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ENGINEERING TRIPOS PART IIB - 2009/2010

Module 4E1 - Technological Innovation

Leader:	Dr EW Garnsey (ewg@eng) & Dr THW Minshall (thwm100@eng)
Timing:	Michaelmas Term
Prerequisites:	None
Structure:	Four 3.5-hour sessions (total 14 hours) + one 2-hour guide to coursework session
Assessment:	*Material / Format / Timing / Marks* Coursework / Report / Start of Lent Term / 100 %

AIMS

This course addresses technological innovation and the ways industries emerge and change as they mature. It examines these issues from a research and an application standpoint. Key issues include the commercialisation of technical projects, the transfer of technologies from the lab to the market, the diffusion of innovation, the management of technological innovation on an international scale.

LECTURE SYLLABUS

Session One: Emergence and evolution of new industries

Introduction to the module
Identification of typical changes as a new industry emerges and matures
Identification of the key drivers of these developments
Understanding the role of technology standards
Case study: the PC industry

Session Two: Types of innovation

Types of innovation; product, process, business models, et al.
Technological combination and speciation
Examples of key process innovations
Case study: materials and process innovations

Session Three: Knowledge, investment and new industries

New firms versus incumbents
Alliances and partnerships
Technology transfer
Investment
Case study: Biotechnology

Session Four: Evolving markets for innovation

Markets for innovations
Adoption of innovations by users/consumers
Consumer networks and tipping points
Investment and instability
Case study: The Internet

Session Five: Getting the most out of your coursework

Review of module
Options for coursework
Report structure
Sources of evidence

OBJECTIVES

Have an appreciation of how technologies create and are shaped by industries and markets.
Be able to select and apply the appropriate means to analyse industry trends and technological developments
Understand several important emerging industries and the interaction of technological innovations with their development.

REFERENCES

Additional resources for this module can be found at: http://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/ctm/teaching/4e1.html

Please see the Booklist for Group E Courses for references for this module.

Last updated: September 2009

teaching-office@eng.cam.ac.uk