The objective of the course is to analyse innovation as an economic phenomenon by considering the features of technological change, its role in different economic theories, the mechanisms of innovation, the effect of innovation on economic growth and employment, the role of innovation in firms’ strategies and in the evolution of economic systems.

1- Definitions, basic concepts and technological paradigms; 2 – Innovation in economic theories; 3 – Neoclassical models of innovation; 4 – The innovative firm; 5 – Sectoral technological regimes; 6 – National systems of innovation; 7 – Diffusion of innovation; 8 – Increasing returns from adoption; 9 – Innovation and economic growth; 10 – Innovation and employment; 11 – Public policies for innovation; 12 – Innovation in the fourth industrial revolution; 13 – Innovation in services and in the public sector

Economia Politica

Knowledge and ability to understand: the course will provide general knowledge about economic theories of technological change and about innovative activities.

Applied knowledge and ability to understand: the course will provide the basis to be able to apply general knowledge to actual cases regarding innovative activities.

Critical thinking: the ability to critically evaluate issues related to technological change is required.

Communication capabilities: a good ability to report the acquired knowledge is required.

Capability to learn: the course will develop the ability to learn, combining theoretical and practical approaches to innovation activities.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

In-class lectures, seminars

Innovative teaching methods

The standard in-class lecture will be complemented with practical activities and team works carried out with the support of the Moodle platform. Some of the topics will be approached with the "debate" technique.

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory but is strongly recommended

Course books

- Franco Malerba (ed.), Economia dell'innovazione, Carocci, Roma, 2002. Chapters 1, 2, 8, 11, 13.

- Jan Fagerberg, David Mowery e Richard Nelson (eds.), Innovazione. Imprese, industrie, economie, Carocci, Roma, 2007. Chapters 2, 6, 8, 9.

- Francesca Lotti e Valentina Meliciani, Dinamiche industriali, il Mulino, Bologna, 2021. Chapters 4, 5, 6

- Patrizio Bianchi, 4.0 La nuova rivoluzione industriale, il Mulino, Farsi Un’Idea, 2018. Chapters 3, 4, 5

- Richard Baldwin, Rivoluzione globotica. Globalizzazione, robotica e futuro del lavoro, il Mulino, 2019 [optional]
- Edward W. Steinmueller, Economics of technology policy. Chapter 28 in (eds. Bronwyn H. Hall, Nathan Rosenberg) Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, 2010, Volume 2. Elsevier [in English]

Further reading will be assigned in class.

Assessment

The assessment of learning is evaluated by means of a written exam that could be complemented with an oral exam.

Evaluation criteria are: i. mastery of knowledge; ii. ability to argue; iii. ability to be sinthetic.

Each criterion is evaluated by means of 4-levels evaluations.

The final grade is reported in /30.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

In-class lectures, seminars

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory but is strongly recommended

Course books

- Franco Malerba (ed.), Economia dell'innovazione, Carocci, Roma, 2002. Chapters 1, 2, 8, 11, 13.

- Jan Fagerberg, David Mowery e Richard Nelson (eds.), Innovazione. Imprese, industrie, economie, Carocci, Roma, 2007. Chapters 2, 6, 8, 9.

- Francesca Lotti e Valentina Meliciani, Dinamiche industriali, il Mulino, Bologna, 2021. Chapters 4, 5, 6

- Patrizio Bianchi, 4.0 La nuova rivoluzione industriale, il Mulino, Farsi Un’Idea, 2018. Chapters 3, 4, 5

- Richard Baldwin, Rivoluzione globotica. Globalizzazione, robotica e futuro del lavoro, il Mulino, 2019 [optional]
- Edward W. Steinmueller, Economics of technology policy. Chapter 28 in (eds. Bronwyn H. Hall, Nathan Rosenberg) Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, 2010, Volume 2. Elsevier [in English]

Further reading will be assigned in class.

Assessment

The assessment of learning is evaluated by means of a written exam that could be complemented with an oral exam.

Evaluation criteria are: i. mastery of knowledge; ii. ability to argue; iii. ability to be sinthetic.

Each criterion is evaluated by means of 4-levels evaluations.

The final grade is reported in /30.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.