1. Innovation - the concept; different perspectives and types. The difference between innovation, invention and difusion. Innovation as a process. Models of invention and of innovation. Measuring innovation - indicators.

2. The Microeconomics of innovation - theory of the firm; success and failure in industrial innovation. Innovation and the size of the firm. Uncertainty, project analysis and innovation. The relationship with the firms'' strategies.

3. Strategy and innovation - innovation and competitiveness; sources of opportunity; life-cycle; risk; appropriation and intelectual property rights. Networks and alliances.

The Macroeconomics of innovation: Science, technology, growth and globalization. National innovation systems. Technology development and diffusion.

5. Firm level innovation dyagnosis and evaluation: the Innovation Scoring methodology.