Sustainable Innovation (BØK224)

This course will first introduce meso-level foundational concepts and theories relating to innovation and sustainable innovation. Afterwards, it will delve into more specific topics closely related to sustainable innovation from firms, users, systems, and governance perspective. The main topics that form the basis of lectures, assignments and other content will include:

  • Innovation in modern economy
  • Sustainable innovation and green transition
  • Sustainable innovation at the firm level
  • Users and practices of sustainable innovation
  • Sustainable innovation as systems change
  • Governance and policy of sustainable innovation

Please note that these topics may change from semester to semester. 

NB! This is an elective course and may be cancelled if fewer than 15 students are enrolled by August 20th for the autumn semester.


Course description for study year 2025-2026

See course description and exam/assesment information for this semester (2024-2025)
Facts

Course code

BØK224

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Admission requirements

General university admissions certification (GSK)

Content

This introductory course will first introduce meso-level foundational concepts and theories relating to innovation and sustainable innovation. Afterwards, it will delve into more specific topics closely related to sustainable innovaiton. The main topics that form the basis of lectures, assignments and other content will include:

  • Innovation in modern economy

  • Technological progress and growth

  • Geography, networks and platform economy

  • Innovation systems

  • The role of the state

  • Theory of the environment

  • Path dependence

  • Sustainability as a chance or a threat

  • Responsible business and innovation

Please note that these topics may change from semester to semester. 

Learning outcome

If the course is completed, the student will have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has

  • in-depth understanding of the importance of innovation for value creation and sustainable development
  • knowledge of central theories and concepts within the research literature on sustainable innovation
  • Insight on understanding the micro, meso, and macro-level of sustainable innovation
  • knowledge of innovative companies, organizations and regions from a sustainability perspective

Skills

The student will have skills in:

  • apply and critically reflect on theories and concepts to propose innovative solutions to current grand challenges
  • discuss different strategies to increase sustainable innovation and creativity in a company and society as a whole
  • reflect on innovation and change processes in accordance with ethical standards and principles

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Written school-exam 1/1 4 Hours Letter grades English-Norwegian dictionary

Coursework requirements

Group assignment

Students are expected to attend 4 out of 5 seminar discussions and submit relevant assignments/reports in groups.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Huiwen Gong

Course teacher:

Huiwen Gong

Study Program Director:

Tarjei Mandt Larsen

Method of work

The instruction for this course will encompass lectures, seminars, self-study, and group work. Students are expected to attend weekly lessons and participate actively in the teaching programme. Expected total work effort in the course is 250-300 hours (according to ECTS standard).

Open for

Open course for all students with an active right to study and who meet the requirements for general university admissions certification (GSK).

Admission requirements

General university admissions certification (GSK).

Course assessment

The faculty decides whether early dialogue should be conducted in all or selected groups of courses offered by the faculty. The purpose is to gather feedback from students for making changes and adjustments to the course during the current semester. In addition, a digital evaluation, students’ course evaluation, must be conducted at least once every three years. Its purpose is to collect students` experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto