Economics of Innovation

The course provides the tools to understand the dynamics of innovation and product technologies for business competitiveness, particularly concerning production chains. SUMMARY OF TOPICS AND OBJECTIVES 1) Natural Resources, Reserves and Raw Materials: Natural Assets and Natural Resources; Classification of Natural Resources; Raw Materials, Resource Scarcity and the Need for Sustainable Development 2) Technologies: new technologies and their economic, social and environmental impact; applications of new technologies to production processes; technology and organization of production: from Taylorism to Fordism to Toyotism; organizational models. 3) Technological innovation: the origins of technological innovation; sources of innovation; forms and patterns of innovation; technological cycles; strategic orientation to innovation. 4) Quality and certifications: evolution of the quality concept; Iso certifications and the certification process. 5) Production chains: definition of the production chain; types of production chains; from control to the management of production chains; technological innovation in production chains EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES. 1) Knowledge and understanding skills. Knowledge of the impact of innovation on production processes and new technologies with particular reference to production chains 2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Learning the tools needed to properly and efficiently implement innovation tools in production chains in light of new technologies. 3) Autonomy of judgment. Knowing how to identify new technologies and the effects of innovation in processes, especially manufacturing processes. 4) Communication skills. Ability to transfer acquired knowledge and mastery of the subject matter. 5) Learning skills. Ability to transfer acquired knowledge through the application of case studies.