Insegnamento a.a. 2014-2015

Course Objectives

The course aims to provide the tools for understanding and analyzing innovation and industrial change. Topics to be discussed include the relationship among innovation, eco­nomic growth and economic development; the economics of patents and intellectual pro­perty rights; the role of innovation in the dynamics and evolution of industries; the rela­tionships between science and technology; the innovative enterprise, the new innovative start-ups ; the role of public policies with respect to innovation and industrial change.
Some introductory notions in basic microeconomics and industrial organization are required.
The class format is a mix of lectures and discussions. Students are expected to partici­pate actively in the discussions and to read the assigned material for each topic before class.
Seminars and student presentations on specific issues and technologies are organ­ized during the course.

Course Content Summary

• Introduction to innovation and industrial change.
• Market structure and innovation.
• Evolutionary theory of innovation and industrial change.
• The firm: learning, competence and innovation.
• Innovation in sectors.
• Innovation and industrial dynamics.
• Models of innovation and industry evolution.
• Demand and innovation.
• Measuring innovation.
• Patents and innovation.
• The decision to patent.
• Economics of science.
• The diffusion of innovation.
• Public policy for innovation and technology diffusion.

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

The exam consists of a written final exam and a paper.

The final mark is based on both final exam and the paper.

Textbooks

A list of readings is made available at the beginning of the course.

Prerequisites