Discuss whether firms can manage innovation and the range of mechanisms they can put in place to facilitate innovation and new product development.

The coursework for this unit requires students to write an essay. 

This will help students revise and prepare for the end of unit examination. 

The essay should be no more than 1000 words in length. This will help students revise and prepare for the end of unit examination. 

Topic & Question

Bill Gates (2008), the founder of Microsoft said: “We control sales, profits and innovation”. 

Discuss whether firms can manage innovation and the range of mechanisms they can put in place to facilitate innovation and new product development.

Discuss whether firms can manage innovation and the range of mechanisms they can put in place to facilitate innovation and new product development.

 Look for arguments to support both sides
 Can a company keep track of the market or are some too unpredictable?
 Mechanisms to help – e.g. W.L. Gore & Associates’ lattice structure and employees being allowed to pursue their own ideas.
 Make reference to models, e.g. the CIM, Cooper’s Stage-Gate, etc.

Structure 
• Introduction
• Direction: what is the essay about?
• Define key terms
• Main body
• Develop arguments using evidence
• Include examples, references, tables, data, etc.
• Is the point relevant to the title?
• Conclusions
• Summarise key points
• Recommendations for different parties