MAN 5112 Strategic Business Development and Innovation

MAN 5112 Strategic Business Development and Innovation

Course code: 
MAN 5112
Department: 
Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Credits: 
30
Course coordinator: 
Ragnvald Sannes
Espen Andersen
Course name in Norwegian: 
Strategisk forretningsutvikling og innovasjon
Product category: 
Executive
Portfolio: 
Executive Master of Management
Semester: 
2024 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching language: 
Norwegian
Course type: 
Two semesters
Introduction

Strategic business development and innovation is about seeing new opportunities. This program focuses on the understanding of digital technology as an enabler of new ways of doing things (or doing new things), be it organizing, processes, customer experiences or business models. Digital technology is developing to both create and demand a high degree and pace of change in organizations and their surroundings.

Being able to explore and exploit new possibilities and deal with the high rate and pace of change will challenge common practices within business development and innovaition. The program is academically based within the disciplines of strategy, leadership, and innovation, with a focus on business and technology understanding, agile organizing, and innovation processes.

Central to the program is a course project where the participants work with a real developmental or innovative project in their organizations. The project should be based on a real problem, challenge or possibility, and aim for simplification, performance increase or renewal. The work is organized through a systematic learning process where the participants are guided through the various phases of innovation and development. The process will be based on theoretical models and frameworks, and practical tools for analysis and execution such as, for instance, Lean Startup and Design Thinking.

The program is aimed at anyone with an interest in innovation and business development, who are holding or seeking an active and responsible role within this field in their organization. No technology background or knowledge is required. The program is well suited for organizations with problems to solve or ideas to develop in a structured and collaborative context.

The program will have five modules, each lasting 3-4 days, one of them abroad. In addition there will be 2-3 online activities (mostly webinars) between each module. The modules will feature lectures, guest lecturers, case discussions, group and plenary discussions and work with projects. (If travel is not possible, the content of module 2 will be delivered digitally from our collaborators abroad.)

Learning outcomes - Knowledge
  • advanced knowledge on theories, models and techniques relevant to digitalization
  • have detailed knowledge on value creation models
  • have knowledge on different innovation models 
  • understand central aspects of technology evolution
  • have an overview of the concept Digital Corporate Responsibility and its impact on solution choice
Learning outcomes - Skills
  • be able to analyze business opportunities with technology
  • be able to identify attributes of future technology use
  • be able to describe complex situations using simple graphic depictions
  • be able to develop economic cost/benefit models for technology initiatives
  • be able to describe, develop and present an innovation idea
  • be able to execute an innovation process
  • be able to investigate and evaluate an innovative idea in multiple perspectives
General Competence
  • have a holistic perspective of technology, innovation and business development
  • have an understanding of the importance of different organizational roles, competencies and toolboxes in business development and innovation
  • contribute with novel thinking in innovations processes
  • be a digital change agent in own organisation
  • contribute to better and more sustainable solutions
Course content

For more detailed information, see the description for each module below.

  • Business development, value creation and technology
  • Innovation, innovation models and innovation processes
  • Technology development and new business opportunities
  • Business processes and enterprise architecture
  • Organizing for innovation and business development
Teaching and learning activities

The programme is conducted through five course modules over two semesters with online activities, a total of approximately 150 lecturing hours. Work requirements for the online activities are equivalent to three full teaching days. The allocation of time for various activities is tentative.

Students are evaluated based on a term paper, organised as partial submissions, counting 60% of the final grade and a home exam counting 40%.

General data tools will be used for sharing and collaboration during the course, as well as specific software for exercises/activities.

In all BI Executive courses and programs, there is a mutual requirement  
for the student and the course responsible regarding the involvement of the student's experience in the planning and implementation of courses, modules and programmes. This means that the student has the right and duty to get involved with their own knowledge and practice relevance, through the active sharing of their relevant experience and knowledge.
 

Software tools
Software defined under the section "Teaching and learning activities".
Additional information

Module 1 - Strategy, business development and technology evolution 

The module consists mostly of lectures and case discussions illustrating the relationship between strategic choice, business models and technology use. Central to the module is the role of technology in business models (value chains, value shops and value networks.)  

Project work: Idea development 

The project work is initiated during the module. All participants will develop and present an initial idea for a project work. Time will be allocated to brainstorming between the participants. The process continues towards module 2 when project groups are formed.  

Module 2 - Technology, innovation and innovation processes
The second module is arranged in collaboration with Accenture and (if possible) takes place in the technology park Sophia Antipolis, France (alternatively, delivered digitally from Accenture Technology Labs). The module will introduce future technologies, new business models and services, and examples of how leading companies organize for and work with innovation.  

Project work: Project description 

In this module, all project groups (which will be formed by now) will present a suggested project with a situation description and propositions for action.

Module 3 – Technology leadership and technology in practice 
Business development and innovation offers particular challenges when it comes to choosing solutions that are feasible and sustainable. The module willmioncldue tiopocs such as Digital Corporate Responsibility (CDR), digital platforms and enterprise architechture.  The modules also includes learning activities with hands-on use of techniques and tools. 

Project work: Suggested solution and expected effects 

For this module, the project groups will develop and present a well documented suggested solution for their projects, as well as a description about the expected effects of the solution. The suggested solution will be based on existing knowledge in the form of theories, models and documented experience from similar solutions.  

4. module – Digital, agile, networked 
Knowledge and learning is central to innovative companies. We observe that many companies change from being static, hierachical and slow to change, to become more agile, network oriented and responsive. This module will focus on trends, experience and mechanisms to succeed with this organizational transition. 

Project work: Adjustment of idea, solution and effects.  

For this module, participants will have done interviews with chosen stakeholders for their idea, their suggested solution and expected effects. Based on this information they will analyze and, if necessary, adjust their ideas, suggested solutions and expected effects. If an alternative method (such as Lean Startup or Design Thinking) is used, focus will be adjusted accordingly.

5. module – Digital change agents 
This module will focus on how to take a role as a digital change agent and contribut to developing the organization’s innovative capabilities. 

Project work: Conclusion  

For this module, the participants will have done the whole project work and will have reached a conclusion about whether the suggested solutions should be implemented or not. If an alternative method (such as Lean Startup or Design Thinking) is used, focus will be adjusted accordingly.

Online activities 

Throughout the program we will have online activities equaling about four days of teaching. These will include webinars and other online learning activities.

Project work 

The project work focuses on executing an evaluation of an innovation idea. The innovation idea can be an improvement project in an existing organization or development of new business ideas or models.

Qualifications

Bachelor degree, corresponding to 180 credits from an accredited university, university college or similar educational institution. The applicant must be at least 25 years of age and at least four years of work experience. For applicants who have already completed a master’s degree, three years of work experience are required.

Disclaimer 

Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this. 

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Submission PDF
Exam/hand-in semester: 
Second Semester
Weight: 
40
Grouping: 
Individual
Duration: 
2 Semester(s)
Comment: 
Individual submission of a personal reflection note and learning log linked to the program and project work. This is submitted after the project work has been delivered.
Exam code: 
MAN 51121
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination when next scheduled course
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Portfolio Assessment PDF
Exam/hand-in semester: 
Second Semester
Weight: 
60
Grouping: 
Group (2 - 3)
Duration: 
2 Semester(s)
Comment: 
Project assignment, accounts for 60% of the final grade.

The project assignment is organized as a portfolio assessment with submissions and presentations at module 2, 3, and 4. Students receive feedback along the way during presentations and guidance. At the last module, everyone should present a draft portfolio as a basis for presentation and feedback. The portfolio is compiled in one document and submitted as a whole after the last gathering.

The project assignment is written in groups of 2 or 3 students, and should be about a (at least initially) real and/or feasible innovation idea.
Exam code: 
MAN 51122
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination when next scheduled course
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
Total weight: 
100
Reduction description

Programmet har sperrer mot tidligere programmer med samme navn og andre tidligere versjoner (Informasjonsteknologi; innovasjon og ledelse, E-enterprise; innovation and management)

Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
150 Hour(s)
Prepare for teaching
150 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
500 Hour(s)
Self study, term paper and exam
Sum workload: 
800

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 30 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 800 hours.