Course coordinator
Dr Jonathan Staggs
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course provides an understanding of the importance of technological innovation for economic growth. It focuses on how businesses select and develop ideas, the research and development process, collaboration and open innovation, and the management of intellectual property.
The course draws on current insights into how novel business ideas are formed and shaped into promising new products for both existing and new ventures. To create and bring to market innovative ideas, entrepreneurs invest substantial resources in their creation without being certain their idea will be successful. How do entrepreneurs manage this process? What strategies do they use? What role does the innovativeness of their ideas play in the strategies they adopt? How do they maintain motivation when faced with setbacks? In this course, we tackle these questions by focusing on:
- Types of innovations and their market impact
- The importance of taking action, knowledge, learning and resources in the creation of innovative ideas
- How entrepreneurs make strategic decisions under uncertainty
- The management of intellectual property
By drawing on case studies, andﾠone's own experiences and ideas, students are encouraged to synthesize knowledge throughout the course to gain an in-depth understanding of the complexity of innovation process.
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course is offered to postgraduate students wishing to explore howﾠideas are generated, championed and implemented to convert perceived opportunities into tangible outcomes.ﾠWhile no pre-requisite courses are set, it is assumed students have an interest in, or aspiration to become engaged in, this process of generating and managing new ideas to exploit opportunities and to drive growth.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
TIMS7318
Restrictions
Quota: Minimum of 15 enrolments
Course contact
Lecturer
Dr Jonathan Staggs
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Ben Robra
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to provide students with foundational knowledge on the challenges entrepreneurs face, and the strategies they useﾠto bring innovative products and services to market.ﾠThe course is structured to consider contemporary and emerging theories and practice in innovation and idea management.
ﾠ
ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the challenges in creating and implementing innovative ideas.
LO2.
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of how uncertainty impacts the innovation process.
LO3.
Demonstrate awareness of how ideas and other forms of intellectual property can be protected.
LO4.
Apply critical thought skills and course content to real case examples in collaborative teams and present your findings in oral and written form.
LO5.
Demonstrate knowledge and respect of ethics and ethical standards in relation to global idea management.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection, Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Historical reflection on innovation
|
30% |
28/03/2025 1:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Idea Management Strategy
|
30% |
Week 11 - Week 12
Presentation documents must be submitted before the seminar in which the group is presenting. |
| Examination |
Idea Management Examination
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Historical reflection on innovation
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
28/03/2025 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05
Task description
For this assessment, students will be provided an article each week across Weeks 3-5 to help provide a historical perspective to the study of innovation and idea management. Students are expected to read the three assigned articles, engage in class discussion seminars and complete associated worksheets in Weeks 3-5, then critically reflect upon both the articles and what themes emerge from the in-class discussion.
- Week 3 - Hughes, 1983. Networks of Power Electrification in Western Society. Chapter 7. Berlin: The Coordination of Technology and Politics. pp175-200.
- Week 4 - Hargadon, A. & Douglas, Y. 2001. When Innovations Meet Institutions. pp 476-501.
- Week 5 - Raffaelli, R. 2019. Technology Re-emergence: Creating New Value for Old Technologies in Swiss Mechanical Watchmaking, 1970-2008. Administrative Science Quarterly . 64, 3, 576-618.
The reflection to be submitted should be 1500 words in total. Firstly, students should identify the enablers, obstacles, and dynamics of innovation in each of their three assigned articles- 3 x 400 words. Students are expected to demonstrate how this section has been informed by in-class discussions that will be conducted in Weeks 3-5 and are strongly encouraged to submit a picture of their worksheets in the appendix of their submission. Secondly, students should offer their own 300 word reflection which offers critical and/or ethical insights on idea management.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge with the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to help understand the evolution of technological innovation that is the focus of these scholarly references. The use of AI must be referenced appropriately.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Idea Management Strategy
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
Week 11 - Week 12
Presentation documents must be submitted before the seminar in which the group is presenting.
- Other conditions
- Peer assessed.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assignment encourages students to apply course concepts and theories to a real case where emerging technologies are being brought to the market. Students will be asked to form teams of a maximum of 6 students in Week 4 and choose one (1) emerging technological field. Teams should analyse their chosen technology from the viewpoint of a single firm.
Student teams are expected to deliver one (1) presentation in the Week 11 or 12 seminar - (8-minute presentations + 5-minute Q&A, depending on time). The structure of the presentation is as follows:
- Overview of the technology
- Source and type of innovation
- The firm's technology strategy
- Market opportunities and risks
Students should submit their PowerPoint presentation before the class they present it in. All students in team are expected to attend the presentation and be ready to field the questions posed by the teaching team and fellow students' questions after the presentation concludes.
Each team member is expected to make an equal contribution to the project and the presentation. At the beginning of the project, the team is required to develop a Team Charter that specifies the technology that has been chosen and a clear division of the roles in the project. At the end of the presentation, all team members will be required to complete a peer assessment of each other's performance and contribution to the evaluation. Instructions for how to do this will be provided in class.
Please Note: The presentation will be recorded for marking purposes per UQ Policy.
AI Statement:
Students are welcome to use generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the preliminary development of their presentations. However students are advised that the use of EIBS7301 scholarly resources is expected and the failure to meaningfully incorporate these course scholarly resources (available in Blackboard) may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit the Powerpoint using the Blackboard group submission portal
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Extensions or deferrals are not available for this presentation.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Late submissions are not accepted for in-class presentations. Failure to present at the scheduled time will result in a mark of zero for this assessment.
Idea Management Examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
Students are expected to critically reflect upon the concepts and activities of idea management in this end of semester examination. Students will be provided an exam case study in the final week of the semester and expected to analyse this case study in preparation for the final examination.
Students will be asked four (4) short-answer questions that appraise the internal and external management of an emerging technology. Two questions will be aimed at the case study firm’s idea management and internal management of technology. Two questions will be aimed at the external environment of the case study firm, recognising that ideas do not emerge in a vacuum. Students are expected to incorporate scholarly frameworks from the course in their answers.
More details will be provided on Blackboard.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Innovation and Ideas Course Overview; What does it mean to be innovative? Where do innovative ideas come from? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Types & Patterns of innovation Types & Patterns of innovation & an appraisal of 'creative destruction' Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Understanding Uncertainty The risk & uncertainty of innovation. Discussion of dominant designs and first-mover advantages and disadvantages Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Strategies for Managing Uncertainty Identifying core competence, dynamic capabilities & a firm's current position to exploit an opportunity Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Converting Uncertainty into Knowledge through R&D R&D strategies: Converting Uncertainty into Knowledge; Choosing Innovation Projects Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Managing teams and collaboration strategies Discussing new product development teams and collaboration strategies: How to exploit tangible and intangible sources of value effectively Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Managing Intellectual Property What is IP? Discussion of when (and if) to protect IP Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Organising for Innovation Discussion of the optimal size, structural and cultural dimensions of a firm that seeks to innovate Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Mid-sem break |
Seminar |
In-Semester Break |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Managing emerging technologies Understanding the obstacles to emerging technologies and the need for stakeholder engagement Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 10 |
Not Timetabled |
Team-based learning activity There will be no seminar this week due to the Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday 5 May 2025. Students are encouraged to meet in their teams this week to work on their selection and of an emerging technology and develop their presentation on the opportunities and challenges for their emerging technology. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Team Presentations Teams will be presenting Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Team Presentations II Teams will be presenting Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Course wrap up Students will be provided an overview of the course and guidance for the final assessment Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.