20494 - INNOVATION AND FIRM STRATEGIES IN ICT SECTORS

The course is divided into two main parts:

• the first part looks at how innovative and competitive behaviour in ICT sectors has evolved over time. Among the topics that are discussed are: the (limited) role for technology push; the diffusion of General Purpose Technologies (GPTs); the organization of proprietary platforms; the presence of asymmetric innovation incentives among incumbents and new entrants; the importance of market oriented learning.
• The second part locates the above topics within the context of specific industries that rely heavily on recent developments in electronic data storage and transmission, including computing, software, storage, networking and mobile telecommunications.

At the end of the course, students are familiar with the basic characteristics of ICT industries, know about the most important concepts and theories and know how to apply them to real-world problems. As a part of the final assessment, students have to develop a group project concerning the success (or failure) of a specific product/service/platform/ company, using the framework developed in class to investigate the technological characteristics, the competitive landscape and firm strategies, and the evolution of the market.

For attending students

• 50% group project (and presentation);
• 50% written exam (2 open questions out of 4) on lectures slides.

For non attending students

• 100% written exam (4 open questions) on:
• lectures slides.

A detailed list of readings will be made available at the beginning of the course.