Learning Objectives

The Master of Science in Economics and Management of Innovation and Technology is a two-year full-time graduate program.

Language

It is entirely taught in English.

Focus

Innovation and change are becoming increasingly crucial for increased competitiveness, sustained economic growth, value creation and employment. This educational program responds to the growing awareness among managers and policy makers about the fundamental importance of innovation and the ensuing need of understanding, managing and steering the complex processes that lead to the introduction of new products, processes, services and organizational innovations.

The study program provides the skills, methodologies and theories for analyzing innovation at different levels, i.e. project, firm, in­ustrial, regional, national and international level.

Who can apply?

The program is directed both to students with an economic and management background and to students with a background in engineering and other scientific fields (e.g. physics). Exposure to introductory economics courses is however considered a prerequisite. The program delivers both the rigorous theoretical concepts and the practical problem-solving skills that managers, consultants and researchers alike need to understand, analyze and influence processes of technological, organizational and strategic change in the global economy.

Educational goals

By the end of the program, students will be prepared to engage in a range of knowledge-intensive careers in large consultancies, multinational corporations and international organizations. Students' professional careers will not be bound within specific sectors (e.g. biotechnologies) or functions (e.g. marketing) but will be driven toward a range of fast changing contexts often characterized by the presence of medium and large public and private organizations- where the ability to analyze and influence changes is paramount. Program graduates are expected to work as analysts in the 'business analysis group' or 'competitive intelligence unit' in support of the strategic activities of the planning and marketing functions.

The program is organized around key problem-areas (e.g. competitiveness, innovation, internationalization, entrepreneurship, intellectual property rights), which are analyzed through relying on multiple disciplines and perspectives (e.g. economics, management, law, quantitative and statistical methods). On the basis of such a multidisciplinary approach, the program aims to train and equip students with the following critical skills:

Analytical skills
The program aims to develop the ability to frame a specific problem within a broader context, to identify the major elements of the problem and cause-effect relations, to develop an appropriate conceptual framework and to assess whether empirical evidence supports conclusions. The ultimate objective is to train students to skilfully manage and analyze innovation processes in companies and in other parts of the society.

Communication skills
The program also aims to develop the students' ability to work in groups, by training them to build and manage teams. Likewise, a critical objective of the program is to train students to effectively design presentations and to acquire public speaking and communication skills.

Research skills
A distinguishing objective of the program is the equip students with both quantitative and qualitative research skills. In particular, the program aims to develop the ability to draft hypotheses, collecting appropriate empirical data and conducting tests through the application of a broad set of statistical and econometric techniques.