Innovation Enterprise and Society: Impact of Financialization- Essay Writing Assignment

Internal Code: 2ICB

Essay Writing Assignment:

Task: Over the past few decades, what key process, product or organizational innovations have been introduced into the industry in which you anticipate developing a career? Why do you think these innovations have been introduced? Are these changes part of a wider social and economic trend? Are they likely to have (wider) significant effects outside your industry? Explain the effect of these innovations on professional practice in the relevant industry. Do you anticipate further changes or innovation? Discuss the likely effect of these? What (if any) professional practice or organisation level responses do you suggest to address the effects of the likely changes? Explain your responses with reference to TWO key concepts from the unit. GUIDELINES AND HINTS:

• As explained above, you can really choose any industry you like – however this is an opportunity for those who anticipate joining a particular profession to examine its present and future practices with reference to innovation.
• Identify whether the relevant key innovations are process, product, organizational (or in some cases) marketing innovations or a combination of these.
• I have uploaded SOME entirely optional readings focused on accounting and applied finance related professions to get you started (These have been uploaded at the bottom of the Learning Materials section on VUWS –Folder name: optional resources for Essay Topic ONE ). However these obviously do not apply to all professions. At any rate – even students using these readings are required to also to find and refer to at least FOUR other refereed scholarly readings.  If you are unsure whether a source is a scholarly reading – use the appropriate filter on the library catalogue page. These scholarly readings don’t have to all relate to your profession. They can theoretical or be used to make a more general point as part of your overall argument.
• Depending on the industry you have chosen, you may not be able to answer ALL sections of the question equally fully. That is OK. The principle object is to analyse present or future PRACTICE in terms of TWO key concepts from the unit. Depending on your chosen industry – the connection with key unit concepts may be more or less direct. Some suggestions from which – please don’t feel limited by these. You may find that your research leads you to doubt or question two key concepts from the unit. That is OK.  However it is important here to at least clearly explain the concepts you are questioning/doubting BEFORE hand. Here are some options from which to choose your two key concepts– however do not limit yourself to
  • The motive for mechanisation (labour saving) and cost competition between firms. (Weeks 2 and 3)
  • The employment effects of mechanization (Weeks 5 and 6)
  • The impact of financialization on innovation and knowledge workers in organisations/work design and human resource management practices to enhance the productivity of knowledge and innovation workers (Week 7)
  • Comparisons and relations between small businesses (such as innovative start-ups) and large corporations (Week 8)
  • The impact of financialization on professional practice in financial and non-financial industries (Week 7)
  • Public policy and funding of innovation – its significance for or impact on your chosen industry. (Weeks 10 and 11).
  • The impact if any of the intellectual property rights (patenting and copyright) revolution on your chosen profession.
• It is VERY important that, when you chose these two key unit concepts that you show evidence of having engaged with the essential readings for the relevant weeks. You do not have to read ALL the uploaded readings. Here you need to refer to my uploaded guide to the key readings for the weeks you have chosen. This is an important part of the marking criteria.