English language level  C 1 (students' language competence will be tested during the first lesson); it is compulsory for students intending to take this exam to have already passed an "Economics" or "Political Economy" exam.

The course is based on the study of development processes as engendered by technological change with a vision à la Schumpeter. The starting point will be a review of the theories of innovation, with specific reference to Classical, Neoclassical and Schumpeterian-evolutionary School of thought . Then the  course will focus on the Schumpeterian-evolutionary ideas of development and change.  The themes which will be tackled concern: the meaning of innovation, the role of knowledge, the role of R&D, technological paridgms, systems of innovation.  

The student is supposed to learn the basic ideas which concern development processes and, specifically, the relationship between development and innovation. Recent and less recent key sectors (mechanical industry during the First Industrial Revolution, ICTs in our days) will be investigated. The policy dimension will also be referred to. 

Traditional lessons will be the main vehicle of the course. Active participation of the students will be sought.

Oral exam at the end of the course. The student will be asked to answer to a minimum of five questions, aimed to ascertain the understanding of the core issues explained during the  course lessons.  

19 June 2019

17 July 2019

11 September 2019

3 October 2019

10 December

(all exams at 1:00 p.m.)

Theories of innovation; Schumpeter "Mark I" and Schumpeter "Mark II" hypotheses;  knowledge in technology and knowledge in science;  market structure and innovation; technological paradigms; systems of innovation; historical examples.

Various sources will be referred to. Introductory chapter of the book edited by G. Antonelli and N. De Liso "Economics of structural and technological change" ; chapter II and IV from J.A. Schumpeter "Theory of economic development"; chapter VII and VIII  from J. A. Schumpeter "Capitalism, socialism and democracy"; selected chapters from J. S. Metcalfe "Evolutionary economics and creative destruction"; chapter "ICTs and the digital division of labour" by N. De Liso. Further selected materials will also be provided.