MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Our internationally recognised MBA is a unique distance learning qualification that will build and develop your business skills. You'll be able to critically ------ multiple perspectives and start applying your new understanding of management as you study. Designed for practising senior and middle-level managers, it will develop your strategic analysis, interdisciplinary skills, creativity and innovation. With an international emphasis and global reputation, our MBA programme is highly attractive for all ambitious executives.
MSc in Technology Management
This MSc will provide you with the knowledge and skills critical to making the right decisions about technology strategy, innovation and management to make a real difference to your organisation. You'll begin by focusing on the operational aspects of managing technological innovation and change. You'll then explore a range of capabilities that are key to the strategic development and management of technological innovation. Your studies will conclude with an in-depth investigation of a technology management topic or problem of your choice.
BA (Honours) Business Management (Innovation and Enterprise)
You will need a computer with internet access to study for this qualification. For most OU qualifications a Microsoft Windows (new since 2007), Apple Mac (OS X 10.6 or later) or Linux computer should be adequate. However, some qualifications require more specific IT equipment, in which case you will need additional software to use an Apple Mac or Linux computer. A detailed technical specification for your modules will be made available when you register. Please note, technical specifications do change over time to match computer developments and the way we teach.
Nature & Environment
BA/BSc (Honours) Design and Innovation
This general design degree focuses on developing creative design thinking and practical work to address problems in every aspect of life, not just the creative industries. The design modules feature online design studios, social networking and inspiring study materials alongside a significant practical component. As well as design, you'll study modules in complementary subjects gaining skills and knowledge in an area that fits your needs and interests.
Nature & Environment
Diploma of Higher Education in Design and Innovation
This general design diploma focuses on developing creative design thinking to address problems in every aspect of life. The design modules feature online design studios, social networking and inspiring study materials alongside a practical component. As well as design, you'll study modules in complementary subjects to gain skills and knowledge in an area that fits your needs and interests.
Nature & Environment
Certificate of Higher Education in Design and Innovation
This general design certificate focuses on developing creative design thinking to address problems in every aspect of life. The design module features an online design studio, social networking and inspiring study materials alongside a practical component. As well as design, you'll choose a complementary subject to gain skills and knowledge in an area that fits your needs and interests.
Exploring innovation and entrepreneurship
This module provides you with a wide-ranging introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship. You'll examine different forms of innovative and entrepreneurial practice around the world and at different scales, including: technological and social innovation; commercial and social enterprise; independent and corporate entrepreneurship. You'll also have many opportunities to develop subject-related skills by creating your own 'visual essay', taking part in an online negotiation activity, researching and presenting a case study based on your own chosen example, and working with a small team of students to develop your own proposal for an innovative entrepreneurial venture.
Money & Business
Creating futures : sustainable enterprise and innovation
This module provides you with intermediate/advanced conceptual and practical learning in entrepreneurship and innovation in different specialist sectors. Through a mix of study activities and self-selected experiential projects you will develop independent research and online collaborative skills necessary to engage in enterprise and innovation practices in new and existing organisations. The module encourages you to do so by articulating how entrepreneurship and innovation can be used to satisfy individual goals, while contributing to solving societal problems in an ethical and sustainable manner.
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation
The need for ongoing technological innovation has become a strategic necessity for many organisations. Even in traditionally stable sectors, the option of maintaining the status quo is seldom viable. This creates challenges for how organisations acquire and manage the resources and capabilities necessary for effective approaches to innovation and create and maintain contexts that support strategic action. This online module draws on material from the resource-based view of organisations and strategic and innovation management more generally to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to the development and management of technological innovation. It is suitable for anyone interested in developing or improving their skills and expertise in this area.
Innovation: designing for change
Innovations emerge from complex, dynamic, iterative processes. But how do designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, managers and users create opportunities and generate ideas for innovation? How are ideas developed into successful products, services and systems? What are the impacts of design and innovation? This online module uses a range of contemporary case studies to explore such questions. Its concerns go beyond innovation for commercial advantage to consider how, through responsible design, innovation can contribute to the development of a more sustainable future. The module includes a design and innovation project in which you will identify and research a problem, and develop your own solution.
Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production
This module builds on the concepts and techniques in (T192). It begins by focusing on invention and innovation, and the advisory or legislative frameworks used to promote good practice and ensure safety. Examples of patents, standards and an energy case study are examined, providing a basis for introducing key topics in engineering and mathematics. Next, it takes you on a tour of modern manufacturing methods, and explores how these are related to properties of materials, product design, environmental sustainability and profitability. More advanced mathematical techniques, including basic calculus, are introduced and applied in an engineering context.
Technology and innovation management
The history of technological innovation has been nothing short of remarkable, affecting our lives, the effectiveness of organisations, the profitability of industries, the well-being of societies, the environmental sustainability and the prosperity of nations. Understanding the processes that underpin innovation is therefore crucial, whether you are a user or producer of technological innovation. If you are involved in managing innovation processes, understanding the overall process of innovation and its variations is a core professional competence. This online module examines innovation from a management perspective, and thus enables you to develop your contribution to the process and management of technological innovation.