / 6 ECTS points
Delivery: INNOM1910 Half a week onsite (Wed. - Fr.), usually end of May , INNOM1920 One week onsite (Mo.-Fr.), usually mid March

Master Thesis with Colloquium

For more details, please refer to the complete module description

Module code: INNOM2100
ECTS points: Master-Thesis (28 ECTS points) + Colloquium (2 ECTS points)