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Unit outline_

SMBA6114: Leading Business Innovation

MBA Session 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Castlereagh St, Sydney

In this unit of study students learn how to lead business innovation efforts Companies need to innovate to survive in global markets rapid technological development hyperconnectivity sustainability concerns and shifting consumer preferences But this is easier said than done Most companies large and small are overreliant on past successes and they often fail at turning creative endeavours into lasting competitive advantage Yet some companies successfully innovate again and again This unit is concerned with the latter group Students acquire concepts and test tools for leading business innovation i e how to develop models people structures and processes that create competitive advantage through innovation

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Management Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
SMBA6001
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Stefan Meisiek, stefan.meisiek@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Active participation
n/a
10% Ongoing ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Presentation group assignment In class activities
n/a
20% Week 03 5 minutes x 2
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4
Assignment Individual assignment
n/a
30% Week 04 500 words (or equivalent) x 3
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Assignment Research report
n/a
40% Week 11 3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • In-class activities: In two weeks, students work on exercises related to a case study and a journal article during class time. The task will be to apply the concepts from the journal article to the case, and to extend it further to the organisations and experiences of your team members. The exercise ends with a brief presentation by each team, summarising their approach and outcomes.
  • Individual assignment: Three times, each student submits a brief evaluation of a business innovation case/method that they found through research, and relate it to class materials covered so far. The submission should contain a description of the case/method, a concise argument for its relevance and impact, and reflection on how the class topic might/might not relate to their case/method. The format of this submission is a brief podcast.
  • Research report: Students choose an organisation that they admire for its innovations. They analyse this organisation regarding its business innovation orientation, capabilities, and systems, using course concepts, theories and tools. On the basis of the analysis, they suggest improvements, point out opportunities, or identify risks for the innovation future of the organisation.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 A case for business experimentation Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 02 Innovation strategy Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 03 The role of top management Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 04 Business experimentation Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 05 Innovation processes Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 06 Leading creatives Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 07 Creative teams Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 08 Innovative organisations Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 09 Building ecosystems Lecture (4 hr)  
Week 10 Innovation processes II Lecture (4 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Describe an integrative framework for leading business innovation derived from class materials.
  • LO2. Analyze business innovation issues taking into account strategy, processes, capabilities and limitations.
  • LO3. Collaboratively apply conceptual models from class materials and develop potential solutions to business innovation problems.
  • LO4. Persuasively communicate, explain, and defend a position on issues in business innovation.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.