Course 2016-2017 a.y.

Course Objectives

This course develops students' understanding of how firms use technology and innovation to position themselves strategically, from the perspective of a Director of Business Development. For this purpose, we rely also on real business cases, dealing with firms which have faced the challenges of managing innovation and technology strategy.
In part 1 we begin with an understanding innovating firms and of how technological systems evolve, with particular emphasis on platforms and ecosystems.
In part 2 we explore the different ways through which firms manage innovation and which organizational structures are best suited to foster or hamper innovation. In part 3 we conclude by covering some emergent hot topics in the strategic management of innovation and technology.

Course Content Summary

• Part 1. Fundamentals of Technology Strategy and Innovation Management
• Part 2. Building the Innovating Organization
• Part 3. Emerging Themes and Industries
  

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

• Class participation (10%).
• Assignment (10%)
  
• Project (30%)
  
• Two partial written exams (50%).

Textbooks

• D.B. Yoffie, M.A. Cusumano, Strategy Rules: Five Timeless Lessons from Bill Gates, Andy Grove, and Steve Jobs, New York, Harper Business
• S. Shane, Technology Strategy for Managers and Entrepreneurs, Prentice Hall
  

• P. Zanella, Cases and Readings on Technology and Innovation Strategy, Egea, 2016
• Handouts distributed throughout the course
• D.B. Yoffie, M.A. Cusumano, Strategy Rules: Five Timeless Lessons from Bill Gates, Andy Grove, and Steve Jobs, New York, Harper Business