MST-51306 Economics of Science and Technology

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lecture16
Tutorial28
Group work28
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. T Lans
Lecturer(s)dr. ir. T Lans
dr. KA Poldner
Examiner(s)dr. KA Poldner
prof. dr. WA Dolfsma

Language of instruction:

English

Continuation courses:

MST-24306 Introduction Business management and marketing; MST-23306 The Basics of entrepreneurship; ECS-51306 Human Resource Development; MST-32306 Strategic Change management; ECS-57206 Human Resource Management.

Contents:

This course will familiarize students with the interplay between the production of science and technology and the commercialization of academic knowledge. It will help students to understand the triple helix of science, business and government and how the three domains can be aligned. To achieve this, we will look at how 'selling science' occurs, from three perspectives: the individual, the organisation and society at large. From the perspective of the individual, the question is what makes the scientist an 'entrepreneurial scientist' - a scientist that transforms science to technology? What roles and associated competencies of scientists are needed to take research and inventions to the market place, for instance by patenting, licensing or spin-offs? What is the importance of social competence in opportunity recognition and exploitation (e.g. selling ideas and results)? From the perspective of organizations that do fundamental and applied research, the question is - what type of business models will promote an innovative climate that can boost local economies? From the perspective of society the relevant inquiry is under which conditions there is a link between science and technology, how it manifests itself and what public policies can do to strengthen it. Innovation and innovation management, knowledge and knowledge management, different approaches and best practices in the field of technology transfer and public-private partnerships will be discussed.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand the role and behavior of science, public policy and business in the transfer and commercialization of science and technology;
- analyse the gaps between science and business by applying concepts and models from the domain of innovation, knowledge management and business models;
- Understand and critically evaluate the links between business model, their innovation and technology;
- understand that certain types of organizational systems, structure and practices hamper innovation, whilst others enhance it;
- appreciate that innovation can be nurtured and developed in the organization through processes of education, training and the use of tools and techniques for innovation and creativity.

Activities:

The course activities consists of the following elements:
- course work and lectures: discussing the relevant literature in the field of academic entrepreneurship, knowledge transfer etc.;
- guest lectures of entrepreneurial scientists and professionals in the field of knowledge transfer;
- problem-oriented activities:
a) students will have to work on cases of various innovation and knowledge transfer issues;
b) students will create a video, observing and analysing competences and skills of entrepreneurial scientists.
- discussion and presentations: students will present and discuss their case studies with the rest of the students and lecturers;
- literature study.

Examination:

Report and presentation of group assignments (100%).
Each component needs a Minimum mark of 5.5 to pass.

Literature:

Made available via Blackboard.

MinorPeriod
Compulsory for: WUINEBSc Minor Innovation and Entrepreneurship3WD