• 097613 - METHODS AND TOOLS FOR SYSTEMATIC INNOVATION C - INNOVATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (I.C. MODULE)

Objectives and scope

The course aims at providing theoretical and practical skills to guide and coordinate R&D&I activities.

More in details, it consists of two complementary parts: the first concerns the exploitation of patents as a source of technical information for competitive intelligence and information extraction supporting innovation activities. This part of the program covers Intellectual Property fundamentals and patentability criteria; it provides theoretical and practical skills for patent search and patent analysis, both through manual and computer-based tools. The second part of the course is dedicated to a survey of the main mechanisms characterizing the competition between alternative technologies, the main models describing the dynamics of innovation and to a detailed description of the most recent technology forecasting methodologies.

Detailed description of topics

Intellectual Property: fundamentals, patentability criteria, patent application process (IT, EP, PCT). Structure and features of a patent document.

Patent search: patent databases, functionalities and limitations.

Patent classifications: IPC, ECLA, FI, CPC.

Patent analysis: statistical analysis and bibliometrics.

Patent strategies and techniques for patent breaking.

Text-mining fundamentals. Compute-based applications for patent mining.  

Technological diffusion: from invention to innovation.

Competitive product development and Knowledge needs.

Competition models: pure competition, pray/predator, symbiotic, parasitic.

Types and Patterns of Innovation: product/process, breakthrough/incremental, competence enhancing/competence destroying.

Innovation from the user’s perspective: customer requirements classification models, value innovation.

Methods and tools for Technology Forecasting: classification, potentialities and limitations.

Exemplary techniques for Technology Forecasting: Delphi Method; Logistic growth model, Logistic Substitution model; Innovation diffusion models; TRIZ-based forecasting.

FORMAT Methodology: phases and tasks of a technology forecasting activity.

The course consists of lectures and practice sessions, including a collaborative project driven by an industrial case study proposed by partner companies.

The evaluation is based on an individual written test based on the practical sessions proposed in the semester (50%) and on a project work developed in team (50%).

In Italian