Innovation and Knowledge Management: preparing graduates for the Digital Economy (8 Hours)

3 June 2023

This one-day course aims to develop a deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects to the role of human capital in innovation and development. Human capital (knowledge, abilities and skills) is considered as stimulus of the innovation process for economic growth and development. Innovation is a key driver of knowledge creation and economic growth. It empowers individuals, groups and organizations to find solutions to social and economic challenges. In this course participants will learn about the importance of innovation and human capital development in the new economy and engage the critical discourses of Knowledge Economy and the role of human capital.

The course will also provide participants with better understanding of innovation management and how can innovation contribute and enhance competitiveness. More specifically, the course will assess critically the nature and purpose of generalist theories of innovation management and apply a generalist theoretical framework to case studies of innovation management.

Job creation, economic diversification and the act of inventing new products and services are increasingly seen as vital for the future development of the country. Policymakers seek to ensure that national economies benefit from the information revolution by building capacity for the creation of new ideas, technologies, organizational know-how and innovation. Ideas, knowledge and information are exchanged, utilized and disseminated through modern technologies to empower domestic enterprises and national economies. In recent years, the increasing focus on innovation has encouraged public and private institutions to invest in the development of new products and new technologies to gain competitive advantage and sustain economic growth.