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Unit of study_

BUDL2902: Innovation in Organisations

Intensive January, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

A creative idea becomes an innovation when it undergoes a transformative process to make it practical. Innovation is the driving force that underpins long-term organisational growth and competitiveness. An innovative and innovating organisation brings new ideas to life in all aspects of its operation to address the needs of internal and external stakeholders. We walk the path to understanding innovation, its different forms and its management. Through case studies and workshops, we learn to identify different types of innovations and how organisations and their stakeholders can benefit from them. Working in multidisciplinary teams, we learn to identify opportunities for innovation, create and design innovative solutions for some of the most pressing issues in different types of organisations. We draw on multidisciplinary insights and employ practice-based design thinking solutions to address key organisational problems and challenges.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BUDL2902
Academic unit Accounting
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
must be in the Dalyell stream
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Please note that where this unit of study is on offer in either the Intensive January or the Intensive February session, the classes for these sessions commence prior to semester one

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jane Strachan, jane.strachan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment group assignment Group Innovation project
A combination of in class presentations, a pitch and report.
60% Ongoing See Canvas for details.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Assignment Individual innovation assessments
Written reports.
40% Ongoing See canvas for details
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

This unit is run Monday to Friday full time face to face in Week 2 (only) of the intensive period. It requires full time attendance as many asssessments and preparation are undertaken during class time. Other assessments are due in week 3 and 4 of the intensive period. 

Further details and rubric will be discussed on day 1 of class.  Canvas will be updated with specifications and marking rubric.

Group Innovation Project assessment (60%)
Students will work in multidisciplinary groups to complete an innovation project for an industry partner. There will be in class assessments as part of this group work and a group report and recorded pitch to the industry partner. 

Individual Innovation assessments (40%)
Students will identify and discuss innovation and reflect on the challenges of innovation in written reports.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per Business School policy.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1: Why Innovate? 1. What is innovation and why innovate 2. Drivers for innovation 3. Interdisciplinary teams Block teaching (8 hr) LO1 LO3
Module 2: Understand the organisation 1. Understand the organisation and its stakeholders 2. Innovation problem definition Block teaching (8 hr) LO3 LO4
Module 3: Generate ideas 1. Innovation types 2. Customer Centricity 3. Business Model Canvas Block teaching (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Module 4: Prototype and Validate/Test ideas 1. Prototyping 2. Validate & testing ideas 3. Implementing Ideas 4. Risk Evaluation Block teaching (8 hr) LO2 LO4
Module 5: Innovation Assessment and Management 1. Feedback loops 2. Challenges in innovation 3. Persuasively closing the innovation loop Block teaching (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

This class is an interactive seminar format with strong emphasis on in class group work. Participation is required each week by students and is monitored. 

Business School Policy states:
“Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption through special consideration, special arrangement, previously arranged disability adjustment or by the Associate Dean. The Associate Dean may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items where attendance is lower than 90 per cent”

 

 

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. Explain the different types of innovation.
  • LO2. Apply different approaches to innovation.
  • LO3. Identify opportunities for innovation in an organisation.
  • LO4. Analyse a problem and design innovative solutions using multidisciplinary perspectives.

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.

Updated assessment to enable flexibility in working with different industry partners each semester, following feedback from Angela and Chang.

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.