1. Explain key theories of innovation and enterprise within organisational contexts.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Analyse how innovation operates within different organisational environments.

Application & Problem-Solving;

3. Examine the role of entrepreneurial ecosystems in venture development.

Knowledge & Understanding; Research Skills

4. Evaluate basic strategies used to protect and capture value from innovation

Application & Problem-Solving; Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

Assessment 1: Innovation Case Presentation

Assessment Overview

For this assessment, you will deliver an individual presentation analysing innovation within a real organisation.

You are required to:

Explain relevant theories of innovation and enterprise.

Analyse how innovation operates within your chosen organisation.

This assessment develops your ability to apply theory to practice and communicate innovation analysis clearly and professionally.

Task Requirements

You must:

Select a real organisation (corporate, SME, start-up, or social enterprise).

Identify at least one relevant innovation theory or model covered in the module.

Explain the chosen theory clearly and accurately.

Analyse how innovation operates within your selected organisation using that theory.

Support your analysis with appropriate academic and industry sources.

Presentation Structure:

You may structure your presentation as follows:

Introduction to the organisation

Explanation of relevant innovation theory

Application of theory to the organisation

Analysis of how innovation operates in that context

Key insights and conclusion

Expectations

Your presentation should:

Demonstrate clear understanding of innovation theory.

Show analytical depth when examining the organisation.

Use academic sources appropriately.

Be professionally structured and clearly delivered.

Use visual slides effectively (not text-heavy).



Formative Assessment opportunities:

Formative support for Assessment 1 will include a guided workshop in which students apply a selected innovation theory to a chosen organisation and outline their presentation structure. Students will also take part in a short practice presentation activity, receiving feedback on clarity of explanation, use of theory, and analytical focus prior to submission.



Assessment 2: Innovation Decision Paper (Scenario-Based)

Assessment Overview

For this assessment, you will respond to a tutor-provided innovation scenario.

You will analyse the situation presented and make a justified innovation decision.

This assessment requires you to:

Examine the entrepreneurial ecosystem described in the scenario

Evaluate strategies for protecting and capturing value from innovation



The Scenario

You will be given a short case describing:

An organisation with a new innovation.

Its competitive environment.

Key stakeholders.

Strategic options (e.g., patent, partnership, licensing, rapid market entry).



What You Must Do

Examine the Innovation Ecosystem

Identify key external actors in the scenario (e.g., competitors, investors, regulators, partners).

Explain how these actors influence the organisation’s innovation.

Use relevant theory from the module to support your examination.



This section focuses on understanding the innovation environment.

Evaluate Value Protection Options

Identify at least two possible strategies for protecting or capturing value.

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each option.

Recommend one strategy.

Justify your decision clearly.

This section requires reasoned judgement, not description.

Suggested Structure

Brief Introduction (context summary)

Examination of Innovation Ecosystem

Evaluation of Strategic Options

Recommendation and Justification

Short Conclusion

Expectations

You are expected to:

Demonstrate understanding of innovation theory.

Apply theory appropriately to the scenario.

Provide clear and logical reasoning.

Use academic sources to support your evaluation.

Stay within the word limit.



Formative Assessment opportunities:

Formative preparation for Assessment 2 will include a guided scenario exercise and an ecosystem mapping activity, enabling students to practise examining innovation environments and evaluating value protection strategies in a structured and supported setting.

Innovation Theory

Types of innovation (incremental, disruptive, open innovation)

Innovation diffusion

Technology adoption models

Entrepreneurial ecosystems

Corporate Entrepreneurship

Intrapreneurship

Innovation in existing firms

Innovation culture

Organisational barriers to innovation

Enterprise Ecosystems

Role of government

Funding landscapes

Incubators & accelerators

Entrepreneurial networks

Intellectual Property & Value Capture

Basic IP types

Protecting innovation

Appropriation strategies

Discover how innovation really works inside organisations and across entrepreneurial ecosystems. This module explores how businesses generate new ideas, respond to competitive environments, and turn innovation into sustainable value. You will examine key innovation theories and evaluate how organisations protect and profit from their innovations.

Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and future innovators, this module builds your confidence in analysing real-world innovation challenges and prepares you for advanced venture development study.

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 300 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 72 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 228 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks. Learning support material will be provided for the module.

The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving and self-directed learning.

In addition to formal teaching, the module emphasises collaborative learning through group discussions and workshops.

Self-directed learning plays a crucial role in the module, with students encouraged to explore extensive online resources, digital libraries, and the module’s Blackboard system. This independent study component fosters digital literacy and research proficiency, allowing students to consolidate their learning at their own pace while preparing for assessments.

Tidd, J. and Bessant, J. (2021) Managing Innovation: Integrating Technological, Market and Organisational Change. 7th edn. Wiley.

Schilling, M.A. (2022) Strategic Management of Technological Innovation. 7th edn. McGraw-Hill.

Johnson, S. (2010) Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation. Penguin.

Isenberg, D.J. (2010) ‘How to Start an Entrepreneurial Revolution’, Harvard Business Review, 88(6), pp. 40–50.

Ries, E. (2011) The Lean Startup. Crown Business