Introductory description

This module is designed to develop in students an appreciation and understanding of how to successfully create more sustainable products, services, and business models.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to innovation, environmental sustainability and social responsibility Implications of the Sustainable Development Goals for the innovation of products, services, and processes Adopting a stakeholder-based approach to innovation Co-creation and user-centred approaches to innovation Integrating externally- and internally-driven approaches to sustainable development Generating and testing ideas for radically new products and services Linking agile, design thinking and lean start-up approaches to the sustainability agenda Technology and innovation for sustainability Sustainable business-model innovation Promoting a sustainability approach within and between organizations Innovation through sustainable supply chain management Creating a sustainable ecosystem of innovation How to design and implement relevant sustainability-related indicators

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Define the main concepts of sustainable innovation, and sustainable product and service development.
• Explain why innovation approaches, such as design thinking, agile, and the lean startup, are relevant from a sustainability point of view
• Identify the tensions that exist between financial, environmental, and social goals, particularly in relation to innovation
• Explain the difference between incremental and radical innovations (in the field of sustainable innovation)
• Critically compare the benefits and limitations of different innovation approaches and methods
• Assess the benefits and limitations of wider frameworks and concepts (e.g., cradle-to-cradle)

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Much of this module is rooted on recent and current research, also but not only from WBS faculty

Interdisciplinary

This module will connect with University-wide themes (sustainability) and design and engineering concepts covered in other departments.

International

Examples and case studies will relate to a variety of firms in different countries. External speakers will be drawn from several multinational companies too.

Subject specific skills

Compare and evaluate different approaches to New Product/Service Development Processes (e.g., Stage-Gate vs. more iterative ones) Effectively deploy innovation management tools and techniques Define and analyze the main types of innovation (radical vs. incremental; disruptive; user driven, user generated, and user / human-centred) in relation to environmental and social innovation

Transferable skills

Demonstrate written communication skills Demonstrate, leadership, team-building, project management and problem solving skills