Course syllabus

Syllabus TEK650 Strategic management of technological innovation

Examiner: Martin Wallin

Responsible teachers: Associate Professor Marcus Holgersson, Professor Martin Wallin
firstname.lastname@chalmers.se

Teaching assistant (TA): Maria Kandaurova
maria.kandaurova@chalmers.se

Level: Advanced
Credits: 7.5 ECTS
Period: Quarter 1, Fall semester 2020

Scheduled in class sessions: Block schedule D: Tuesdays and Fridays starting September 1, 2020. Check schedule for exact hours.

Office hours: Please approach us directly after in class sessions. All questions between lectures are handled by the TA maria.kandaurova@chalmers.se

Purpose and course overview
This course aims to prepare students for different types of management tasks related to technology and innovation. This is done by making students familiar with a set of theories and tools used for strategic management of technological innovation. Besides theoretical understanding, a major ambition of the course is to teach students how to analyze and deal with complex innovation-related challenges typically faced by managers.

The ultimate aim of the course is to help students work more effectively and successfully in their professional careers.

Learning outcomes
After completion of the course, the student should be able to:
a. Apply tools and theories of strategic management of technological innovation
b. Convey insights from the analysis of strategic management of technological innovation Participate in strategic decision-making
c. Participate in decision-making linked to strategic management of technological innovation

Content
a. Industry dynamics of technological innovation, e.g. sources of innovation and types and patterns of innovation
b. Formulating technological innovation strategy, e.g. defining the organization’s strategic direction, collaboration strategies and protecting innovation (intellectual property rights)
c. Implementing technological innovation strategy, e.g., organizing for innovation and managing the new product development process

Organization
The course is delivered completely online with both synchronous and asynchronous elements. The course consists of a number of modules, each one consisting of individual preparation, a study group or simulation group session, and a class session. The individual preparation is based on readings, videos, and a set of study questions. You will be assigned to study groups and simulation groups, where you will discuss and prepare for the class sessions. One of the modules is a simulation of strategic management of technological innovation as practiced by a technology firm.

House rules for class sessions
- Be on time
- Be prepared
- Be active
- Use your full name when signing in to Zoom sessions
- Turn on camera
- Mute microphone unless talking
- Be prepared to be cold-called (no heads up) or warm-called (some heads up) to answer questions related to what has been discussed in the study groups
- No recording of class sessions

Literature
Schilling, M. A. (2020). Strategic management of technological innovation. McGraw Hill, Sixth Edition. The book is available at Chalmers Store or online e.g at Adlibris.

Material posted on Canvas.

Examination
The examination consists of (a) a written exam and (b) attendance. The exam can give a maximum of 25 points. The grading scheme is Fail (0-9.5 points), 3 (10-14.5 points), 4 (15-19.5 points), 5 (20-25 points). To pass the course, 80% prepared and active attendance at class sessions is required as well as a completed Study Book.

Link to Study Book: Study book TEK650 Strategic Management of Technological Innovation.docx

All material discussed and handed out during the course is ground for examination. Note: Schilling (2020) is essential to the course. The exam will be a closed book exam.

For students with less than 80% attendance (fewer than 10 out of 13 class sessions) there will be an opportunity for make-up exercises. To make up for one missed class session, the case discussion questions (beginning of chapter) and chapter discussion questions (end of chapter) related to that module should be answered based on the chapter content. The hand-in for each make-up exercise should be 1500-2000 words, and is handed in to the TA within two weeks after the session. Contact the TA for instructions if you need to make up the simulation exercise. 

Academic honesty
You are expected to follow the Chalmers’ guidelines for academic honesty and integrity.