Develop methodological and research skills on the lead of innovation
Gain a critical awareness of how creative and innovative strategies can be implemented effectively in this module of the Digital4Business master’s programme.
This unit will use case studies and research to delve deeply into how to develop and implement powerful, creative strategies to use innovation at the individual, team and organisational level to transform the company into a more agile and competitive one.
Students will learn why certain types of approaches work while others meet resistance and fail. The course will go beyond how to quantify and measure impacts; it will examine how to learn from the results. They’ll develop pragmatic insights into how to foster creativity to improve processes and outcomes.
Emerging technologies immerse students in innovation
This fully online module incorporates the learning goals into the teaching modalities. Using innovative approaches such as gamification, problem-based learning and the flipped classroom approach, which presents the material ahead of the class and uses the live class time to explore it more deeply with the tutor so that students’ questions can drive the content of the session.
Students will engage in synchronous lectures, asynchronous individual study and laboratory work to explore the topics presented. The class will use emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to tackle the materials while simultaneously experiencing the benefits of digital innovation.
Time commitment
- Classroom and demonstrations: 18 hours
- Other hours (practical work / tutorial): 12 hours
- Independent learning: 95 hours
- Total: 125 hours
Credit points
5 ECTS
Full course breakdown
Subjects you’ll cover:
Innovation is a 5 ECTS module delivered over 4 hours 10 minutes per week for 12 weeks. An indicative schedule of topics to be addressed each week is outlined below:
- Fundamentals of Innovation I
- Creativity and Innovation: Introduction to creativity and its role in innovation.
- Discussion on the creative process and techniques to foster creativity.
- Examples of how creativity has driven significant technological advancements.
- Fundamentals of Innovation II
- Emotional Intelligence and Entrepreneurship: Definition and importance of emotional intelligence in entrepreneurship.
- The role of emotional intelligence in decision-making leadership.
- Practical exercises to develop emotional intelligence.
- Innovation and Business Models I
- Innovation Management in Business: Introduction to innovation management principles and its role in businesses.
- Identifying innovation drivers and their relationship with entrepreneurship.
- Case studies of companies that have successfully implemented innovative business models.
- Innovation and Business Models II
- Designing Innovative Business Models: Developing innovative business models for emerging technologies such as blockchain and 3D printing.
- Assessing the financial and strategic implications of new business models.
- Group exercises for creating and evaluating innovative business models.
- Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership I
- Data-Driven Innovation and Product Design: Using data analysis and product design to drive innovation in entrepreneurship.
- Practical examples of data-driven decision-making in business.
- Case studies showcasing successful entrepreneurial ventures based on data and design.
- Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership II
- Leading Collaborative Innovation Projects: Leading collaborative innovation projects and the role of entrepreneurial leadership.
- Effective team dynamics and communication in innovation.
- Learning from both successful and failed collaborative innovation projects.
- Entrepreneurial Communication Strategies I
- Effective Communication for Technology: Developing persuasive communication strategies for technology-based ventures.
- Using corporate storytelling and design thinking in technology-related communication.
- Practical exercises on creating impactful communication plans.
- Entrepreneurial Communication Strategies II
- Engaging Stakeholders through Corporate Stories: The power of corporate storytelling in engaging stakeholders.
- Examples of successful corporate story-driven communication.
- Group discussions on how to apply corporate stories to technology-driven ventures.
- Solving Complex Problems I
- Problem-Solving in Technology: Applying problem-solving concepts to technological challenges, including machine learning and robotics.
- Case studies demonstrating effective problem-solving strategies in the tech industry.
- Group exercises for hands-on problem-solving in technology.
- Solving Complex Problems II
- Leveraging Data Analysis and Simulations: Using data analysis and simulations to address complex technological problems.
- Practical application of data-driven decision-making in technology.
- Case studies on how data-driven solutions have driven innovation.
- Between Innovation, Ethics, and Sustainability I
- Ethical Innovation and Sustainability: Exploring the intersection of innovation, ethics, and sustainability in technologies like renewable energy and sustainable mobility.
- Identifying ethical and environmental challenges in technological solutions.
- Examples of innovations that promote ethical and sustainable practices.
- Between Innovation, Ethics, and Sustainability II
- Assessing Environmental and Social Impact: Methods for assessing the environmental and social impact of technologies.
- Practical exercises in evaluating the sustainability of tech-driven solutions.
- Case studies of technology initiatives that have positively impacted the environment and society.
Module leaders
Scientific responsibility: Anita Macauda, University of Bologna
Anita Macauda is a senior assistant professor in the Department of Education Studies at the University of Bologna specialising in General Teaching and Educational Technologies. She is also an executive member of the “AI and Education”, scientific unit of the Alma Mater Research Institute for Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (ALMA HUMAN AI).
Courses she teaches include Digital Environments, Museums and Heritage Education Iconography and Iconology, and Teaching Methods: Introduction to Didactic Mediation Models for Secondary Schools.
Anita has played a key role in projects such as Promote Education, Participation and Projects for Youth (PEPPY) and INTERSTICE, a pan-European project promoting encounters between teachers, artists and children to improve learning processes and develop a pedagogy of co-creation.
Part of the Digital4Business ecosystem
This elective module of the Digital4Business online master’s programme will empower you to bring creativity and innovation to your organisation, making it more agile and competitive. Learn the principles and practice of innovation through engaging emerging technologies and case studies so you can apply your learning to your own enterprise for meaningful and measurable results.
FAQ
Minimum C1 English proficiency, plus 2 years' work or education in an English-speaking environment. IELTS: 6.0; TOEFL PBT: 600; TOEFL CBT: 200; TOEFL iBT: 100
Applicants need a suitable cognate EQF Level 6 qualification (e.g. STEM, economics, etc.). Description of the eight EQF levels Those without such a qualification will undergo an interview and assessment to determine the suitability of their certifications, other qualifications, and/or professional experience.
This EU-funded programme is open to all EU nationals with a passport or valid ID from one of the 27 EU countries