Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

External organization:
The module builds on The Economics of Innovation at the BSc level. Where the BSc course emphasises theory and research questions that can be analysed with micro-econometrics, the MSc course goes down two alternate venues aiming at policy analysis: 1) The Systems of Innovation approach, which is to a large extent best suited for qualitative analysis. And 2) The simulation approach of evolutionary economics, which emphasis agent based models.

Internal organization:
The course starts by placing the economics of innovation in the context of economics, as both a substitute and a complement to other approaches.
In session 2 and 3 we then explore theories of the firm and of innovation. These are building blocks for both the simulation approach and the innovation systems approach.
Sessions 4-6 are on simulation modelling. From the relatively simple but novel and heterodox models of the 1980s, to the large and complicated Schumpeter-Keynes models, and the use of ABMs in current practice.
Session 7-9 are on the systems approach. Again, from the novel and heterodox approaches of the 1980s up to the current regional focus, and the areas where the systems approach has become mainstream.

Common basics:

1) Schumpeterian economics. The economics of Innovation relative to other approaches in economics – the history of economic thought and theory of science.
2) Organizational behaviour 1: The theory of the firm
3) Organizational behaviour 2: Entrepreneurship. Innovation, new firm formation, and intra-preneurship.

Mathematical modelling

4) Agent based modelling 1. Simple models that we can do in R.
5) Agent based modelling 2. Models that are beyond scope to program manually at this level. Models are discussed and, potentially, experimented with.
6) Agent based modelling in other traditions. ABMs are used widely outside of the Schumpeterian tradition. Overview and comparison.

Systems of innovation

7) National systems of innovation as an alternative approach to the mainstream.
8) Regional systems of innovation and evolutionary economic geography.
9) Innovation eco-systems. The alternative approach becomes mainstream.

Learning objectives

Knowledge

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary knowledge on:

• Schumpeterian economics
• Knowledge of central concepts and theories

Skills

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary skills in:

• Skills to identify relevant research questions in the field.
• Skills to analyse a research question using ABM approach
• Skills to analyse a research question using the systems of innovation approach

Competences

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary competences in:

• Apply Schumpeterian approaches in own student projects and in practice
• Exploit Schumpeterian approaches as a complement to or substitute for other approaches in economics

Exam

Exams