Introduction

In the global economy, large established companies as well as smaller and entrepreneurial start-up firms are dependent on their ability to develop and launch innovative products and solutions. There is, thus, an increasing need for world-class engineers able to manage innovation and product development processes. The programme prepares bachelors of science in engineering from all technical fields to be able to independently and critically understand key issues in the management of innovation and product development, such as industry and technology dynamics, corporate organization, project management, leadership and new business development, and to make use of this understanding in their future industry careers.

Expected career options

The Management of Innovation and Product Development programme prepares for a position in product development activities, such as a project/line manager in an established company or a project/business manager in start-up firms building on new product ideas.

Content and organization

The programme’s compulsory courses deal with topics such as studies, innovation management and product development; entrepreneurship and business planning; project management; and leadership. Students may choose elective courses from fields such as quality management, manufacturing management, environmental technology and information management.

Courses combine lectures and literature studies with student-active learning activities such as seminars and group projects. Personal development and leadership is emphasized, and students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning.

The programme promotes the understanding and analysis of theories, tools and techniques based on science and best practice. Since management of innovation and product development is a highly practical field, students are trained to analyze complex phenomena and problems related to innovation and product development processes in real-life industrial companies. This involves discussing, proposing and designing alternative solutions to practical problems by using both the practical and the theoretical insights gained from the courses.

The programme is closely related to ongoing contemporary research, especially within the Knowledge Integration in Transnational Enterprise (KITE) research programme at Linköping University.