Sociology of Innovation - 2nd semester
Code
711081070
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Sociologia
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Helena Serra
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
To have accomplished a minimum of 48 ECTS credits
Subject matter
Innovation and organisational change
1. The social dimensions of innovation in organisations
2. Defining Innovation
3. Types of innovation
4. Innovation and its dimensions
Theories and perspectives of change and innovation
1. Types of change and intervention
2. Theoretical frameworks around change and innovation
2.1 Theories of evolution and life cycle
2.2. Institutional theories
2.3. Symbolic cognitivism
2.4. Actor-Network Theory
The models of organisational innovation
1. Individual models
2. Strategic / structural models
3. Decision-making models
4. Models of diffusion / adoption
5. Integrative models
Innovation as a social process
1. The creation of new ideas
2.The actors of organisational innovation
3. Organisational determinants of innovation
4. The extent of the innovation
Organisational Innovation in Portugal
1. Portugal and its specificities
2. Public policies and innovation
3. The case of technology-based enterprises
Bibliography
Cardoso, Gustavo (2005) Sociedades em Transição para a Sociedade em Rede, in Manuel Castells e Gustavo Cardoso (org.) A Sociedade em Rede: do conhecimento à acção política. Lisboa: Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda, pp 31-64.
Cunha, M.P.; Rego, A.; Cunha, R.C. & Cabral-Cardoso, C. (2003). Manual de Comportamento Organizacional e Gestão. Lisboa: RH.
Ferreira, J.M.C.; Neves, J. & Caetano, A. (2001). Psicossociologia das Organizações. Lisboa: McGraw-Hill
Lisboa, Manuel (2002) A indústria portuguesa e os seus dirigentes: crescimento na 2ª metade do século XX e potencial de inovação das funções capitalista, empresarial e de gestão. Lisboa: Educa.
Poole, Marshall Scott e Andrew H. Van de Ven (ed.) (2004) Handbook of Organizational Change and Innovation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Teaching method
TEACHING METHODOLOGY:
. Theoretical lectures (50%): presentation of theoretical contents (by teacher); tutorial and students individual learning based on readings; oral presentation on research topics (by students).
. Practical lectures (50%): Construction of a business plan and analysis of texts and / or case studies provided by the teacher.
In class teaching.
Evaluation method
. Oral presentation (group) on a research topic (15%)
. Innovator project: presentation in-class and discussion of case studies (40%). The project will be presented in a paper version and delivered to teachers a week after its presentation with the suggestions presented in the discussion.
. Final writen assignment that covers the whole programme (45%).