Insegnamento a.a. 2023-2024

The course is structured into two main parts:

In Part 1 we will begin with an understanding of how technological systems evolve, with particular emphasis on the development of innovation and the emergence of standards, then we will turn to understanding networks. We will show how technology shapes industry through the development of entry barriers but also the opportunity of differentiation with new products and services. We will devote specific attention to general-purpose technologies like the Internet, social media, or artificial intelligence and how they are transforming industries and organizations into new open systems and are stimulating opportunities for entrepreneurship.

In Part 2 we will focus on the operational processes that a company has to design and manage in order to deliver innovations to the market. Specifically, we will explore how firms develop new products, how they can leverage the knowledge of consumers in the innovation process, and which organizational structures are best suited to foster or hamper innovation. We will devote specific attention to digital instruments that support innovation through the creation of an open structure.

• Understand and disentangle the different types of innovation and the related implications.
• Identify theoretical models which help explaining and contextualizing technological change.
• Recognize the different approaches to manage innovation and technological change.

• Evaluate the strategic effects of innovation, depending on the context and the industry.
• Evaluate the innovative activity of a firm and provide corrective measures.
• Recognize threats and opportunities brought by technological change.
• Provide solutions to different common business problems where innovation plays a major role.
• Interact in a constructive way and think critically.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Case studies /Incidents (traditional, online)
• Group assignments

Face-to-face lectures will serve the purpose of introducing students to the theoretical foundations of technology and innovation strategy.

Cases will be discussed to identify theoretical concepts from real-life situations, students are therefore expected to read the assigned cases prior to the related sessions in order to engage in an active in-class discussion.

In addition to face-to-face lectures and case studies, there will be a session dedicated to the consultancy group work.

Finally, we expect to have guest speakers who will deliver a direct experience on the main issues they faced when dealing with technology and innovation and how they successfully (or unsuccessfully) solved them.

The course is based on strong interaction. Not only attendance is recommended, but class interaction and participation will be evaluated. Students will also take part to two in-class tests, which will also be graded. A final written exam will evaluate students' overall understanding of the topics.

To be considered attending, students must attend at least 75% of the classes (attendance will be recorded at each session) and participate to all in-class individual tests.

The final grade will be computed as follows:

- Class participation (30%) will be evaluated at the group level. Students are expected to divide into self-formed groups of maximum 6 students. Each group should pick a name and elect a group spokesman, to whom the instructors will address any specific communication.

- Two in-class individual tests (20%) will evaluate students’ ongoing understanding of the theoretical models introduced in class.

- A final written exam (50%) will evaluate students’ understanding of theoretical models on the different types of innovation and on technological change.

Assessment of non-attending students is entirely based on a final written exam that not only probes the student’s understanding of the concepts inherent to innovation, technological change, and their management, but also the student’s ability to think critically and apply the learned models to business situations that involve technology and innovation.

• Handouts distributed throughout the course.
• Cases as in the syllabus.
• Readings as in the syllabus.

Suggested reading:

• S. Shane. Technology Strategy for Managers and Entrepreneurs. Prentice Hall.

Information on how to download the cases will be provided in class. Cases are available for a limited amount of time. All students, attending and non-attending, should download all the cases before the end of the course.

• S. Shane. Technology Strategy for Managers and Entrepreneurs. Prentice Hall.
• Handouts distributed throughout the course.
• Cases as in the syllabus.
• Readings as in the syllabus.

Information on how to download the cases will be provided in class. Cases are available for a limited amount of time. All students, attending and non-attending, should download all the cases before the end of the course.