NG3S859 - Innovation and Entrepreneurship 01 Sep 2017 - 31 Aug 2024 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG3S859
Module Title: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Information and Electronics
Faculty Sub Group: Electronics
Module Leader: Rob Locke
Module Team: Philip Hughes, Nigel Copner
First Intended Intake: MAR 2017 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2017
Valid To 31 Aug 2024

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of current practices related to the daily operations of businesses and to develop the ability of the student to critically apply the underlying theories, concepts and skills involved in bringing innovative products to commercial success by taking students through the product life cycle steps from the initial research and innovation, to managing the technical aspects of design and production and finally providing students with the tools necessary for entrepreneurial and commercial success.

Content Summary

Product innovation and adoption models:

Importance of research and development

Barriers to entry, including technological barriers. Supply and demand scenarios; concept of elasticity; production costing and economies of scale.
Innovations models: phase gate model, open vs closed, individual vs organisational, technology push vs market pull, user innovation, evolutionary innovation, disruptive innovation.

Intellectual property, its protection, licensing and strategies

The product life cycle and associated models

Product Management :

Defining product specifications. Quality Function development for translating customer requirements into final products.

Product investment Appraisal: Net Present Value, Accounting Rate of Return, payback period, Product Portfolio management: Expected Commercial Value analysis.
Make and buy decisions - Subcontracting decisions and vendor assessment.
Overview of contracts, copyright and patent laws.

Design constraints, product environmental footprint, eco-design, regulatory constraints, WEEE and EuP directives, EU’s Integrated Product Policy.

Benchmarking - establishing and updating development targets to reflect external trends.

Project planning: WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) planning methodology. Gantt and project network (PERT) charts. Resource level management. Using software packages to create project plans. Risk identification and contingency management.
Project organisation and leadership. Project teams. Project team development. Effective team management, communications and co-ordination mechanisms. Learning styles, Team Dynamics.

Product cost reduction methods and value engineering.
Design Controls: Design and contract review, Configuration control, IS09000 requirements and implications, The management of computer integrated development systems.

Marketing and sales: Market segmentation, brand development and its importance. Promotional techniques. Sales management and customer relationship management.

Entrepreneurship:

Market viability of new venture ideas and market definition; Strategies for product positioning, marketing and operations; resources(e.g., people, financing etc.) required for starting up and operation of a new venture and how to acquire them.

What financiers seek in business proposals, Development and Presentation of a proposal.

Operational and capacity issues of start up and development of a new venture, choosing an Exit Strategy.

Accrual and depreciation principles in financial statements, and introduction to P&L and Balance Sheet accounts. Interpretation of financial statements and identification of key variables.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Tutorial 48
Independent Study 72
Directed Study 80
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Define and apply management skills necessary to support the design, manufacture and marketing of innovative products while abiding by the legal and regulatory constraints.
LO2 Analyse and apply entrepreneurial and management processes in identifying, developing and marketing new products.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Project Output Project Output 1 Project 1 0 3000 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Case Study (CW) 1 Assignment 1 0 3000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project Output 1
Case Study (CW) 1

Reading List

Blick, D (2011) The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book, Filament Publishing.

Hoyle, D (2009) ISO 9000 Quality Systems Handbook - updated for the ISO 9001:2008 standard, 6th edn, Routledge.

Newton, R (2007) Project Management Step by Step: How to Plan and Manage a Highly Successful Project, Pearson Business.

Stark, E (2014) Project Management For Beginners: Proven Project Management Methods To Complete, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Richard Burman(1995), Manufacturing Management Principles and Systems, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0-07-709044-6

Meredith, Mantel(2011), Project Management, A Managerial Approach, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-01626-8

Burns, P(2010), Entrepreneurship and Small Business: Start-up, Growth and Maturity, Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN: 978-0230247802

David Smith(2009), Exploring innovation, McGraw-Hill Education, ISBN: 978-0077121235

Chell, E.(2001), Entrepreneurship: Globalisation, innovation and development, Cengage Learning EMEA, ISBN: 978-1861523181

Swanson, J.A. and Baird M.L. (2003), \\\"Engineering Your Start-Up: A Guide for the High-Tech Entrepreneur\\\", Professional Publications, Inc., ISBN: 978-1888577914

Augustine, S.(2005), Managing agile projects, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 978-0131240711