Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE IOT5037

 
TITLE Innovation Adoption and Diffusion

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT The Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit addresses the basic concepts underlying innovation adoption and diffusion. It introduces the principles of ‘Innovation Diffusion’ theory, explores the elements of diffusion and the types of adopters in the innovation diffusion cycle and analyses how innovations emerge and diffuse within an innovation system. Practical examples and case studies are used to illustrate perspectives on adoption and diffusion of innovations in different contexts.

The scope of enquiry explores the wider framework within which innovations arise, and assesses how conditions in the contextual environment may influence the direction and speed of innovation adoption and diffusion. It reviews the research and innovation policy landscape, with some reference to smart specialisation and assesses how this influences the emergence and diffusion of innovation.

Study-unit Aims:

- Familiarize students with the basic concepts underlying diffusion of innovation theory;
- Explore the dynamic interplay between factors internal to an organization and the external conditions influencing the adoption and diffusion of innovations.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Explain the key elements of Diffusion of Innovation theory;
- Identify the factors that may enhance and constrain the diffusion of innovations;
- By using different analytical perspectives, evaluate and assess how innovations emerge and diffuse.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Apply concepts and frameworks underlying innovation diffusion theory;
- Critically assess the factors that influence the adoption and diffusion of innovation in different contexts.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Amabile T.M. (1996). Creativity and Innovation in Organizations. Harvard Business School Volume 5 (January), pp. 1-15.
- Damanpour F. (1991). Organizational Innovation: A Meta-Analysis of Effects of Determinants and Moderators. Academy of Management Journal, 34(3), 555-590.
- Greenlagh, T., Robert, G., Macfarlane, F., Bate, P. & Kyriakidou, O. (2004). Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: Systematic review and recommendations. The Milbank Quarterly, 24(4), 581-629.
- Rogers E., (2003). Diffusion of Innovations. NY: Free Press.
- Teece D. J. (2007). Explicating Dynamic Capabilities: The Nature and Microfoundations of (Sustainable) Enterprise Performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28, 1319-1350.

Supplementary Readings:

- Additional papers and chapters relevant to specific topics covered in the module shall be provided to the students in the course of the programme and will be made available on VLE.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation (15 Minutes) SEM1 Yes 30%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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