Introductory description

This module is only open to WBS undergraduate students, and some students taking joint degrees with WBS and another department. Students from other departments cannot take this module. 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 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 the module is to learn how to use collaborate, creative, design digital technology, and entrepreneurial skills to develop a new digital innovation concept with business potential.
Themes and topics will include:

• Core concepts and models of innovation, and then specifically, models of, and approaches to digital innovation
  Underlying concepts around technological change and innovation such as: paradigm theory, the concept of “disruption”, futurist visions of digital innovation and change such as Kurzwel’s The Technological Singularity
• Models of, and approaches to Design Thinking applied to Digital Innovation
• The core concept of “disruptive change”
• Approaches to Technology Forecasting and Assessment, applied to the digital world
• The Context and theory of Digital Transformation
  Evolving themes of digital innovation e.g. Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Big Data, The Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Horizontal Trust innovation such as Blockchain
• New approaches to digital innovation such as agile prototyping, scrum methods and hackathons
• Organising for Digital Innovation in both large corporations and startups, including new models of organisation design such as Holacracy
• Ethical and sustainability issues in digital innovation

Learning outcomes

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

• Analyse and critically assess digital innovation processes
• Demonstrate and evaluate innovation and problem-solving skills
• Show critical awareness of digital innovation tools and methods

Indicative reading list

Anders Hjalmarsson, A., Juell-Skielse, G, and Johannesson, P., 2017, Open Digital Innovation A Contest Driven Approach - Progress in IS, Springer,
Kim, W.C., and Mauborgne, R. 2015. Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press
Levy, J.,2015, UX Strategy: How to Devise Innovative Digital Products that People Want, O’Reilly Media
Levy, P. 2015, Digital Inferno, Clairview Books
Maximini, D., 2018, The Scrum Culture: Introducing Agile Methods in Organizations (Management for Professionals), Springer Nambisan, S, Lyytinen K. Majchrzak A, and Song M., - Mis Quarterly, 2017, Digital innovation management: Reinventing innovation management research in a digital world. - misq.org
Whittington, D.,2018, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Cambridge University Press,

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate design and entrepreneurial skills
Demonstrate practical skills needed to develop a digital innovation concept and prototype
Critically evaluate the use of tools used for designing digital innovations

Transferable skills

Demonstrate and evaluate innovation and problem-solving skills
Show critical awareness of digital innovation tools and methods