MAN 5112 Business Innovation and Management

MAN 5112 Business Innovation and Management

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: 
Master of Management
Semester: 
2018 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching language: 
Norwegian
Course type: 
Associate course
Course codes for multi- or associated courses.
MAN 5113 - 1. semester
MAN 5114 - 2. semester
Introduction

Strategic business development and innovation is about seeing new opportunities. This program focuses on the understanding of technology as an enabler of new ways of doing things, be it business models, strategies, products, services or processes. The exploitation of new opportunities is anchored in an understanding of the relationship between opportunities for change, execution of development- and innovation processes, technological evolution, knowledge resources and competencies, and technology and change management. The program is academically based within strategy, leadership, innovation, knowledge management and technology management.

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.

The program is aimed at anyone with an interest in innovation and business development, seeking an active role in this 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.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge
  • understand models of value creation
  • understand models of innovation
  • understand central aspects of technology evolution
  • understand the concept of technology architectures and their importance as platforms for innovation
  • understand models of technology management and change management
  • understand models of learning and knowledge sharing
  • understand models and principles that further an organization’s innovative capacity
     
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 acquisition
  • 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
  • be able to use modern tools for collaboration
Learning Outcome - Reflection
  • 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
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
  • What is a good idea? What is its value?
  • Business processes and enterprise architecture
  • Technology management and governance models
  • Knowledge sharing and collaboration in innovation work
  • Organizing for innovation and business development
Learning process and requirements to students

The programme is conducted through five course modules over two semesters with online activities, a total of approx. 150 lecturing hours.

The students are evaluated through continuous assessment of 4 separate, compulsory papers after module 2,3,4 and 5 (each counting 15%) and one final term paper ( counting 40%), all together counting for 18 credit hours. The continuous assessment can be written in groups of 2 or 3 persons.

The students must also pass an individual written exam, continuous assessment, in five parts, counting for 12 credit hours.
All evaluations must be passed to obtain a certificate for the program. T

The project work is an integral part of the program with partial deliveries and presentations in each module. This distributes the workload over the whole year.  

Feedback and advice
The advisory offering in this program includes oral feedback during presentations in the modules, written feedback and evaluations for partial deliveries, and meetings with advisors for individual groups.

Project tutorials differ in each Executive Master of Management programme. It will consist of personal tutorials and tutorials given in class. Generally the students may expect consulting tutorials, not evaluating tutorials. The total hours of tutorials offered is estimated to 4 hours per term paper.

Please note that while attendance is not compulsory in all programmes, it is the student's own responsibility to obtain any information provided in class that is not included on the course homepage/ itslearning or other

The term paper is included in the degree’s independent work of degree, cf national regulation on requirements for master’s degree, equivalent to 18 ECTS credits per. programme. For the Executive Master of Management degree, the independent work of degree represents the sum of term papers from three programmes.
 

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Additional information

1. module - Strategy, business development and technology evolution 

The module largely consists if 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.  

2. module - Technology, innovation and innovation processes 

The second module takes place in the technology park Sophia Antipolis, France. 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.  

3. module – Technology management – architecture as a platform for innovation 

This module will be about how to specify and develop technology solutions to innovative ideas. Central themes are enterprise architecture, architectural planning, and cost/benefit analysis.  

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 – Knowledge, knowledge sharing and innovation work 

Knowledge, knowledge sharing and learning – from successes as well as failures – is central to innovative work, and a basic requirement for innovative companies. This module will focus on the importance of organizational mechanisms for learning and knowledge sharing, including the development of technological tools to support learning and knowledge sharing. 

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. 

5. module – Organizing for innovation and business development 

This module will focus on how to develop the organization’s innovative capabilities. Themes will include the tension between ongoing operations and innovation/business development, establishing a culture of innovation, and how different governance models can further or hinder a company’s innovative ability. 

Through case discussions the participants will be invited to reflect on what they have learned in the program and how they can use their learning in practical situations.  

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. The conclusion will include a recommendation of whether and how the enterprise should make use of the project results.  

Online activities 

Throughout the program we will have online activities equaling about four days of teaching. These will include online classes (lectures and discussions), project work, and independent work (group and individual). Some online sessions will be in real time, others in the form of assignments with deadlines.  

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 (process change, reorganization, tool development, business model), a new product or service where IT is integral to the delivery, 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
At least four years of work experience. For applicants who have already completed a master’s degree, three years of work experience are required.

Exam categoryWeightInvigilationDurationSupport materialsGroupingComment exam
Exam category:
Submission
Form of assessment:
Written submission
Exam code:
MAN 51121
Grading scale:
ECTS
Grading rules:
Internal examiner
Resit:
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
100Yes5 Hour(s)
  • No support materials
Individual Individual written exam, counts 100% of the grade for individual written exam who counts 40% of the final grade. The written exam is completed with five part-examinations of 1 hour, one in each module, of which the four best count. Each sub-exam is scored on a scale 0-100, and grades are based on the four counting results. Participants who are missing a sub-exam or wish to improve one (and only one) part-examination can do this in a separate exam day after completion of the program. This exam day is also open for retake exams.
Exam category:
Submission
Form of assessment:
Written submission
Exam code:
MAN 51122
Grading scale:
Point scale
Grading rules:
Internal and external examiner
Resit:
All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
100No2 Semester(s)Group (1 - 3)Term paper, counts 100% of the grade for the term paper who counts 60% of the final grade. The project work is carried out with partial submissions in each collection and a final final report. All submissions are mandatory and must be passed in order to deliver final report. Failed submissions must be resubmitted with the next submission.
Exams:
Exam category:Submission
Form of assessment:Written submission
Weight:100
Invigilation:Yes
Grouping (size):Individual
Support materials:
  • No support materials
Duration:5 Hour(s)
Comment:Individual written exam, counts 100% of the grade for individual written exam who counts 40% of the final grade. The written exam is completed with five part-examinations of 1 hour, one in each module, of which the four best count. Each sub-exam is scored on a scale 0-100, and grades are based on the four counting results. Participants who are missing a sub-exam or wish to improve one (and only one) part-examination can do this in a separate exam day after completion of the program. This exam day is also open for retake exams.
Exam code: MAN 51121
Grading scale:ECTS
Resit:All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Exam category:Submission
Form of assessment:Written submission
Weight:100
Invigilation:No
Grouping (size):Group (1-3)
Support materials:
Duration:2 Semester(s)
Comment:Term paper, counts 100% of the grade for the term paper who counts 60% of the final grade. The project work is carried out with partial submissions in each collection and a final final report. All submissions are mandatory and must be passed in order to deliver final report. Failed submissions must be resubmitted with the next submission.
Exam code:MAN 51122
Grading scale:Point scale
Resit:All components must, as a main rule, be retaken during next scheduled course
Exam organisation: 
Continuous assessment
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Total weight: 
200
Sum workload: 
0

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.