Using a Systems of Innovation approach the module aims to provide students with an in-depth theoretical understanding of the economics and management of knowledge and innovation. The role of knowledge, learning, and innovation in economic growth and development in the context of globalisation will be a central theme of this module. Similarly, the development of an understanding of the social, interactive and systemic character of the processes of knowledge creation and diffusion are central to this module. The module will therefore focus on the relationship between different types of business systems and social organisation at different levels of aggregation (i.e. the nation, the region, the industrial sector) in both developed and developing countries and the creation and diffusion of knowledge, innovation and technological change. The impact of globalisation processes on innovation systems will also be studied through an analysis of knowledge flows in global value chains. Key theoretical concepts will be applied to different industries as well as national and regional innovation systems in order to critically evaluate their theoretical and practical relevance.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the nature and dynamics of innovation as a systemic process taking place within and across firms;
• critically analyse the main characteristics of innovation systems at the sector, regional and national levels;
• compare, contrast and evaluate the nature of different national, regional and sectoral innovation systems through case studies;
• critically analyse the impact of contemporary processes of globalisation on the creation and diffusion of knowledge in global value chains and on national and regional systems of innovation