Sociology of Innovation
Code
711081070
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Sociologia
Credits
6
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
1. Ability to reflect on the social dynamics of change and innovation, with emphasis on the portuguese case,
2. Ability to perform analyses on change and innovation, based on sociological theories in their relationship with other disciplines, with particular emphasis on organizations;
3. Ability to reflect on the innovative capacity of organizations, identifying the social processes associated, in particular the creation of new ideas, the organizational actors involved, the organizational constraints, and the extent of innovation;
4. In-depth knowledge of the above-mentioned aspects in an analytical, reflective and critical perspective, taking into account the complex transformations which societies and organizations are facing today, in increasingly globalized societies confronted with important challenges;
5. Ability to apply theories and concepts to actual situations and social contexts;
6. Ability to communicate accurately and pertinently about the acquired knowledge.
Prerequisites
None
Subject matter
1. Innovation and social change
1.1 On the concept of innovation: invention and innovation; types and spaces
1.2 The times of innovation: historical, social, and process
1.3 Disruption and continuity in social change: the old and new myths
1.4 Sociological theories of social change and innovation
2. Innovation as a social process
2.1. The creation of new ideas
2.2. The organizationatinal actors of innovation
2.3. Organizational determinants of innovation
2.4. The extension of innovation
3. Theories and perspectives of change and innovation in organizations
3.1. Organizational change and innovation: theoretical frameworks
3.2. Models of organizational innovation
3.3. Innovation process
4. Innovation in Portugal
4.1. Specificities of the portuguese context
4.2. Policies that support innovation
4.3. Manufacturing industry
4.4. The case of ICT-based companies
Bibliography
Castells, M. (2002). A era da informação: Economia, sociedade e cultura (3 volumes). Lisboa: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
Czarniawska-Joerges, B. (1992). Exploring complex organizations. Newbury Park, CA: Sage
Conceição, P., Heitor, M. & Lundvall, B.-A. (2003). Innovation, competence building and social cohesion in Europe. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Ferreira, J.M.C.; Neves, J. & Caetano, A. (2001). Psicossociologia das organizações. Lisboa: McGraw-Hill.
Lisboa, M. (2002). A indústria portuguesa e os seus dirigentes: Crescimento na metade do século XX e potencial de inovação: Funções capitalista, empresarial e de gestão. Lisboa: Educa.
Poole, M.S. & van de Ven, A. (ed.) (2004). Handbook of organizational change and innovation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Teaching method
TEACHING METHODOLOGY:
- Theoretical lectures by the professor (50%)
- Practical work; presentation and discussion in class, by the students, of texts provided by the lecturer (10
blocks of texts, that may vary according to the school schedule). In each class, we will discuss thematic blocks;
the students enrolled in this group will be divided so that one half will present the text, and the other half a critical
counterargument (40%).
Evaluation method
ASSESSMENT:
a) Practical (40%)
- Individual presentation / counterargument of texts (30%)
- Individual summary of the remaining blocks of texts provided by the lecturer (9 blocks) (10%)
b) Theoretical (60%)
-Individual written assignment on a topic relating to the curricular unit, with previous agreement of the lecturer,
to be presented and discussed during the assessment period.