Course 2023-2024 a.y.

30529 - ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STRATEGIC INNOVATION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY

Department of Management and Technology

Course taught in English
Go to class group/s: 31
CLEAM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - CLEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - CLEACC (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - BESS-CLES (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - WBB (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - BIEF (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - BIEM (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - BIG (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - BEMACS (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10) - BAI (6 credits - II sem. - OP  |  3 credits SECS-P/07  |  3 credits SECS-P/10)
Course Director:
STEFANIA SAVIOLO

Classes: 31 (II sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: STEFANIA SAVIOLO


Suggested background knowledge

Background knowledge in business policy and basic accounting is recommended.

Mission & Content Summary

MISSION

The course proposes an experiential learning solution to develop the skills most critical to success in today's business landscape: design and plan innovative business models. The course offers an industry focus, fashion, luxury and retail and integrates key topics such as sustainability and digitalization. Students learn how to design innovative business models with the support of a proprietary simulation software that allows to develop a practical approach integrating creative ideas with competitive and financial dimensions. Action learning is very relevant today particularly when contents are complex and multi-faced as business models innovation and entrepreneurship. Students can see the immediate consequences of their decisions and learn what it’s truly like to juggle competing priorities amidst a constant influx of information provided by the professors. The learning process will be enhanced by the collaboration of external guest speakers and a start up accelerator.

CONTENT SUMMARY

Key topics include:

  • Pillars of business models in fashion.
  • Entrepreneurship in fashion.
  • Drivers for strategic and business models innovation (sustainability, technologies, customers, product offers).
  • Business planning.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Define the drivers of entrepreneurship in fashion
  • Identify key pillars of a business model in fashion (value propositon, value chain design, revenue model, governance) and drivers for strategic and business model innovation.
  • Analyse drivers for growth in fashion (brand and line extension, vertical integration, internationalisation) and the quest for sustainability in fashion.
  • Understand the importance of IP protection in innovation management.
  • Recognize how strategic choices in terms of product design, marketing, go to market, value chain design impact economic success and financial sustainability.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

At the end of the course student will be able to...
  • Evaluate their potential as entrepreneurs.
  • Assess strategic options for long-term competitive advantage and international growth in businesses with major importance of creativity, branding and a global scope of activities.
  • Design and develop business plans.
  • Discuss and defend their concept and business plan in front of a professional audience

 


Teaching methods

  • Face-to-face lectures
  • Online lectures
  • Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
  • Exercises (exercises, database, software etc.)
  • Case studies /Incidents (traditional, online)
  • Group assignments
  • Interactive class activities on campus/online (role playing, business game, simulation, online forum, instant polls)

DETAILS

  • Introductory sessions about entrepreneurship, business models innovation, sustainability in fashion and business planning techniques in fashion also with the support of guest speakers (approx. 30%). Action learning through the Business Game Simulation FAST to be carried out in 3 full days by students organized into groups with professors available for tutorship in dedicated session (60%), final plenary sessions wrap up  (10%).
  • The Business Game  simulation FAST has a unique focus on fashion and the possibility of understand the impact of managerial decisions in these industries (i.e creativity models, make or buy in supply chain design, seasonal product offer size and scope, planning licensing contracts, opening stores, evaluating how to incorporate sustainability into the strategy and business processes…).

Assessment methods

  Continuous assessment Partial exams General exam
  • Written individual exam (traditional/online)
     x
  • Group assignment (report, exercise, presentation, project work etc.)
     x
  • Active class participation (virtual, attendance)
     x
  • Peer evaluation
     x

ATTENDING STUDENTS

The attending students evaluation is 70% group based (the outcome of the business plan simulation FAST) and 30% based on a written individual test.

Students are evaluated on several factors: the knowledge of different business models in fashion and best cases and knowledge of the innovation drivers in fashion (individual test) and the ability to define an innovative entrepreneurial idea that they can protect, the ability to build a consistent and profitable business model for that idea, the ability to make the right strategic choices for global expansion and for a sustainable business (group assignment).  


NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

The evaluation is 100% based on an individual written test with a mix of open questions and multiple choice/answer aimed at assessing: knowledge of the concept of business model innovation with examples, knowledge of the creative process within symbol intensive companies and approaches to IP protection in innovation, capability to evaluate the impact of digital transformation on business models in fashion, how supply chains in fashion work, how investors evaluate sustainable business models.


Teaching materials


ATTENDING STUDENTS

Course handouts and supporting materials communicated as the course starts and uploaded on Blackboard


NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS

  • Course materials for non attending students available or indicated on Blackboard at the course start

  • S.Saviolo, Borney G.M. "The branded supply chain", Bocconi University Press, 2021 (selected chapters: 1-4-5-6-8-9)

Last change 01/12/2023 11:18