EIN3027 : Innovation and Creativity
EIN3027 : Innovation and Creativity
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Fiona Whitehurst
- Lecturer: Dr Elaine Tan
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
To introduce students to concepts and theories of creativity and its role in the innovation process. To provide students with an awareness and understanding of the role of management in fostering creativity and (particularly radical) innovation in the workplace. To introduce theoretical perspectives on the wider process of innovation that go beyond a simplistic managerial approach, including social shaping, evolutionary economics and actor networks. To provide students with the basis for critical judgement with regard to the strategies and processes of innovation and creativity management in an organizational context and the role of innovation and creativity in contemporary economic and organizational activity.
Outline Of Syllabus
Semester 1
What is Creativity?
Creative Person(alities)
Creative Teams
Creative Organisations
Leadership and Management for Creativity and Innovation
Creativity techniques and processes
Creative Places
Semester 2
Design - Consumer Culture, Competition, Sustainability
Design Thinking
Disruptive and Radical Innovation
Rational Perspective and Social Shaping
Major Projects and Actor Network Theory (ANT)
Technology Transitions and Failure
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of creativity theories through their application to a specific context (product, person or place).
2. Students are expected to be able to elaborate contrasting approaches to the promotion and management of creativity, design and innovation in organizations.
Intended Skill Outcomes
1. Students are expected to be able to synthesise and evaluate the academic literature on innovation and creativity.
2. Students are expected to be able to produce reasoned arguments supported by theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence.
3. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to work effectively in creative teams
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 20:00 | 40:00 | Assessment Preparation Semester 1: Group Project (20 hours) Semester 2: Exam Preparation (20 hours) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Conventional whole class lectures, but may be supported by pre-recorded material. (PiP) |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 20 | 2:00 | 40:00 | Reviewing Lecture Materials |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Directed preparatory reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Workshops - Larger Group Active Learning |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 62:00 | 62:00 | Reading around the subject and examining case studies |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Assessment Clinics (Online) |
| Guided Independent Study | Online Discussion | 10 | 0:30 | 5:00 | Contributing to online discussion boards |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures introduce students to the main theoretical ideas and processes of creativity management and innovation in different contexts. Students will be introduced to some of the key debates and controversies in the subject area. Critical approaches to the literature will be demonstrated through the lectures.
The small group teaching and module talk sessions permit more detailed discussion of specific issues and case examples and engage students in practical exercises to experience creative practice and design thinking.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 180 | 2 | A | 70 | Examination 2 questions with a choice of 3 covering material in semester 1 and 2 |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | A | 25 | Group Presentation |
| Reflective log | 1 | M | 5 | Based on contribution to the discussion boards |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Students are invited to present their ideas for assignment topics via discussion boards and presentation in seminars for formative feedback in preparation for the individual assignment. |
| Written exercise | 2 | A | An exam preparation session is provided at which previous exam papers/questions are discussed and feed forward given. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Formative Feedback
Feed forward is provided for the group project is provided through the workshops which will cover techniques which can be used to develop the group creative output. A Q&A session is provided at the end of the Autumn term before submission.
An exam preparation session is provided at which previous exam papers/questions are discussed and feed forward given.
Feedback is also provided on group discussions within seminars on specific topics with prior reading.
Summative Assessment
The exam tests students’ knowledge of the subject and their ability critically to assess competing theories and perspectives. Questions will invite critical analysis of key issues in innovation and creativity and their management.
The group oral presentation presents the output of the group creative project and offers an opportunity for students to demonstrate that they have worked effectively in a creative team.
The Discussion Boards are assessed primarily in terms of number of contributions made with the remaining marks available for entries that make a useful contribution to the module and the collective discussion of creativity topics.
RESIT INFORMATION: If students are eligible to a second attempt resit will be an exam and the resit calculation will be based 100% on the completed exam.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EIN3027's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- EIN3027's past Exam Papers
General Notes
Original Handbook text:
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The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.