MRSyllabus_E0211.v1

Innovation Management

Academic Year: 2014/2015 Trimester | Semester: Fourth Trimester Instructor(s): Raffaele Conti __________________________________________________________________________________ Course Description: This course provides a series of conceptual tools for profiting from innovation. We will use a combination of lectures and case studies to explore and apply theoretical frameworks in a practical, business policy context. __________________________________________________________________________________ Course Content: i. Introduction: What is Competitive Advantage?

Besanko Ch.11-12

Ducati (HBS case 9-701-132) ii. Innovation as the origin of Competitive Advantage

Besanko Ch.13

Chef Davide Oldani and Ristorante D’O (HBS case 9-613-080) iii. Organizing the Firm for Innovating

Schilling, Chapter 2, 10, 12

Stern (2003)

IDEO (HBS case 600-143) iv. Protecting Innovation

Schilling, Chapter 9

X-IT and Kidde (HBS case 803-041) v. Managing the Organizational Change Implied by Innovation

Università Bocconi: Transformation in the New Millennium (HBS case 9-709-406) __________________________________________________________________________________ Course Objectives: The course should be of particular interest for future managers, entrepreneurs, or consultants, who must understand the role of innovation in affecting competitive advantage. __________________________________________________________________________________

MRSyllabus_E0211.v1

Grading: Written final exam: 60% The written exam will be closed book, and students will be asked to discuss / answer questions on the topics discussed in class. Group project: 30% A group project is a presentation analyzing an innovative company (or a particular innovation of a company) of your choice, using the theoretical frameworks developed during the course. Each group must carefully cite the sources from which information on the case has been drawn. The presentation of the project – which will take place at the end of the course – will be made of PowerPoint slides, a hard copy of which will be handed in to the instructor at the beginning of the class. However, to ensure that you are making good progress and provide opportunities for feedback, there will be an interim presentation at the middle of the course. The evaluation of the project will be based upon the following items:

Formal presentation: arguments discussed: what is the point you are trying to make?; data gathering and analysis; variety of data sources; conclusions and recommendations; clear, logical flow; ability to maintain class interest; quality of visual aids; ability to manage time constraints.

Questions and Answers (Q&A): ability to understand inquiries; ability to appropriately respond to inquiries with substantive and to-the-point answers.

Class Participation (Individual): 10% A willingness to attend is a central ingredient of this course. Students are required to prepare all of the assigned material carefully, to participate actively, and to respond thoughtfully to classmate comments. The quality of your class participation will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Frequency

Relevance: Are your comments clearly related to the case/topic and to the comments of others?

Advancement: Does your comment move the class discussion forward?

Fact-Based: Have you used specific data from the case, from readings, or from personal experience to support the assertions that you are making?

Logical: Is your reasoning consistent and logical? __________________________________________________________________________________ Bibliography: Besanko, D., Dranove, D., Shanley, M., Schaefer, S. (2004). Economics of strategy. John

Wiley & Sons

Shilling M. 2007. Strategic Management of Technological Innovation. New York: McGraw-

Hill Publishers.

Stern S. 2003. Do Scientist pay to be Scientists?, Management Science, 50(6): 835-853.

__________________________________________________________________________________

MRSyllabus_E0211.v1

Biography: Raffaele Conti is Assistant Professor at Catolica Lisbon, School of Business and Economics. His work focuses on how firms’ strategy affects and is affected by technological innovation. Before joining Catolica, Raffale got a Ph.D. in Business Administration & Management from Bocconi University, and a M.Sc. in Economics from Pompeu Fabra University. __________________________________________________________________________________ Contact(s) and Office hours: raffaele.conti@ucp.pt; office hour by appointment, room 5315