ECONOMICS OF INNOVATION
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Suggested pre-requisites:
Basic knowledge of mathematics, microeconomics and statistics.
The exam (the same for both attending and non-attending students) will be carried out remotely via MS-Teams in the form of a Moodle Quiz (that will be created on the e-learning webpage of the course) that will consist of 2 “exercises” (composed of a series of numerical and multiple choice questions), and 2 “open questions” with a blank online form to be filled with text.
The exercises and questions must be answered in 2 hours and will concern all the topics covered during the lectures and exercise sessions, with the exception of the R practical session (which will not be part of the exam).
The answers to the questions and exercises will be evaluated based on their completeness and correctness.
Students will have the option to participate to a workshop of students’ presentations (in groups of maximum 3 members) organized at the end of the course that will contribute to their final grade.
In case of positive evaluation, students presenting in the workshop will have the option to answer only 2 (1 open question and 1 exercise) out of 4 questions/problems during the final written exam in 1h.
Partial exams will be scheduled at the end of each module.
Technological innovation has been always considered an important driver of economic growth.
The objective of this course is to offer an introduction to the main topics of the Economics of Innovation, by providing the main concepts and tools to understand and interpret the main economic drivers and consequences of technical change.
At the end of the course the students will be able to:
1. autonomously interpret and critically discuss several topics related to the Economics of Innovation such as:
• What is innovation and how do we measure it?
• What is the link between innovation and economic growth?
• What is the relationship between patents and innovation?
• What role governments and universities play in the innovation ecosystem?
• How does firm competition impact on innovation?
2. to visualize and analyze innovation data using several statistical techniques and econometric tools applied on different data sources.
3. to review the literature, collect data and produce descriptive empirical analysis to shed light on some specific issues;
4. to develop and strengthen skills in preparing public oral presentations and to sharpen their critical listening.
The course will cover the following topics organized in 10 lectures of about 4h each.
MODULE I
1 Introduction, basic concepts and definitions. Innovation in the history of economic thought. (4 hours)
2 Knowledge and technological innovation: characteristics, sources, measurements, and stylized facts. (4 hours)
3 Innovative firms and innovation systems: how technologies (co)evolve. (4 hours)
4 Appropriability and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs). (4 hours)
5 Innovation, markets and firm performances. (4 hours)
MODULE II
6 The financing of R&D and innovation: problems and market failures.
7 Innovation diffusion and network externalities. (4 hours)
8 Open innovation and globalization. Models of economic growth. (4 hours)
Practical and PC lab sessions will take place in the following ways:
9 Laboratory: analyzing innovation data with R. (4 hours)
10 Practical sessions: students working in groups and presenting in a workshop. (4 hours)
In addition there will be 4 sessions of practical exercises (of 2.5 hours each) held by Dr. Daniele Crotti for a total of 10 hours.
.
• Greenhalgh, C., & Rogers, M. (2010). Innovation, intellectual property, and economic growth. Princeton University Press (GR).
• Dosi, G., & Nelson, R. R. (2010). Technical change and industrial dynamics as evolutionary processes. Chapter 3 in Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, 1, 51-127 (DN).
• Slides and additional readings that will be provided during the course at the end of each lecture and uploaded on the e-learning platform.
8 Frontal lectures in class of 4 hours each for a total of 32 hours.
1 Practical session in lab for a total of 4 hours: students will be introduced to the basic tools of the statistical software R and guided in a data visualization and analysis session on innovation data.
1 Workshop of students' presentations in groups for a total of 4 hours: the aim of this workshop is to stimulate students to autonomously review the literature and collect data on specific topics, in order to produce descriptive empirical analysis; to shed light on some specific issues; to develop and strengthen skills in preparing and presenting public oral presentations and to sharpen student skills in critical listening.
4 Exercise sessions (by Dr. Daniele Crotti) of 2.5 hours each for a total of 10 hours: the aim of this session is to provide a “refresh” on some basic topics of microeconomics. They will consist in guided practical exercises on the topics covered during the lectures, followed by take home exercises to be solved autonomously by the students in order to self-assess their advancements
NB: The syllabus can be subject to modifications and changes during the course. Please check periodically the course page on e-learning for possible changes and communications from the instructor.
Office hours: normally on Thursday morning: 10:30-12.30.
Department of Economics, Monte Generoso building, first floor, room 25).
For organizational reasons, students must always send an email (andrea.vezzulli@uninsubria.it) in advance for scheduling a meeting with the instructor (either within or outside the office hours indicated above)
For being updated on possible changes in the office hours please check also the instructor's webpage: https://www.uninsubria.it/hpp/andrea.vezzulli
Professors
Borrowers
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Degree course in: GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT
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Degree course in: GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT