Innovation for Sustainability

BMAN70372 Innovation for Sustainability 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Sally Gee Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 Society is facing a number of pressing sustainability challenges including climate change, dwindling biodiversity, and the degradation of air, water and soil quality.  Many business leaders already recognise that commercial organisations must play a key role in addressing these problems. In this context successful managers are moving beyond the mind-set of limiting harm and managing risk, to proactively driving innovation to address these problems. In addition to the pace of innovation, sustainability-oriented innovation must take into account the directionality of change. This requires the identification and conceptualisation of key sustainability problems and potential solutions, as well as understanding how to communicate the need to drive change. The course will introduce students to key concepts, frameworks and exemplar cases to develop understanding of sustainability-oriented innovation as a multi-actor process involving the development and diffusion of environmentally sustainable and socially responsible products, services and practices. The aim of the module is to introduce students to key concepts, frameworks and exemplar cases to develop understanding of sustainability-oriented innovation as a multi-actor process involving the development and diffusion of environmentally sustainable and socially responsible products, services and practices. At the end of this course unit students should be able to:Knowledge and understanding.•           understand critically the challenges associated with environmental sustainability and (specifically) climate change for firm competitiveness;•           appreciate the role of innovation in responding to these challengesIntellectual skills.•           appreciate different perspectives on environmental sustainability and sustainable innovation•           apply a holistic and systemic approach to investigating complex, "messy" open-ended problems•           apply the common approaches, frameworks and analytical techniques used in the assessment of sustainable innovation, which is often complex, multi-faceted and uncertainPractical skills.•           Apply and develop self-directed learning and information literacy skills.Transferable skills and personal qualities.•           acquire research, analysis and organisational skills through the enquiry based coursework including formulation, implementation and write-up of a substantive management report.•           work both individually and collaboratively as a member of a team, contributing to the development of effective team dynamics and project management processes.•           Demonstrate skills in communicating ideas and making arguments in writing and verbally.  <ul><li>Explain the challenges associated with environmental sustainability and (specifically) climate change for firm competitiveness</li><li class="pf0">Explain the role of innovation in responding to these challenges</li></ul> <ul><li class="pf0">Distinguish between different perspectives on environmental sustainability and sustainable innovation</li><li class="pf0">Apply a holistic and systemic approach to investigating complex, ‘"messy’" open-ended problems</li><li class="pf0">Apply the common approaches, frameworks and analytical techniques used in the assessment of sustainable innovation, which is often complex, multi-faceted and uncertain.</li></ul> <ul><li class="pf0">Apply and develop self-directed learning and information literacy skill</li></ul> <ul><li class="pf0">Demonstrate research, analysis and organisational skills through the enquiry- based coursework.</li><li class="pf0">Demonstrate skills in communicating ideas and making arguments in writing and verbally</li></ul> This unit is organised in three parts:In the first part we consider the context within which sustainable innovation takes place.The second part explores processes of sustainable innovation from the perspective of business, and the third takes a broader systemic view of innovation for sustainability. This course is delivered through a combination of 1) in-person and recorded lecture podcasts; 2) interactive Q&A and discussion and 3) interactive teaching sessions where we will undertake interactive activities, including discussion of key readings and student presentations. 0 Other 100% 50% individual report (1500 words)50% group presentation   Informal advice and discussion during a lecture, seminar, workshop or lab.Responses to student emails and questions from a member of staff including feedback provided to a group via an online discussion forum.Written and/or verbal comments on assessed or non-assessed coursework.Written and/or verbal comments after students have given a group or individual presentation. BMAN70372 Programme Req: BMAN70372 is only available as an elective to students on MSc IME N You are not expected to have any specialist technological or sustainability knowledge. We will take time to introduce you to issues related to sustainability and some of the main technologies that firms need to get to grips with at the start of the 21 century.There is no core text for the lectures. All relevant readings will be posted online or can be obtained through links via the annotated lecture slides.  The Handbook of Sustainable Innovation (2019), edited by Boons and McMeekin, captures up to date expert knowledge on different topics across the field of sustainable innovation, and will form the basis for several of our seminar sessions. A full list of readings to be presented and discussed during seminar sessions is available online. Sustainable Business by Kopnina, Padfield and Mylan (2023) gives an overview of some key themes in relation to sustainability. Lectures 30 0 120 Informal Contact MethodOffice Hours