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Innovation for Sustainability

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Ekon1012, Microeconomics

Ekon2109, Macroeconomics

Ekon3142, Bioeconomics

Course abstract

The course builds up an understanding of the innovation process, the public's need for sustainable development and opportunities provided in the context of globalization and increasing competition. Students are familiarized with to the classical theories of innovation as well as modern research findings, which emphasize the growing role of innovation in long-term development, including in the decarbonization of the economy, the decoupling of growth from energy consumption and the development of pro-social value-driven demand. At the same time, the course deals with the formation of the innovation ecosystem, as well as the role of the national and local governments in it. Students undergo a full cycle of innovation management, which allows the principles of innovation to be introduced into a company to ensure its competitiveness in the long term, as well as to apply the knowledge acquired through creating user-friendly services in various organizations or public administration institutions.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. Understands the essence, types, importance, development of the concept of innovation for sustainable development - test.
2. Understands the creation of a value proposition 1. independent work.
3. Able to create a business model according to product development and implementation of service processes - 2. independent work.
4. Able to utilize creativity and knowledge-stimulating activities for both personal and business development - exam.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full-time studies:
1. Concept and necessity of innovation - 1 hour
2. Development of innovation theory - 1 hour
3. Sustainable innovations - 1 hour
4. Technological changes to support sustainable innovation - 1 hour
5. Creating an innovation ecosystem - 1 hour
6. Support for sustainable innovation - 2 hours
7. Innovation process - 1 hour
8. Innovation culture in the company, organization - 1 hour
9. Tools for increasing competitiveness and efficiency - 1 hour
10. Defining the problem, ideation - 1 hour
11. Value proposition - 1 hour
12. Innovation business model - 1 hour
13. Innovative product validation - 1 hour
14. Innovative product brand - 1 hour
15. Intellectual property - 1 hour

Part-time extramural studies:
All the topics intended for full-time studies are covered, yet the number of contact hours is ½ of the specified number of hours.

Requirements for awarding credit points

Written Examination. The exam consists of:
• A test on the theoretical aspects covered in the course.
• A practical task on the topics studied during the course.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1. In the independent work 1, the student must create a sustainable innovation value proposition and present it successfully.
2. In independent work 2, according to the taught methodology, an up-to-date sketch of a sustainable innovation business model should be created.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Test - The Importance of Innovation for Ensuring Sustainable Development (20 points)
Independent Work – Value Proposition and Its Presentation (20 points)
Ongoing Work – Business Model Sketch (20 points)
Exam – All Topics (40 points)

10 points correspond to one grade on a 10-point study assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Niedrītis J.Ē. Meklējiet un jūs atradīsiet. Latvijas Izglītības fonds., Rīga, 2019., 235 lpp.
2. Polzin F. Addressing Barriers to Low-Carbon Innovation. Internationaler Verlag der Wissenshaften., Franfurt am Main, 2015., p. 193 p.
3. Inovatīvas darbības pamatelementi: rokasgrāmata maziem un vidējiem uzņēmumiem., otrais papildinātais izdevums., LR Ekonomikas ministrija., Rīga, 2007., 276 lpp.
4. Furseth P. I. Innovation in an advanced consumer society. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016. 190 p.
5. Pigneur Y., Osterwalder A., Bernarda G., Smith A. Value Proposition Design. John Wiley & Sons, 2014.,293 p.

Further reading

1. Sociālā inovācija: izaicinājumi un risinājumi Latvijā. Zinātniska monogrāfija. K.Oganisjana, G.Grīnberga-Zālīte, S.Surikova, K.Kozlovskis, L.Līcīte, T.Laizāns, N.Monge-Iriarte, T.Koķe, L.Jereščenkova, Y.Eremina, S.Gvatua, B. N.Kabwende, O. J.Chukwu. Rīga: RTU Izdevniecība, 2019., 148 lpp.
Pieejams: https://ebooks.rtu.lv/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2020/02/9789934222290_Sociala-inovacija_PDF.pdf
2. Pigneur Y., Osterwalder A. Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. John Wiley & Sons, 2010. 284 p.
3. Latvijas spēks ilgi pastāvēt: kolektīvā zinātniskā monogrāfija. B.Rivža (red.). Rīga: Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija, 2022., 479 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Valsts platforma biznesa attīstībai. Pieejams: www.business.gov.lv
2. Latvijas investīciju un attīstības aģentūra. Pieejams: www.liaa.gov.lv
3. Eiropas biznesa atbalsta tīkls. Pieejams: www.een.lv
4. Aktualitātes inovācijās, tehnoloģijās, zinātnē, pētniecībā un uzņēmējdarbībā. Pieejams: www.labsoflatvia.com
5. Dizana domāšana. Pieejams: www.startdesign.lv
6. Pakalpojumu dizaina metodes. Pieejams: www.thisisservicedesigndoing.com/methods

Notes

Course in the ESAF academic bachelor's study program "Economics" for the specialization direction "Sustainable economy and territorial development".