Narratives for Impact

This course will draw on a series of inductive teaching methods. We will provide various teaching techniques and input sessions to enable students to access independently a large share of the subject matter. For example, students will learn to study, digest, and present academic content and apply it to current real problems - for example, we will not only teach how to read academic articles, but also enable students to present them cohesively in a debate format. In addition, students will get to know methods help them analyze and understand the importance of narratives for innovation processes, again drawing on specific real-life examples such as corporate training and image movies. The diverse set of methods students will get to know will help them explore and understand the various roles narratives may play in different types of innovative and entrepreneurial activities, and see how narratives may help realize a (pre-)intended way of corporate (entrepreneurial) actitivty. The final written report will showcase students' creativity and their ability to transfer what they have learned to another (real-life) setting.

- To learn key theoretical foundations for better understanding the role impact has in business innovation processes and entrepreneurship. - To develop an understanding of the role of storytelling and narrative in shaping collaborative innovation processes as well as public perception of entrepreneurship and social impact in general. - To critically analyze the portrayal of entrepreneurship and innovation in a range of films and media, and to identify key themes and messages related to impact-oriented entrepreneurship. - To explore the ways in which films can inspire and inform entrepreneurial efforts aimed at addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges. - To encourage creative thinking and the development of innovative ideas for addressing social and environmental challenges. - To build skills in critical analysis, oral and written communication, and collaborative problem- solving. After the course, students will be able to: - Define, explain, critically discuss and apply key theories related to both impact and narratives. - Interpret, classify, and assess the conduct and performance of any organization’s innovation efforts. - Describe, compare, and appraise entrepreneurial strategies and innovation concepts given their potential societal impact. - Distinguish the newly learned impact and narrative theories from previously learned management perspectives. - Evaluate how future films may affect innovation processes.

This module is examined via your solution of exercises (“Übungsleistung”). Specifically, we draw on two types of exercises to assess whether students have reached the above learning goals. These elements correspond to the “Teaching Methods” listed in a separate section. There is no written exam. - Oral, individual – 50%: we will assess the quality of your contributions toward solving pre- assigned question in class discussions (i.e. film screenings, debate workshop) to see whether you can define, explain, and apply in practice key theories of impact, narrative and entrepreneurship (discussion of readings); describe, compare, and appraise different existing narrative solutions for a given organizational context (teaching case study discussions); and compose innovative ideas for addressing social and environmental challenges through narrative storytelling (final presentation). - Written, group – 50%: at the end of the course, you will submit a group reflection paper in the form of a slide show in which you will highlight your key learning in this course, so as to show that you can distinguish the newly learned theories from previously learned management perspectives. As a group, you will be assigned a future film, which you will analyze by drawing on some of the concepts learned in class. This is used to showcase that you can interpret, classify, and assess the conduct and performance of any organization aiming to inspire, inform and mobilise entrepreneurial efforts aimed at addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.

In general, students from all departments are admitted to the seminar, but a good command of English and a general interest in sustainability/impact issues are basic requirements to take the course. Willingness to read scientific literature is an important prerequisite, as knowledge of it will influence the final grade. We strongly discourage 1st and 2nd semester students as well as students who have not yet completed 6 ECTS in a research philosophy course.

This course will draw on a series of inductive teaching methods. We will provide various teaching techniques and input sessions to enable students to access independently a large share of the subject matter. For example, students will learn to study, digest, and present academic content and apply it to current real problems - for example, we will not only teach how to read academic articles, but also enable students to present them cohesively in a debate format. In addition, students will get to know methods help them analyze and understand the importance of narratives for innovation processes, again drawing on specific real-life examples such as corporate training and image movies. The diverse set of methods students will get to know will help them explore and understand the various roles narratives may play in different types of innovative and entrepreneurial activities, and see how narratives may help realize a (pre-)intended way of corporate (entrepreneurial) actitivty. The final written report will showcase students' creativity and their ability to transfer what they have learned to another (real-life) setting.