Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE IOT3100

 
TITLE Creative Thinking and Innovation

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT The Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation

 
DESCRIPTION In today's rapidly changing environment, organisations need people who are flexible and creative thinkers to ensure a healthy and competitive future. Innovation is no longer a nice-to have add-on, but is regarded as essential for SMEs and large organisations alike.

This study-unit focuses on creativity and innovation within organisations. Students shall learn how creative ideas can be turned into innovations. They shall explore the factors that that make an organisation innovative, and shall identify the barriers that hinder organisational innovation.

Study-Unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to highlight the conditions which facilitate organisational innovation, and how obstacles to innovation that exist within organisations can be overcome.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Explain the links between creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship;
- Demonstrate and critically evaluate the use of creative thinking tools and techniques for idea generation;
- Outline ways in which ideas could be encouraged and managed within an organisation.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Formulate a strategy for managing ideas within an organisation;
- Minimise barriers to organisational creativity and innovation.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Text:

- Goodman, M. and Dingli, S. (2013) Creativity and Strategic Innovation Management, Routledge.

Supplementary Readings:

- Majaro, Simon (1989) The Creative Gap, Longman Trade/Caroline House.
- Tidd, J., Bessant, J. & Pavitt, K. (2005). Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological and Organization Change. 3rd ed. Hoboken: Wiley. London.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (15 Minutes) Yes 30%
Assignment Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Kristina Buhagiar
Keith Coleiro

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit