STRATEGIC AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

The course is made up of two modules. The aim of the first module is to introduce the student to the

principles of strategic management, and to the analysis of Business, Corporate, and Network-level

strategies. The module further provides tools for the analysis of the organizational, the industrial and

international contexts. The aim of the second module is to address some of the most important issues in

the management of innovation and in the definition of innovation strategies.

COURSE

The is made up of lectures on theory. In addition, practical sessions will be held on a weekly basis during which students will  discuss 

case studies concerning the topics of the course. Students organized in groups will have to prepare each week the discussion of a case study according to the indications provided by the teacher. The other students will be asked to read the assigned cases and actively participate in the class discussion. 

Working or non-attending students must bring the case studies for discussion to the final exam.

The course also includes some seminars delivered by external academics / experts that will take place on line. The calendar of these meetings will be communicated by the instructor during the course.

Good knowledge of the fundamental principles of Microeconomics learned in the Applied Economics course during the  Engineering bachelor three-year degree. Good knowledge and understanding of the main theories of organizations learned during the Business Management and Organization course (GOA) of the first year of the Master's Degree in Management Engineering. It should be noted that the Management and Organization course business is a compusory exam to be sat prior to the Strategy and Innovation Management one.

Compulsory attendance of 70% of class hours unless students can prove worker status.

Attendance and active participation in at least 70% of the seminars on the case studies corresponds to 2 points of the final grade.

Students who do not meet these requirements will be required to discuss the cases assigned in class during the final exam. Non-attending students will be able to find the cases on the MS Teams page of the course.

MODULE 1 – STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

1. Strategy and value creation
2. Theoretical approaches for the study of strategic management
3. Strategy formation
4. Business unit strategy
5. Corporate level strategy
6. Network level strategy
7. The organizational context and leadership
8. The market and competitive context
9. The international context and internationalization strategies
10. Strategy change
11. Elements for the strategic management of the supply chain

MODULE 2 – STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF INNOVATION

1. Sources, forms, and models of innovation
2. Standards and dominant technological designs
3. Market entry decisions: First movers and late movers
4. Protecting innovations and patents
5. Strategies for innovation: products, projects, collaborations
6. Networks for innovation and Open innovation
7. Innovation teams
8. Focus: Digitalization strategies

REFERENCE TEXTS

For the academic year 2022-2023 the course will be held in English.

For the strategy module the recommended text is:

Understanding Strategic Management, Anthony E. Henry, Oxford University Press, 3rd edition (March 15, 2018)

For the innovation management module, the recommended text is:

Strategic Management of Technological Innovation, Melissa A. Schilling, Mc-Graw-Hill, sixth edition, 2019.

Slides and case studies for discussion will be distributed by the instructor in class and made available every week on the MS Teams page of the course.

It is the student's responsibility to check the new material uploaded every week and prepare for the discussion of the case studies.

Optional in-depth readings will also be posted on the MS Teams page each week.

1) Final oral exams on the topics of the program (up to 26 scores out of 30)

2) Preparation of a powerpoint presentation and class discussion of a case study that will be assigned by the instructor (up to 2 points out of 30). It should be noted that the work on the case study must be carried out and delivered before the main oral exam referred to in point 1).

3) Active participation in the seminars that will take place every week in the classroom based on the material distributed by the teacher (up to 2 points out of 30)

The following questions are purely illustrative and do NOT represent a complete list.

1) Difference between deliberate and emergent strategy

2) Processes of strategy formation

3) Portfolio matrices

4) Synergistic approach to the management of the corporation

5) Growth strategies for the corporation

6) Models of strategic change

6) Internationalization strategies

8) Leadership models

8) Technological standards

9) Advantages of the first mover

10) Risks in the innovation ecosystem

11) Network models for innovation

12) Strategic alliances

13) Innovation team structures