BMGT45080 Technology & Innovation Strategy

Academic Year 2023/2024

Technology and innovation are key strategic levers for competitive advantage, and their importance has further increased in today's digital economy. We take the perspective of CEOs and directors of large corporations to guide students through the understanding of how technological changes affect leading organizations, why they often fail to adapt, what are the strategies that new entrants use to attack through innovation, and how established companies can/should react in high-velocity and competitive environments.

We start the course by examining the models of technological change and disruption elaborated in the ‘70’s-‘90’s at HBS and the MIT, and gradually we move to the recent scientific advancements until 2022. We examine major adaptation models and consider the strategic role of core competencies, complementary assets, and legal protection mechanisms to create and capture value. We also learn theories and applications of platforms and ecosystems, open innovation, business model innovation, and also reflect on sustainable innovations.

To make the content practical and useful, we discuss several case studies, simulations, examples, and videos. This course stimulates a high level of engagement and students practice multiple skills. At the ends of course, students have an individual examination and then present innovative group projects in team.

The objective of this course is to equip students with practically relevant frameworks and real evidence of how to develop technology and innovation strategies to gain and sustain competitive advantage.