Course syllabus - Industrial Change: Challenges and opportunities

Objectives

The aim of the course is to develop a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of industrial change and analysis of industrial change in relation to technical, economic and social developments. 

The course also provides knowledge about the roles of different actors for industrial change and the dynamics between different actors during industrial transformations. Furthermore, challenges and opportunities for industrial change through innovation management, entrepreneurship and policy developments will be addressed. The students will relate acquired knowledge from the program as a whole to management of technological change and industrial transformation. Individual work is made together with work in small groups to analyze scientific texts and relevant case studies.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify and describe mechanisms that are fundamental to industrial change and that interplay with other mechanisms during industrial transformations 
2. Compare and value different theories concerning industrial change and transformation 
3. Critically compare, value and apply different analytical frameworks on case studies of industrial change 
4. Relate and apply knowledge regarding industrial and technological change to challenges and problems in the areas of innovation and strategic management 
5. Apply knowledge from the course by applying a number of skills, which will be defined in the course description

Course content

The course is based on an online-based lecture series together with seminars and exercises in class. Learning materials and assignments are distributed and handled through the course's digital learning platform. 

The theoretical basis of the course mainly comes from the areas of Industrial Dynamics and Socio-technical Systems Theory with strong links to Evolutionary Economics and Institutional Economics. The knowledge of Industrial Dynamics and Systems will later be applied practically in the areas of Innovation Management and Strategic Management during the course. 

Several cases of industrial change will be presented during the course where contemporary cases will be mixed with historical examples of industrial transformations. 

Examination consists of both individual assignments that will be distributed throughout the course along with a final group assignment.

Tuition

The course includes a lecture series that is online-based together with in-class lectures, seminars and exercises in a so-called 'blended-learning' approach. Assignments in the course will be carried out both individually and in small groups. All assignments in the course are submitted through the course's digital learning platform.

Specific requirements

120 credits within the MSc programme in Industrial Economics, which includes 30 credits within the subject "industrial engineering and management", or comparable. In addition Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course B/Swedish course 3.

Examination

Assignment (INL1), 2,5 hp, grade Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F)  (learning outcomes 1-3) 
Seminar (SEM1), 2,5 hp, grade Fail (U) or Pass (G), (learning outcomes 1-3 & 5) 
Assignment (INL2), 2,5 hp, grade Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F)  (learning outcomes 1-5)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Excellent, Very good, Good, Satisfactory, Sufficient, Insufficient, complementary work possible, Insufficient