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CMO 3PGN - Politics of Global Innovation Networks* "NOT ESTABLISHED"

Faculty
Stine Jessen Haakonsson
Course Coordinator
Stine Jessen Haakonsson
Course content, structure and teaching
This course addresses the role of international organizations, regions and states in facilitating the development of knowledge intensive industries into global innovation networks. Until recently, economic globalisation has been understood as the outsourcing of low value added activities to low cost areas. Today, large companies increasingly search the globe for knowledge and innovation. International organisations play important roles in this process as facilitators and/or regulators of global innovation. This development is not just limited to advanced economies but increasingly involves firms and regions in developing countries – especially the emerging economies (e.g. Brazil, China and India).
During the course we will look into how international organizations impact the formation of global innovation networks in knowledge intensive industries. The World Trade Organization (WTO) plays an important role in facilitating innovation networks, mainly with its Agreement and Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs Agreement). Also Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union (EU) are increasingly developing policies to attract and sustain high-skilled labor. These policies mainly concern how to stay competitive in the globalization process. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is involved in policies for upgrading developing country industries and making these more attractive locations in the process. Also United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) calls for the establishment of unlimited technology transfers from the global North to South within renewable energy.
The course's development of personal competences
The course will enhance the understanding of the role of international organizations in framing the possibilities and obstacles for knowledge intensive industries in the global economy.
The course will be taught as interactive lectures and include guest lectures and case studies.
Learning Objectives
After the course, students will:
  • Be able to identify and analyze the most recent developments within the global political economy – the emergence of global innovation networks (GINs).
  • Have knowledge of the relevant international organizations and actors in this process.
  • Understand the facilitating role of international organizations in GINs.
  • Be able to identify the impact of particular international organizations in knowledge intensive sectors (e.g. IT, windmill, pharmaceuticals).
Type of examination, exam aids and assessment
Oral exam on the basis of a synopsis.
Recommended literature
  • D. Archibugi, J. Howells and J. Michie. Innovation Policy in a Global Economy. Cambridge University Press.
  • D. Ernst. 2006. “Innovation Off-shoring. Asia’s Emerging Role in Global Innovation Networks”
  • K. E. Maskus. 2004. “Encouraging International Technology Transfer”. ICTSD Issue Paper no. 7.
  • J. Fagerberg et al. The Oxford Handbook of Innovation. Oxford University Press.

Last updated by The Electives Office 22/06/2010