Study Programmes 2015-2016
GEST3036-1  
Social Innovation
Duration :
30h Th
Number of credits :
Master in management (120 ECTS)5
Certificat d'université en Management des entreprises sociales4
Lecturer :
Benjamin Huybrechts
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
This course examines the concept and the process of social innovation, i.e. the generation and implementation of new solutions to social and environmental needs. The course is structured along the main steps of the social innovation process and devotes an important place to examining the ability of different types of actors (for-profit businesses, social enterprises, public authorities, etc.) in individually and jointly conceiving and implementing these innovations.
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Learning outcomes of the course :
In coherence with the Intended Learning Outcomes  of the Master in Management program and more particularly of its specialization in "Social Enterprise Management", the course will enable students to:
  • Identify the dynamics of and opportunities for social innovation in different historical and geographical contexts
  • Master and implement the different steps of the social innovation process
  • Analyze the different strategic options available at each step of the process, bearing in mind the assets and limits of different types of actors (for-profit companies, social enterprises, publi authorities, etc.) in the conception and diffusion of social innovation
  Hence, this course contributes to the following Intended Learning Outcomes :     ILO-2 : Gaining the knowledge and understanding of one of the proposed fields of concentration or to gain deep knowledge in the field of the management being already specialized thru a first University Master Degree .    ILO-4 : To acquire the capacity to research autonomously and methodically the information needed to solve a complex, transversal management problem,    ILO-5 : Integrate autonomously researched information, tools, knowledge and context to build and propose, either individually or as part of a team, original, creative and viable solutions to concrete complex management problems, whether real or simulated, taking into account, when necessary, the human, social and legal context.   ILO-6 : Ability to speak 2 foreign languages: C1 in English and B2 in one other language.   ILO-9 : Developing a critical sense (arguing)   ILO-10 : Developing a transversal, global vision    ILO-11 : Creative conception of solutions    ILO-12 : Professional capacity for oral communication   ILO-13 : Professional capacity for written communication     ILO-14 : Faced with a management problem, suggesting solutions that are ethical and socially responsible and that respect the principles of good governance.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
A course in innovation and/or entrepreneurship
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Each class will include:
- the presentation of theoretical and conceptual elements by the teacher, using Powerpoint slides
- empirical illustrations (case studies) brought by the teacher and also regularly by a guest speaker
- a presentation by a group of students to highlight a particular aspect of the class content (prepared in advance together with the teacher)
- open discussions regarding key questions throughout the social innovation process
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
This course is delivered face-to-face fully in English and requires active participation of all the students.
Recommended or required readings :
The virtual platform Lol@ (lola.hec.ulg.ac.be) will be used to post:
- The Powerpoint presentations used during the classes
- Articles supporting each class and helping the students to prepare their group works, individual assignments and final exercise.
Assessment methods and criteria :
The evaluation will be based on:
- The involvement of the student during each class (25%)
- Regular one-page individual assignments based on one or two questions introduced well in advance and to be applied to existing and potential cases of social innovations, as both a prepration for the class and a training for the final work (20%)
- A group work linked with one particular class and supported with articles and cases, to be presented during the class (15%)
- A final, individual written work and an oral presentation based on a new idea of a social innovation to be developed along the process steps seen in the course (40%)
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
The course takes place during the second semester (from early February to early May), on Mondays from 9.00 to 11.30am at the "Opera" building (city centre). The presence of each student is compulsory and the involvement in the class will be formally evaluated.
Contacts :
Prof. Benjamin Huybrechts b.huybrechts@ulg.ac.be 04/366.31.35