MAN 5112 Strategic Business Development and Innovation
MAN 5112 Strategic Business Development and Innovation
| Course code | Semester |
|---|---|
MAN 5113 | 2023 Autumn |
MAN 5114 | 2024 Spring |
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.)
- advanced knowledge on theories, models and techniques relevant to digitalization
- have detailed knowledge on value creation models
- have knowldge on different innovation models
- understand central aspects of technology evolution
- 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
- 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
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
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.
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 finding and choosing appropriate technology solutions. There will be in introduction to this as well as techniques for addressing these challenges. Central themes are enterprise architecture, architectural planning, and cost/benefit analysis. The Modules also encompass concrete exercises with some of the technologies that were demonstrated in Module 2.
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.
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 |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 40 Grouping: Individual Duration: 72 Hour(s) Comment: 72 hours individual written home exam, counts 40% of the final grade. Exam code: MAN 51121 Grading scale: ECTS Resit: Examination when next scheduled course |
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission 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 |
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
Programmet har sperrer mot tidligere programmer med samme navn og andre tidligere versjoner (Informasjonsteknologi; innovasjon og ledelse, E-enterprise; innovation and management)
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
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 |
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.