LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course addresses the main topics related to innovation management and the diffusion of technologies across the maritime logistics field. The course focuses on the main theoretical concepts associated to the development of incremental and radical innovation in maritime logistics firms, emphasizing its systemic dimension across stakeholders’ constellations. The contribution of both material and immaterial technical assets is scrutinized and analysed in-depth, also taking into consideration those “forces” moving against B2B innovation paradigms and slowing down or even stopping their development. The course provides insights on the most common funding schemes for financing innovations processes in the addressed industries. Special attention is awarded to the innovation in the field of digitalization and diffusion of emerging technologies in ports and intermodal transportation, to the introduction of terminal automation, to energy management, and to those technological improvements enhancing operational efficiency and firm financial performance, also preserving the environment and the sustainability of the industry (e.g., LNG-fuelled vessels, production of energy from renewable sources, etc.).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The various educational activities included in the course, i.e., lectures, business cases and seminars held by practitioners, coupled with the individual study, enable the student to:

• acquire in-depth notions related to innovation process and technological trends in service firms;
• understand the role of innovators in technological development, also including the contribution given by stakeholders and business partners;
• know the diverse businesses in maritime logistics (e.g, shipping, port, inland logistics, etc.), that are characterized by a high degree of innovativeness;
• understand the contribution of incremental and radical innovations in the improvement of the efficiency of maritime logistics firms;
• know the role played by innovations and emerging technological solutions in shaping differentiation strategies;
• acquire notions in relation to the funding and risk management of material and immaterial innovations;
• understand the role of innovation and technology in making the maritime logistics industry more sustainable (green);
• know the more diffused and successful innovations in maritime logistics (common and best practices).

PREREQUISITES

The student is expected to have acquired a set of managerial competences during the bachelor which are relevant for an in-depth understanding of the topics addressed in this course. In particular:

• Competitive advantage and critical success factors
• Cost leadership and differentiation strategies
• Value chain and operational process in maritime logistics
• Physical and digital infrastructures in transport and logistics
• Basic notions of marketing and finance
• Investment decisions and capital budgeting.

These topics constitute fundamental arguments for following this course and get a positive evaluation (exam).

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will be provided in blending mode (on-site and on-line), depending of the evolution of the sanitary emergency. In terms of contents, the course is grounded of the provision of theoretical notions regarding innovation paradigms and processes in the maritime logistics industry, corroborated by the presentation of relevant case studies and best/common practices, including seminars held by practitioners and policy makers.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course aims at providing theoretical and practical notions in the field of innovation and technology management, in relation to maritime logistics industry (i.e., shipping, port, hinterland transportation & distribution). The programme of the course is articulated as follows:

Part I – Introduction to innovation management

Part II – Innovation process and technological paradigms

Part III – Innovation and technology in maritime logistics and port management: drivers, actors, funding and barriers to adoption

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the audio/video material, slides and complementary documentation (e.g., papers, book chapters, reports, etc.) discussed during the lectures will be made available on Aulaweb.