DG4S31 - Global Contexts and Systems 01 Dec 2019 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: DG4S31
Module Title: Global Contexts and Systems
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Fashion, Marketing and Photography
Faculty Sub Group: Marketing
Module Leader: Philip Harfield
Module Team: Steven Wright
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100811 - creative management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Dec 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To enable a critical awareness of innovation management in relation to wider societal challenges and socio-economic systems. Specific aims are:

  • To enable an advanced understanding of the contextual factors influencing innovation practices
  • To enable the critical exploration of innovation activities across global/regional dimensions, and commercial/social perspectives.
  • To utilise systems thinking in understanding the multi-stakeholder nature of complex innovation ecosystems.

Content Summary

Content will develop students understanding through:

  • Exploration of contextual factors (socio-cultural, technological and economic drivers) influencing innovation within a range of organisation types (including creative, commercial and social enterprises).
  • Challenge framing activities relating to key thematic areas of study* will provide focus on areas of professional interest and enable divergence outside specialist domains
  • Systems thinking activities referencing the key thematic areas of study* will support holistic understanding of multi-causal, multi-stakeholder and inter-connected nature of challenges faced by organisations. Activities will support communication, interpretation and stimulate critical discussion.

*The course is underpinned by thematic areas of study which mirror global socio-economic megatrends. Typical themes include: 1) Technology enabled futures; 2) Healthy societies; 3) Consumption and sustainable economies; 4) Activism and civic participation; 5) Hyperconnectivity and business models; 6) Climate change equity

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 8
Seminar 12
Tutorial 4
Independent Study 104
Directed Study 60
Groupwork 12
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically articulate understanding of the contextual drivers of innovation within contemporary businesses and organisations, including socio-cultural, socio-economic and environmental factors influencing innovation.
LO2 Critically articulate understanding of the systemic, multi-causal, multi-stakeholder and inter-connected nature of challenges faced by organisations.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Self Reflective Assessment 1 Reflections on the professional role: A reflection on the stance and role of their own profession, in-light of contemporary challenges. 0 3000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Critique on challenges and change: A personal discourse on the complexity of societal challenges and the systemic factors influencing decision-making cultures. 0 3000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Self Reflective Assessment 1
Report 1

Reading List

Reading will be based on journal articles that reflect contemporary thinking related to the module content. Also, latest editions of the following texts:

Dorst et al., 2016. Designing for the common good : a handbook for innovators, designers, and other people,

Laloux, F., 2014. Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage in Human Consciousness. Brussels, Belgium: Nelson Parker. 658.406 LAL

Ghosh, A., 2016. The great derangement: Climate change and the unthinkable. University of Chicago Press.

Stacey, R., 2012. Tools and techniques of leadership and management: meeting the challenge of complexity (pp. 9-22). New York, NY: Routledge. 658.4 ST

Kaplan, J., 2015. Humans need not apply: a guide to wealth and work in the age of artificial intelligence. New Haven : Yale University Press.

Online sources

World Economic Forum https://www.weforum.org

https://www.whatdesigncando.com/about-our-challenges/

Deloitte megatrend reports: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/nl/Documents/public-sector/deloitte-nl-ps-megatrends-2ndedition.pdf

OECD megatrend report https://www.oecd.org/sti/Megatrends%20affecting%20science,%20technology%20and%20innovation.pdf