Business innovation report
Budget: £20 – £250 GBP
Managing Innovation Assessment
The module is assessed (100%) by an individual report (maximum 3,000 words +
10%). The report should be comprised of the following three sections:
1. Theory Explanation. Describe, in detail and in your own words, one or two
innovation theories covered in the module. Deep knowledge of one major
innovation theory will be enough as a basis for a high mark, and you should not
choose more than two innovation theories.
2. Theory Application. Apply your chosen theory (or theories) to explain one or
more products and/or services for your selected organisation. You may also wish
to use your chosen theory to explain how these product/services evolved.
3. Future Development. Apply your chosen theory (or theories) to recommend
possible future development pathways of your products or services for your
selected organisation.
Instructions for assessment
Choose one from the following list of organisations for your assignment:
A. Ikea
B. Monzo
C. Worn Again
D. Dyson
E. Airbnb
Formative work in weekly seminars will guide you through the analytical techniques
and processes required to complete the task.
What is an Innovation Theory
For the purposes of this report, you can consider an innovation theory to be any
theory, or framework, covered in the coursework. As such, you could use Blue
Ocean Strategy, Disruptive Innovation Theory, Business Process Reengineering,
Business Model Canvas, knowledge conversion (SECI), knowledge creation, any of
the 55 business models. Do not use the strategy tools covered in week 2 as these
were for revision.
How will your work be assessed?
The indicative marking scheme for your report is as follows.
1. Theory Explanation (30%): Section 1 as highlighted previously. Range and
understanding of sources, synthesis and focus on relevant ideas.
2. Theory Application (25%): Section 2 as highlighted previously.
Organisation/coherence of argument, support through examples, details,
quotations, and references, critical approach.
3. Future Development (20%): Section 3 as highlighted previously.
Organisation/coherence of argument, support through examples, details,
quotations, and references, critical approach.
4. Imagination (15%): Evidence of creativity and foresight in reflecting on course
materials and articulating a novel and interesting picture of the student’s
innovation.
5. Presentation (10%): Length, use of academic conventions, grammar,
paragraphing, layout, proofreading.
This marking scheme is merely indicative and will not be held to rigidly in assessing
students’ reports. Your final mark for your report will be presented as an un-weighted
mark out of 100%
Your work will be assessed by a subject expert. Feedback will be given in the
Turnitin/Grademark system with script comments plus overall points. When you
access your marked work it is important that you reflect on the feedback so that you
can use it to improve future assignments.
In this report, high marks come from using innovation concepts and analysis from the
module clearly applied to the organisation. Harvard referencing, a professional report
style plus appropriate diagrams/tables are also required.
Your assignment should have a maximum word limit of 3000 words (+10%),
excluding references and any appendices, tables, and/or diagrams. There is no
minimum word count for this report as the exercise is for you to write as concisely as
possible to communicate your argument.
Marks will be awarded for your ability to integrate, in a relevant way in your essay,
some of the principal literature, theories, models, and frameworks of innovation from
the module. Marks will also be awarded for your imaginative use of concepts from
within and beyond the innovation literature to explain and predict the development of
your chosen innovative products, services, or processes.
The module is assessed (100%) by an individual report (maximum 3,000 words +
10%). The report should be comprised of the following three sections:
1. Theory Explanation. Describe, in detail and in your own words, one or two
innovation theories covered in the module. Deep knowledge of one major
innovation theory will be enough as a basis for a high mark, and you should not
choose more than two innovation theories.
2. Theory Application. Apply your chosen theory (or theories) to explain one or
more products and/or services for your selected organisation. You may also wish
to use your chosen theory to explain how these product/services evolved.
3. Future Development. Apply your chosen theory (or theories) to recommend
possible future development pathways of your products or services for your
selected organisation.
Instructions for assessment
Choose one from the following list of organisations for your assignment:
A. Ikea
B. Monzo
C. Worn Again
D. Dyson
E. Airbnb
Formative work in weekly seminars will guide you through the analytical techniques
and processes required to complete the task.
What is an Innovation Theory
For the purposes of this report, you can consider an innovation theory to be any
theory, or framework, covered in the coursework. As such, you could use Blue
Ocean Strategy, Disruptive Innovation Theory, Business Process Reengineering,
Business Model Canvas, knowledge conversion (SECI), knowledge creation, any of
the 55 business models. Do not use the strategy tools covered in week 2 as these
were for revision.
How will your work be assessed?
The indicative marking scheme for your report is as follows.
1. Theory Explanation (30%): Section 1 as highlighted previously. Range and
understanding of sources, synthesis and focus on relevant ideas.
2. Theory Application (25%): Section 2 as highlighted previously.
Organisation/coherence of argument, support through examples, details,
quotations, and references, critical approach.
3. Future Development (20%): Section 3 as highlighted previously.
Organisation/coherence of argument, support through examples, details,
quotations, and references, critical approach.
4. Imagination (15%): Evidence of creativity and foresight in reflecting on course
materials and articulating a novel and interesting picture of the student’s
innovation.
5. Presentation (10%): Length, use of academic conventions, grammar,
paragraphing, layout, proofreading.
This marking scheme is merely indicative and will not be held to rigidly in assessing
students’ reports. Your final mark for your report will be presented as an un-weighted
mark out of 100%
Your work will be assessed by a subject expert. Feedback will be given in the
Turnitin/Grademark system with script comments plus overall points. When you
access your marked work it is important that you reflect on the feedback so that you
can use it to improve future assignments.
In this report, high marks come from using innovation concepts and analysis from the
module clearly applied to the organisation. Harvard referencing, a professional report
style plus appropriate diagrams/tables are also required.
Your assignment should have a maximum word limit of 3000 words (+10%),
excluding references and any appendices, tables, and/or diagrams. There is no
minimum word count for this report as the exercise is for you to write as concisely as
possible to communicate your argument.
Marks will be awarded for your ability to integrate, in a relevant way in your essay,
some of the principal literature, theories, models, and frameworks of innovation from
the module. Marks will also be awarded for your imaginative use of concepts from
within and beyond the innovation literature to explain and predict the development of
your chosen innovative products, services, or processes.