Assuming that the students have knowledge in industrial dynamics and are familiar with the dominant concepts and theories this course deepens the knowledge base so that students may independently analyse processes of industrial and technical change on different systems levels and relate them to their own technological activity. Innovation systems approaches are analyzed in theory and practice as are historical innovation processes as well as the development of generic technologies. Knowledge formation processes in industry and technology and related phenomena like technological paradigms, regimes and trajectories are analyzed.
The theoretical foundation for the course is innovation theory with strong connection to evolutionary and institutional economics. The course has a cross disciplinary character, however, with connection to disciplines like history and sociology of technology (like STS); economic history as well economic geography. In addition the course is based on theories of knowledge formation and learning in firms and technical systems.
The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. One seminar may be in the form of a study visit.