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75784-01 - Colloquium: Innovation in the Global Economy (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers |
Augustin Ignatov (augustin.ignatov@unibas.ch)
Christian Rutzer (christian.rutzer@unibas.ch) Rolf Weder (rolf.weder@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This new course -- described as a "colloquium" because we plan it to be highly interactive -- explores the management of innovation by both firms and governments, with a particular emphasis on Switzerland in the global economy. We integrate (1) innovative background material (videotaped interviews by us with experts -- so-called Innoscape Talks (https://innoscape.ch/en/publications#category-innoscape-talks)) and (2) innovative assessment methods (essays including presentations and active class room participation) into the course. The topic builds on our own research over the past few years on the "Innovation Landscape of Switzerland" (Innoscape.ch) which we compare with that of the U.S. and other countries. The course is designed to explore and discuss the challenges of innovation in a society that operates in a globally connected economy. Emphasis will be placed on the ongoing technological transformation and its impact. We ask how a productive innovation ecosystem can be cultivated within firms, at regional levels, and across an entire country. Key topics include typical barriers to innovation, but also the role of management and government in regulating innovation and stepping in if innovations prove unproductive, environmentally harmful, or socially disruptive. The course combines some theoretical foundations with applied aspects of innovation, allowing students to gain a comprehensive understanding of how firms drive innovation, how this affects specific industries, and the key factors that either encourage or hinder technological changes. We will examine countries such as Switzerland and Germany, which are highly successful in traditional technologies, but may not necessarily be strong in new (digital) technologies. We will discuss whether Switzerland and other countries (or Europe as a whole) should try to adapt business models and economic policies to accommodate new technologies. We also plan to discuss potential challenges associated with this strategy and what would be required in order to increase the chance of a successful transition. |
| Learning objectives | At the end of the course, students should have the ability to: 1. Understand key concepts and theories related to innovation and have a systematic view on the technological transformation in Switzerland and globally. 2. Identify the key challenges the Swiss economy faces in developing and integrating AI, Machine Learning and Big Data technologies. 3. Critically analyze the factors influencing innovation in a country by synthesizing insights from diverse fields such as economics, technology, policy-making and management. 4. Engage in collaborative discourse, using specialised knowledge and communication skills related to innovation strategies and challenges. 5. Propose informed policy and management recommendations to enhance the innovative capacity of the Swiss economy. 6. Develop strategic solutions for international and multinational firms to optimally allocate their limited resources in R&D globally. 7. Address challenges hindering innovation activities and outcome in firms within Switzerland or Europe as a whole. |
| Bibliography | The literature includes the so-called Innoscape-Talks we recorded when interviewing experts in the field from science, firms and the government (https://innoscape.ch/en/publications#category-innoscape-talks). We will discuss sequences of these conversations in class. There will also be an article or chapter of a book assigned to each weekly session. This literature will be made available on ADAM. |
| Comments | The outline of the couse is now online (January 24, 2025): https://wwz.unibas.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/wwz/00_Professuren/Weder_Aussenwirtschaft_und_Europaeische_Integration/Lehre/Innovation_Global_Economy_Outline_FS25_Main_file.pdf We will use videos based on interviews we conducted as part of our research project “Innoscape.ch” with leading experts in the field as a basis for our discussion. Each lesson will deal with one video. All students will watch the video and read the complementary article assigned to the video in advance of the class. In class, we will recall the contents, deepen certain aspects and discuss the arguments and their implications. We will add additional information from our own research during the class if appropriate. |
| Weblink | Teaching |
| Admission requirements | We expect that students have completed an introductory course in Business and Economics, such as: 10125-01 - Vorlesung: Grundlagen der Betriebswirtschaftslehre (6 KP) or 10130-01 - Vorlesung: Grundlagen der Volkswirtschaftslehre (6 KP) But this is not mandatory. The most important prerequisite is interest in the topic, preparation of the individual sessions and active engagement during the weekly meetings. |
| Course application | Registration: Please enroll in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch); Eucor-Students and mobility students of other Swiss Universities or the FHNW first have to register at the University of Basel BEFORE the start of the course and receive their login data by post (e-mail address of the University of Basel). Processing time up to a week! Detailed information can be found here: https://www.unibas.ch/de/Studium/Mobilitaet.html After successful registration you can enroll for the course in the Online Services (services.unibas.ch). Applies to everyone: Enrolment = Registration for the course and the exam/assignment! |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Friday | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 21.02.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 28.02.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 07.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 14.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Friday 21.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 28.03.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Bernoullianum, Grosser Hörsaal 148 |
| Friday 04.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 11.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 18.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Ostern |
| Friday 25.04.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 02.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 09.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 16.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 23.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Kollegienhaus, Hörsaal 118 |
| Friday 30.05.2025 | 10.15-12.00 | Auffahrt |
| Modules |
Electives Bachelor Business and Economics: Recommendations (Bachelor's degree subject: Business and Economics (Start of studies before 01.08.2021)) Modul: Aufbau Business (Bachelor's Studies: Business and Economics) Modul: Wahlbereich in Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Bachelor's degree subject: Business and Economics) Module: Business II (Bachelor's Studies: Business and Economics (Start of studies before 01.08.2021)) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | In this course, students will be assessed through a combination of evaluation methods designed to measure their understanding and their capability of applying the content discussed in the course: 1) The final examination will constitute 40% of the overall grade, providing a comprehensive assessment of the students’ grasp of key facts, concepts and arguments presented and discussed throughout the course. 2) Groups of 2 to 4 students (depending on the class size) have once to write a short essay (3-4 pages) and give a presentation in a session based on the assigned video and literature. Both the essay and the presentation together will account for 40% of the overall grade. 3) Regular active participation in the course will be valued with a weight of 20% of the overall grade. written examination: 23.06.25; 14:15-15:15. Depending on the number of students, the start of the exam may be moved forward or backward for 30 minutes. Examination rooms and start times will be published until 18 May 2025. You can still withdraw from the examination by submitting a completed, signed form to our office from 18.03.2025 until 28.03.2025 / 12:00 o’clock. The deregistration form and the mail address can be found on the homepage of the Dean of Studies Office: https://wwz.unibas.ch/en/studies/examinations/de-/registration-of-examinations/ Prior to 17.03.2025, please deregister only in the Online Services. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,1 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Business and Economics , studiendekanat-wwz@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Faculty of Business and Economics |