Theories and Systems Innovation

Code:

2EGIN04

Acronym:

TSI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Economics

Instance: 2025/2026 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Agrupamento Científico de Economia
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Economics and Management of Innovation

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
EGIN	32	Bologna Syllabus since 2012	1	-	7,5	56	202,5
MFPE	0	Study plan	1	-	7,5	56	202,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Theories and Systems of Innovation is a course on the economics of innovation and innovation studies, looking at innovation from micro (firms and organizations), meso (sectors and innovations systems) and macro (economies and societies) perspectives. The course will be complemented by a second semester course on Innovation Policy.

Learning outcomes and competences

When passing this course, students shall have acquired a broad and solid understanding of innovation concepts and theory, both for research and for professional activities linked to innovation analyses and management. They shall be able to answer questions such as: What is innovation? How does it emerge and diffuse? What are their (organizational, sectoral, territorial) determinants? How does it impact in economic transformation and societal change?

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Innovation in the history of economic thought; concepts and taxonomies; measuring Innovation.


2. Innovation and macroeconomic dynamics. Innovation, growth and structural change; techno-economic paradigms; catching-up and international diffusion of technology.


3. Economic fundamentals of innovation. Modern evolutionary approaches;the problems of uncertainty and appropriability; the debate “technology-push” vs. “demand-pull”; open innovation and free innovation.


4. Innovation systems. Concepts and components; national innovation systems; subsectorial innovation systems; the geography of innovation.


5. Innovation financing. Mainstream approach and Neoshupterian approach.


6. Innovation and sustainability. Societal change and socio-technical systems.

Mandatory literature

Jan Fagerberg; The Oxford handbook of innovation. ISBN: 0-19-926455-4 (Ch. 1, 7, 11, 14, 17, 19)
Boschma, R.; Proximity and innovation: a critical assessment, Regional studies, 39(1), 61-74, 2005
Chesbrough, H., & Bogers, M; Explicating open innovation: Clarifying an emerging paradigm for understanding innovation. In Chesbrough, H., Vanhaverbeke, W. & West, J. (eds). New Frontiers in Open Innovation, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014
Pessoa, A.; Innovation and Knowledge Economics, CreateSpace, Charleston, SC, 2014
Schot, J., & Geels, F.; Strategic niche management and sustainable innovation journeys: theory, findings, research agenda, and policy, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 20(5), 537-554, 2008
von Hippel, E.; Free Innovation, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2017 (Ch. 1)

Complementary Bibliography

Giovanni Dosi; Technical change and economic theory. ISBN: 0-86187-949-X
Fagerberg, J., & Verspagen, B. ; Technology-gaps, innovation-diffusion and transformation: an evolutionary interpretation, Research policy, 31(8-9), 1291-1304, 2002
Nelson, R., Dosi, G., Helfat, C; Pyka, A., Saviotti, P., Lee, K., Dopfer, K., Malerba, F., & Winter, S.; Modern evolutionary economics: an overview, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2018
Pavitt, K.; Sectoral patterns of technical change: towards a taxonomy and a theory, Research policy, 13(6), 343-373, 1984
Perez, C.; Technological revolutions and techno-economic paradigms, Cambridge journal of economics, 34(1), 185-202, 2010
Swann, P.; The Economics of Innovation: an introduction, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, 2009

Comments from the literature

In addition, a list of state-of-the-art scientific articles will be provided, to be presented and discussed by the students during class.

Teaching methods and learning activities

During class, concepts and theories will be explored and illustrated with examples. Moreover, during the second half of each class, students will participate in different activities and practical assignments.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	50,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	148,50
Frequência das aulas	39,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Total:	202,50

Eligibility for exams

Continuous evaluation without a final exam

or

Final exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

2 options:

Option A - Distributed assessment without final exam: Two tests + practical assignments (PA) carried out in class. The final grade (FG) will be calculated according to the following formula:

FG = 25% * Test 1 + 50% PA + 25% * Test 2

Notes: Passing the distributed assessment requires a minimum grade of 6.0 in each of the in-person tests; access requires attendance in at least 75% of the classes actually taught.

Option B - Assessment by final exam

Observations

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
8 - Decent work and economic growth
9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure