Introductory description

This is an elective module available for WBS and non-WBS students. To find detailed availability and to apply for this module, log in to my.wbs.ac.uk using your normal IT login details and apply via the my.wbs module application system. Once you’ve secured a place on my.wbs you should apply via your home department’s usual process, which usually takes place via eVision. Note that you do not require the module leader’s permission to study a WBS module, so please do not contact them to request it.

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.

The main aim of this module is to offer a broad perspective on design thinking and digital innovation. The sessions cover:
Introduction, key concepts, tensions, and cases of design thinking and digital innovation
Designing digital innovations: design inquiry and innovation insights gathering techniques
Practical design workshops
Managing and scaling digital innovations

Learning outcomes

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

• Understand frameworks for innovation in digital service and product settings
• Understand the organising logic of digital innovation and its implications for managing digital ventures
• Understand design as a tool for technological innovation
• Choose and apply relevant theoretical frameworks to analyse specific cases.

Indicative reading list

Boland, R.J., and Collopy, F. 2004a. "Design Matters for Management," in: Managing as Designing, R.J. Boland and F. Collopy
(eds.). Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, pp. 3-18.
Boland, R. J., and Fred Collopy. 2004b "Toward a design vocabulary for management." Managing as designing (2004): 265-276.
Felin, T., and Zenger, T.R. 2014. "Closed or Open Innovation? Problem Solving and the Governance Choice," Research Policy
(43:5), pp. 914-925.
Kolko, J. 2015. "Design Thinking Comes of Age," Harvard Business Review (September), pp 66-71.
Liedtka, J., and Ogilvie, T. 2010. "Ten Tools for Design Thinking " Darden Business Publishing (Case: UVA-BP-0550 ).
Martin, R. 2009. "Transforming the Corporation: The Design of Procter & Gamble - How Design Thinking Turned the Business
Around " Harvard Business Case (Case: 5502BC The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking Is the Next Competitive
Advantage).
Morgan, L., and Finnegan, P. 2014. "Beyond Free Software: An Exploration of the Business Value of Strategic Open Source," The
Journal of Strategic Information Systems (23:3), pp. 226-238.
Quah, D. 2003. "Digital Goods and the New Economy," in New Economy Handbook, D. Jones (ed.). Academic Press Elsevier
Science, pp. 289-321.
Saebi, T., and Foss, N.J. 2014. "Business Models for Open Innovation: Matching Heterogeneous Open Innovation Strategies with
Business Model Dimensions," European Management Journal (33:3), pp. 201-213.
Thomke, S., and Feinberg, B. 2009. "Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple " Harvard Business Case (Case: 9-609-066 ).
Yoo, Y., Henfridsson, O., and Lyytinen, K. 2010. "The New Organizing Logic of Digital Innovation: An Agenda for Information
Systems Research," Information Systems Research (21:4), pp 724-735.
Yoo, Y., and Kim, K. 2015. "How Samsung Became a Design Powerhouse," Harvard Business Review (September), pp 72-78.

Subject specific skills

To review key challenges in effectively designing digital innovations.
Experiment with and reflect on digital innovation and digital transformation to find sustainable solutions or to create sustainable value To be able to present a technology proposal, highlighting strengths and weaknesses of designs leading to a balanced view and recommendation.

Transferable skills

Learn how to conduct design inquiry.
Practice and demonstrate key transferable employability skills, in particular effective teamwork, effective
communication skills and an appreciation for the need of social and environmental sustainability, underpinned by
ethical considerations