Course Description
This course examines the place of innovation in microeconomic policy space. It does so from two perspectives: the capacity of the private sector to recognize and address productivity gaps with investments in innovative products, processes and methods, on the one hand, and the capacity (i.e., limits) of government policy and program initiatives to promote innovation in their economies, on the other. NOTE: All Economics courses, unless stated otherwise, must have a minimum grade requirement of C for their prerequisite courses.
Course Prerequisites
ECON 1101 or ECON 1102, or by permission of the professor.
LearningObjectives
Course Materials
Atkinson, Robert D. and Ezell, Stephen J., “Innovation Economics: The Race for Global Advantage”, New Haven: Yale University Press. 2012
Swann, G.M. Peter, “The Economics of Innovation”, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing Inc. 2009
Course Assessment
Component Weight (% of final grade) Date
Assignments (2 of 3@15% each) 30 Sept 29, Oct22, Nov 19
Research Project 25 Dec 311:59PM, Atl. Time
Final Exam 45 TBA
Conversion of numerical grades to Final Letter Grades follows the Dalhousie Common Grade Scale
A+ (90-100) B+ (77-79) C+ (65-69) D (50-54)
A(85-89) B (73-76) C (60-64) F (<50)
A- (80-84) B- (70-72) C- (55-59)
Course Policies
General:
Students are expected to use the Student Declaration of Absence form for late or missed requirements, prior to the academic deadline.A student may submit a maximum of one (1) Student Declaration of Absence form.
Note that medical notes are not required, including for the final exam. Notification, prior to the start of the exam is required, if students cannot write the final exam.A make-up exam will be arranged with the professor.
You may expect that plagiarism software will be used in course.
Assignments (Value 30%): You must complete two of three optional 3-page assignments: each will be based on recent themes; they will be posted at least one week prior to their due date; and, they will draw from readings dealing with the subject. You must use at least one source in addition to the readings; bibliographies are not required; cite text-sourced references and quotations in the body of your paper and additional sources in footnotes.
Project (Value 25%): Drawing on the various components of the course, students will prepare a research study of a firm, a public sector organization, or a non-government organization. A format and rubric reference document will be posted on Brightspace. Your final document must be at least 5 pages in length, as per the policies noted below (plus annexes, charts and graphs, as necessary). A separate title page and a bibliography of at least five sources are required.
The goal of the project is to present a demonstration of the economic theory and rationale for the funding of an innovation (e.g., a new innovative production process, or a new product or service, or an innovative management program) that advances the social, economic or environmental benefits to the firm, the community or the industrial economy, in general.
Final Examination (Value 45%): a required question section, and an optional questions section
All deliverables (assignments and the project) are to be double-spaced, 12-pt font, New Times Roman (with bibliographies and annexes, in the case of projects). No more than 15% of assignment or project texts are to be quotations. Citation protocols APA or Chicago may be used. All assignments are due at 11:59PM, in soft copy, to the Teaching Assistant, on their due date.Late submissions will be deducted 50% of their value, if delivered late.Projects are due on December 3rd, at 11:59PM, Atlantic Time.
Course Content
Date | Lecture | Reading Modules |
Sept 8 | 1. Overview | Syllabus
|
Sept 10
Sept 15 |
2. Context
3. Context
|
Context
Swann Ch 1- 2; Atkinson, Robert D. and Ezell, Stephen J Ch10 https://economics.mit.edu/files/1785
Imperative Atkinson, Robert D. and Ezell, Stephen J pp. 63-84, 128-141
|
Sept 17
Sept 21 |
4. Imperative
5. Decline
|
Aspects (1) Swann Ch 3-4
Aspects (2) Swann Ch 5-6 Gerguri, ShqipeMA, Ramadani, Veland PhD, The Impact of Innovation into the Economic Growth. MPRA Paper No. 22270, posted 23 Apr 2010 10:49 UTC https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/22270/1/The_impact_of_innovation_into_economic_growth-final_2008-eng-Shqipe-Veland.pdf
|
Sept 24 | 6. Challenges | |
Sept. 29 | 7. Challenges | Aspects (3) Swann Ch 7-8; Atkinson, Robert D. and Ezell, Stephen J Ch7
Assign A DUE
|
Oct.1 | 8. Trends | |
Oct. 6 | 9. Trends | Firms (1) Swann Ch 9-10 https://www.economist.com/business/2020/01/04/cloning-tesla-electric-vehicle-wars-in-china
|
Oct. 8 | 10. Talent |
|
Oct. 13 | 11Talent | Firms (2) Swann Ch 11-12
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250777 https://www.economist.com/leaders/2019/08/22/what-companies-are-for |
Oct. 15 |
12. Unleashing |
|
Oct. 20 | 13. Unleashing | Firms (3) Swann Ch 13
http://marasbiber.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Michael-E.-Porter-Cluster-Reading.pdf
|
Oct. 22 | 14. Governance | Assign B DUE
|
Oct. 27 | 15. Governance | Consumers Swann Ch 16; Rogers, Everett M., The Diffusion of Innovations. The Free Press, London 1983. Pp.1 – 37
https://teddykw2.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/everett-m-rogers-diffusion-of-innovations.pdf
|
Oct. 29 | 16. Consumers | Project Topic and 25-word abstract due to TA (note value on rubric)
|
Nov. 3 | 17. Consumers | Effects (1) Swann Ch 17-18; The Economist Intelligence Unit, The Elements Innovation. https://innovationmatters.economist.com/
|
Nov. 5 | 18. Applied |
|
Nov. 17 | 19. Applied | Effects (2) Swann Ch 19-20; Atkinson, Robert D. and Ezell, Stephen J Ch10 |
Nov. 19 | 20. Social | Assign C DUE
|
Nov. 24 | 21. Social | Competitiveness and SustainabilitySwann Ch 21-22 Atkinson, Robert D. and Ezell, Stephen J Ch 8
https://innovationmatters.economist.com/the-future-of-cities
|
Nov. 26 | 22. Forward |
|
Dec. 1 | 23. Forward | Innovation in Crisis?https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/innovation-in-a-crisis-why-it-is-more-critical-than-ever#
|
Dec. 3 | 24. Policy | Canada: A Case Study
https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/062.nsf/eng/home Project DUE |
Faculty of Science Course Syllabus (Section B)
Fall 2020
The Economics of Innovation, ECON 2211
University Policies and Statements
This course is governed by the academic rules and regulations set forth in the University Calendar and by Senate
Missed or Late Academic Requirements due to Student Absence
As per Senate decision instructors may not require medical notes of students who must miss an academic requirement, including the final exam, for courses offered during fall or winter 2020-21 (until April 30, 2021).
Information on regular policy, including the use of the Student Declaration of Absence can be found here: https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/missed-or-late-academic-requirements-due-to-student-absence.html.
Academic Integrity
At Dalhousie University, we are guided in all of our work by the values of academic integrity: honesty, trust, fairness, responsibility and respect (The Center for Academic Integrity, Duke University, 1999). As a student, you are required to demonstrate these values in all of the work you do. The University provides policies and procedures that every member of the university community is required to follow to ensure academic integrity.
Information: https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/academic-integrity.html
Accessibility
The Advising and Access Services Centre is Dalhousie’s centre of expertise for student accessibility and accommodation. The advising team works with students who request accommodation as a result of a disability, religious obligation, or any barrier related to any other characteristic protected under Human Rights legislation (Canada and Nova Scotia).
Information: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/accessibility.html
Student Code of Conduct
Everyone at Dalhousie is expected to treat others with dignity and respect. The Code of Student Conduct allows Dalhousie to take disciplinary action if students don’t follow this community expectation. When appropriate, violations of the code can be resolved in a reasonable and informal manner—perhaps through a restorative justice process. If an informal resolution can’t be reached, or would be inappropriate, procedures exist for formal dispute resolution.
Code: https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/student-life/code-of-student-conduct.html
Diversity and Inclusion – Culture of Respect
Every person at Dalhousie has a right to be respected and safe. We believe inclusiveness is fundamental to education. We stand for equality. Dalhousie is strengthened in our diversity. We are a respectful and inclusive community. We are committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome and supported, which is why our Strategic Direction prioritizes fostering a culture of diversity and inclusiveness
Statement: http://www.dal.ca/cultureofrespect.html
Recognition of Mi’kmaq Territory
Dalhousie University would like to acknowledge that the University is on Traditional Mi’kmaq Territory. The Elders in Residence program provides students with access to First Nations elders for guidance, counsel and support. Visit or e-mail the Indigenous Student Centre(1321 Edward St) (elders@dal.ca).
Information: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/indigenous.html
Important Dates in the Academic Year (including add/drop dates)
https://www.dal.ca/academics/important_dates.html
University Grading Practices
https://www.dal.ca/dept/university_secretariat/policies/academic/grading-practices-policy.html
Student Resources and Support
Advising
General Advisinghttps://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/advising.html
Science Program Advisors: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/current-students/academic-advising.html
Indigenous Student Centre:https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/indigenous.html
Black Students Advising Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/communities/black-student-advising.html
International Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/international-centre/current-students.html
Academic supports
Library: https://libraries.dal.ca/
Writing Centre:https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/writing-and-study-skills.html
Studying for Success: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/academic-support/study-skills-and-tutoring.html
Copyright Office: https://libraries.dal.ca/services/copyright-office.html
Fair Dealing Guidelineshttps://libraries.dal.ca/services/copyright-office/fair-dealing.html
Other supports and services
Student Health & Wellness Centre: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/health-and-wellness/services-support/student-health-and-wellness.html
Student Advocacy: https://dsu.ca/dsas
Ombudsperson: https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/safety-respect/student-rights-and-responsibilities/where-to-get-help/ombudsperson.html
Safety
Biosafety:https://www.dal.ca/dept/safety/programs-services/biosafety.html
Chemical Safety: https://www.dal.ca/dept/safety/programs-services/chemical-safety.html
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Scent‐Free Program:https://www.dal.ca/dept/safety/programs-services/occupational-safety/scent-free.html