ORG702: Innovation Networks, Thought Leadership & Movement Building

Instructor & Contact Information

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Course Description

In this course you will learn the mechanisms of the diffusion of innovation among organizations. You will also learn how innovation networks and other mechanisms enable both social and religious movements. A key assumption of this course is that much of the most important innovation happens through interpersonal learning of tacit and explicit knowledge rather than the common academic overemphasis on explicit knowledge. In this course you will interview top experts and identify the leading sources of innovation mapped to the needs of learning for yourself and your organization. The final project is focused on developing an interpersonal research plan for your doctoral program to enable growth of your organization, its innovation networks and larger movements.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Develop a presentation mapping out the diffusion of innovation mechanisms for your organization and larger movements. 
2. Research and interview top experts as steps to building your own community of practice. 
3. Research sources of learning and innovation that align with the learning needs of yourself and your organization.  
4. Analyze the mechanisms that enable social and religious movements and apply that to research strategies to grow your organization and affiliated movements. 
5. Develop an interpersonal research plan to enable diffusion of innovation of implicit and tacit learning for yourself and your organization. 

Degree Program Outcomes

This course supports the following program outcomes, marked with an (I) for Introduce, (D) for Develop and an (M) for Mastery.

1. Research methods. Apply action research methods to practical research topics in the field.
2. Diffusion of Innovation. Utilize technology and relational networking to help diffuse innovations within a community of practice. (D)
3. Values Alignment. To develop a theological vision and to align your organization's strategy, culture and systems with that vision to avoid secularization and mission drift.
4. Strategy. To develop a synthesis to integrate a wide range of business skills into a strategic plan for starting or growing an organization.
5. Social Entrepreneurship. Develop strategies and plans to effectively use technology and innovation to achieve organizational goals.
6. Action Research Project. Synthesize action research with theory and practice to solve a practical challenge facing your organization and/or the larger field. (D)

Broad Institutional Outcomes

• I1. Knowledge (Head). Apply a wide range of tools to help solve society’s great problems by shifting from a single lens/tool/discipline to a multiple lens, multifaceted Biblical understanding of reality.
• I2. Skills (Hands). Develop the skills you need for the next position in your development as a leader by shifting from mastery & understanding of a division in an organization to a comprehensive systemic mastery/understanding needed to lead across the organization.
• I3. Attitudes/Character (Heart). Develop the character and discipline needed to step into greater leadership roles by losing the bias of your old position to gain broader perspective and intellectual humility needed to accelerate your commitment to lifelong learning. (D)

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

• DeFronzo, J., & Gill, J. (2020). Social Problems and Social Movements. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN: 978-1442221543
• Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations, (5th Edition). Free Press. ISBN: 978-0743222099
• Webber, E. (2018). Building Successful Communities of Practice: Discover How Connecting People Makes Better Organizations. Blurb. ISBN: 978-0957491939

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

• Grading Scale 

• Deadlines to Drop Courses

• Attendance, Late Policy and Extensions

• Technology Requirements for Courses

• Standards of Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Policy

• What plagiarism is and how to avoid it 

• Credit Hour Policy, Grading Policy and Other Academic Policies

• ADA Policy, Learning Accommodations & Disabilities Services
• Student Code of Conduct 

• Library Services

Additional Policies:

• Privacy Policy

• Consumer Disclosures
• Additional policies are listed in our catalog

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated:  November 24, 2025.